Use this checklist to evaluate your current marketing maturity and identify whether external strategic marketing support could add significant value 

How many of the statements below are true for your business?

Strategic Clarity

☑️ We have a documented marketing strategy that is aligned with business goals.

☑️ Our value proposition is well-articulated, known by all team members, and resonates with our customers.

☑️ We know exactly who our ideal customer is, what they care about, and how best to reach them.

☑️ We know our market position and how that position sets us apart from our competitors.

Messaging & Brand

☑️ Our messaging is consistent across all channels (website, sales materials, investor decks etc).

☑️ We have a clear and compelling brand story that connects both emotionally and rationally.

☑️ Our entire team can confidently explain what we do and why it matters, in under 20 seconds.

Lead Generation

☑️ We have a reliable, repeatable process for generating qualified leads.

☑️ We know which channels drive the best return on investment (ROI) and we’re investing in them.

☑️ We’re not overly reliant on founder-led sales or network referrals.

Metrics & Measurement

☑️ We track key marketing KPIs (e.g. Customer acquisition cost (CAC), Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) vs Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs), lead scoring and conversion rates).

☑️ We use data to inform decisions, not just gut instinct.

☑️ We can clearly link marketing activity to business outcomes.

Team & Capability

☑️ We have dedicated internal marketing resources, who do not require more strategic direction.

☑️ We are ready to invest in a full-time CMO / Marketing Director.

☑️ We have the resources in-house to recruit, build or upskill our marketing team.

If you ticked all 16 items then, honestly, you don't need an external marketing consultant. 

If you ticked 6 to 10 items you would benefit from a marketing review to help fine tune and sharpen your strategy and tactics. 

If you've ticked less than 6 items you are definitely ready to scale up your marketing and the lack of an intentional marketing strategy is likely holding your business back. A strategic marketing partner can help you do this faster, smarter, and with less risk and less financial commitment than going all in with a new senior marketing hire.

How Melles Consulting can help

We work with scale-ups to:

• Build marketing strategies that drive growth

• Clarify positioning and messaging

• Create demand generation plans that work

• Provide CMO-level insight—without the full-time cost