[AS SEEN IN CUSTOMER THINK] The CMO and CIO roles are more closely connected and aligned than ever on the power of digital transformation, representing an increasingly synergistic opportunity to drive change together.

IBM recently released its 2015 C-suite study, which surveyed 5,000+ C-suite leaders from 21 industries and 70 countries. It emphasizes the same dominant theme we heard in the hundreds of c-level interviews we conducted this year—an obsession with disruption. We share some of the related issues—and specific quotes—from our own 2015 conversations that relate to and reinforce the findings in IBM’s newest study.

[AS QUOTED IN CIO | INSIGHTS] Thoughts on the origin and value of several unlikely B2B partnerships.

[AS SEEN IN LOYALTY360] Customers are more marketing savvy than ever and will immediately question whether your brand is authentic and motivated by their best interest or the company’s self-preservation. What do authentic customer-centric companies do differently than those motivated by self-preservation?

[AS SEEN IN CUSTOMER THINK] Will big data metrics be able to tell you what customers really want from your business?

[AS SEEN IN CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER]: "We have found three core ingredients in C-suite-worthy content: client relevance, credibility, and innovative value … and the elusive content trifecta is securing a topic in the sweet spot where those three come together."

Should you include prospects in executive engagement programs? The answer is a resounding “it depends.” Our recommendations differ depending on whether you're talking about an advisory boards, executive event, or market research.

If your advisory board is struggling—or you’re just getting started and want to avoid the most common pitfall—consider carefully:Is the person in the facilitator’s chair really ready to…facilitate? We share some of the common downfalls of board leaders and facilitators—and a checklist of characteristics that strong leaders share.

[AS SEEN IN CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER] "Connecting with C-level clients remains an ongoing challenge for marketers. More should consider creating a client advisory board, which, when done right, provides traction with your most coveted clients. Let’s start by clarifying the concept..."