The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart-Wow! eBook

The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart book cover

The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart

Author(s): Cindy Anderson (Author), Anthony Marshall (Author)

Publisher: Wiley
Publication Date: 18 Feb. 2025
Edition: 1st
Language: English
Print length: 240 pages
ISBN-10: 1394308914
ISBN-13: 9781394308910

Book Description

The power of corporate thought leadership, finally quantified through expansive rigorous empirical research

The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart reveals the findings of rigorious research conducted by authors Anthony Marshall and Cindy Anderson, leaders at IBM’s Institute for Business Value (IBV), where they surveyed more than 4,000 C-level executives―half CEOs, half CFOs, CSCOs, CTOs and CIOs―to ask about their consumption of thought leadership content and the influence it has on their business purchase decisions and investments, as well as the use of generative AI in the production and consumption of thought leadership. The book also includes tools such as an “value calculator” that empowers every reader to assess the potential return for their specific organization.

This book reveals the surprising findings of the research and answers questions, such as:

How many people consume thought leadership and in what form?
How many CEOs and executives say they have made a purchase decision?
How much corporate spending is driven by thought leadership?
How are organizations that produce thought leadership materials perceived and how are they rewarded?

The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart is an essential read for all business leaders seeking to finally understand the true business value of thought leadership initiatives.

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From the Inside Flap

The ROI of Thought Leadership: Calculating the Value that Sets Organizations Apart is based on findings from the world’s most extensive study of the value of thought leadership―findings that will put the discipline on the map as an opportunity no organization will want to miss.

Between 2021 and 2023, authors Cindy Anderson and Anthony Marshall, together with IBM’s Institute for Business Value (IBV), which they lead, surveyed more than 4,000 C-level executives to ask about their consumption of thought leadership content and the influence it has on their business purchase decisions and investments, as well as the use of generative AI in the production and consumption of thought leadership.

The results were astounding. Across industries and geographies, executives reported that the thought leadership they consume not only helps them make better business decisions (96%), but it also directly influences their buying decisions―87% of all executives said they had made a purchase decision in the last 90 days based on the thought leadership they consume.

The data from this study also enabled the authors to calculate ROI on thought leadership―for the first time ever. Not only do executives rely on it, the return on investment for thought leadership makes it a must-have capability for any organization looking to grow the business. Marketing leaders now have budget justification for a thought leadership program, and the book includes a handy ROI calculator.

The ROI of Thought Leadership is the ultimate reference to guide those who want to claim their share of today’s thought leadership opportunity and reap its now proven business value.

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR The ROI of Thought Leadership

“Thought leadership as a revenue generator may be a new concept to most, but this book highlights data proving that business leaders leverage this information to make better business decisions and drive critical purchases. A must-read for marketers and executives who want to justify thought leadership spend.”
―BARRI RAFFERTY, CEO, Americas, Sodali & Co.

“Now we know why we do thought leadership―it pays. This book shows us the value of thought leadership and gives a practical guide on how to do it well.”
―RICHARD WHITTINGTON, Professor of Strategic Management, University of Oxford

“By quantifying the value of thought leadership, Cindy and Anthony address a crucial gap in how we assess its influence. This book provides a much-needed framework and metrics for ensuring that the billions spent annually on thought leadership are backed by credible data and real impact. Their work sets a new standard for how content producers can create authoritative, impactful insights and how content consumers can use the output to drive business decisions.”
―LISA HIGGINS, President and CEO, APQC and the Global Thought Leadership Institute (GTLI) at APQC

“Measuring societal impact of thought leadership is a formidable task for management education today. Anderson and Marshall offer an ideal desk copy for business deans and faculty navigating thought leadership ROI within an educational context.”
―JIN WANG, PhD, Dean, College of Business and Public Management, Kean University

“In The ROI of Thought Leadership Cindy Anderson and Anthony Marshall present groundbreaking research that quantifies the immense value of thought leadership for the first time. Their work provides concrete data and practical tools that marketers and executives can use to justify and maximize their investment in thought leadership. This book is a practical, hands-on guide to elevating your marketing strategy and driving significant business results.”
―RICARDO VIANA VARGAS, PhD, Former Director, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Author

About the Author

Cindy Anderson is the Chief Marketing Officer/Global Lead for Engagement & Eminence at IBM’s IBV. She has co-authored research reports and published numerous articles and currently oversees a team of 30 editors, designers, and social media/email marketers.

Anthony Marshall is Senior Research Director of thought leadership at IBM’s IBV, leading the top-rated thought leadership and analysis program. He regularly speaks and publishes on technology topics, and oversees a global team of 60 technology and industry experts, statisticians, economists, and analysts.

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