CMO First 90 Days Strategy Framework
Marketing LeadershipadvancedClaude 3.5 Sonnet is ideal for this prompt because it excels at creating comprehensive strategic frameworks with nuanced stakeholder considerations and structured thinking. GPT-4o is also strong for generating detailed checklists and actionable templates. For maximum depth, use Claude for the strategic framework, then use GPT-4o to expand specific sections like interview questions or presentation outlines.
When to Use This Prompt
Use this prompt when you've just been promoted to CMO or are starting a new CMO role and need a structured onboarding plan. It's ideal for creating a credible first impression with leadership while simultaneously diagnosing organizational challenges and building team confidence during a critical transition period.
The Prompt
I am a newly appointed CMO at [COMPANY NAME], a [INDUSTRY] company with [COMPANY SIZE] employees and [ANNUAL REVENUE]. My predecessor [BRIEF CONTEXT: left/promoted/retired]. I have [YOUR BACKGROUND: e.g., 'agency background,' 'product marketing focus,' 'enterprise B2B experience'].
## Current State Assessment
- Marketing team size: [NUMBER] people
- Current annual marketing budget: $[AMOUNT]
- Key marketing channels: [LIST: e.g., 'paid search, content marketing, events']
- Major challenges I've identified: [LIST 2-3]
- Stakeholder sentiment: [DESCRIBE: e.g., 'skeptical of marketing ROI,' 'expecting rapid growth']
## Business Context
- Primary business goal for next 12 months: [GOAL]
- Key revenue targets: $[AMOUNT]
- Market position: [DESCRIBE: e.g., 'market leader,' 'challenger brand,' 'emerging player']
- Competitive landscape: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
## My Priorities
I want to create a strategic 90-day plan that will:
1. Establish credibility with the executive team
2. Identify quick wins to build momentum
3. Diagnose systemic marketing challenges
4. Build a foundation for long-term transformation
## Deliverables Needed
Provide a detailed 90-day CMO onboarding strategy that includes:
### Phase 1: Listen & Learn (Days 1-30)
- Key stakeholders to interview (by role and priority)
- Critical questions to ask about marketing performance, strategy, and team dynamics
- Data and metrics to request immediately
- Competitive and market analysis framework
- Internal audit checklist for marketing operations
### Phase 2: Diagnose & Plan (Days 31-60)
- Framework for identifying 2-3 quick wins that demonstrate marketing impact
- Approach for conducting a comprehensive marketing audit
- Template for stakeholder feedback synthesis
- Strategic priorities recommendation process
- Team assessment criteria and retention strategy
### Phase 3: Communicate & Execute (Days 61-90)
- 100-day marketing strategy outline (structure and key sections)
- Executive presentation framework for board/C-suite
- Team communication plan and town hall agenda
- First initiatives to launch
- Success metrics and reporting cadence
## Output Format
Structure the response with clear sections, actionable checklists, sample questions, and decision trees where applicable. Include specific examples relevant to [INDUSTRY]. Provide templates I can customize immediately.
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Tips for Best Results
- 1.Customize the 'Current State Assessment' section with your actual company data—specificity dramatically improves the relevance and applicability of the output to your situation.
- 2.After generating the strategy, ask follow-up prompts for specific sections: 'Generate 25 specific interview questions for the VP of Sales' or 'Create a detailed 100-day marketing strategy document outline for [your company].'
- 3.Use the quick wins section to build political capital—pick 2-3 initiatives that will visibly impact revenue or sales perception within 60 days, not just long-term brand building.
- 4.Request a second output asking the AI to create a 'Day 1 Checklist' and 'Week 1 Calendar' to operationalize the strategy—frameworks are valuable but execution timing matters most in your first 90 days.
Example Output
# CMO 90-Day Strategy: SaaS B2B Example
## Phase 1: Listen & Learn (Days 1-30)
### Priority Stakeholder Interviews
**Executive Team (Week 1)**
- CEO: What are your expectations for marketing's contribution to revenue? What's frustrating you most about current marketing performance?
- CFO: How is marketing budget allocated today? What ROI metrics matter most to you?
- VP Sales: Where are leads coming from? What quality issues exist? What messaging resonates with your best customers?
**Marketing Team (Week 2)**
- Individual 1:1s with all direct reports
- Team meeting to discuss vision, challenges, and opportunities
- Key question: What's one thing you'd change about how marketing operates?
**Board/Investors (Week 3)**
- What's the board's perspective on marketing's role in growth?
- What competitive threats concern them most?
### Critical Data to Request
- Last 24 months of marketing spend by channel
- Lead generation volume and quality metrics
- Customer acquisition cost by source
- Marketing team org chart and compensation
- Current marketing strategy document (if exists)
- Customer win/loss analysis
- Brand perception study results
### Competitive Analysis Framework
1. Identify top 5 competitors
2. Analyze their messaging, positioning, and channels
3. Review their content strategy and thought leadership
4. Assess their team size and structure (LinkedIn)
5. Document gaps vs. our positioning
## Phase 2: Diagnose & Plan (Days 31-60)
### Quick Win Identification
**Criteria for Quick Wins:**
- Can be executed in 30-45 days
- Requires minimal budget
- Demonstrates clear ROI
- Builds team morale
**Potential Quick Wins:**
1. Audit and optimize top-performing landing pages (improve conversion by 15-20%)
2. Launch customer case study program (generate 3-4 high-quality assets)
3. Implement marketing-sales SLA with weekly sync (improve lead quality perception)
4. Create competitive battle cards for sales team (immediate sales enablement)
5. Establish monthly marketing metrics dashboard (transparency with leadership)
### Marketing Audit Checklist
- Website: UX, messaging clarity, conversion paths
- Content: Audit existing content, identify gaps, assess quality
- Demand generation: Channel performance, cost per lead, conversion rates
- Brand: Logo usage, messaging consistency, brand guidelines compliance
- Tools & technology: Stack assessment, integration gaps, utilization rates
- Team: Skills gaps, capacity constraints, training needs
## Phase 3: Communicate & Execute (Days 61-90)
### 100-Day Marketing Strategy Outline
**Section 1: Market Opportunity**
- TAM analysis and growth potential
- Competitive positioning
- Customer insights and buying behavior
**Section 2: Marketing Objectives**
- Revenue contribution target
- Lead generation goals by source
- Brand awareness metrics
- Customer retention/expansion goals
**Section 3: Strategic Initiatives**
- Demand generation overhaul
- Content marketing program
- Sales enablement
- Customer marketing
- Brand positioning
**Section 4: Organizational Changes**
- Team structure recommendations
- Skill gaps and hiring plan
- Tools and technology investments
**Section 5: Metrics & Accountability**
- Monthly reporting dashboard
- Lead quality SLA
- Pipeline contribution
- Marketing efficiency ratio
### Executive Presentation (60 minutes)
- 10 min: Market opportunity and competitive landscape
- 15 min: Current state assessment and key findings
- 20 min: Strategic priorities and initiatives
- 10 min: Team and organizational changes
- 5 min: 12-month roadmap and investment requirements
### First Initiatives to Launch
1. Marketing-sales alignment meeting (weekly cadence)
2. Customer advisory board formation
3. Content calendar for next quarter
4. Lead scoring model implementation
5. Marketing metrics dashboard launch
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