10 Marketing Time-Wasters – And How To Fix Them
Operations specialist Oliver Ramirez identifies 10 time trip-wires all marketing leaders need to avoid… Marketing teams constantly battle against a lack of time. Campaign deadlines loom, content calendars overflow, and inefficiencies quietly drain productivity. The best teams are not just creative; they operate with precision. Here are ten of the biggest time wasters in marketing and the process improvements that will help your team regain control. 1. Last-Minute Requests Why it’s a problem: Constantly shifting priorities disrupt workflows and drain focus. Fix: Introduce a structured request intake system with clear timelines and prioritisation rules. Evaluate new requests using a simple impact versus effort framework. Ask yourself: Is there a process in place to manage unexpected tasks without disrupting planned work? 2. Inefficient Email Communication Why it’s a problem: Critical details get lost in long email threads, slowing decisions and causing confusion. Fix: Consolidate communication depending on the platform. Establish clear guidelines on when to email versus when to use instant messaging or comments on shared documents. Ask yourself: How much time is wasted searching for lost information? 3. Unclear Roles and Responsibilities Why it’s a problem: When tasks lack clear ownership, they get delayed or duplicated. Fix: Assign a single accountable person for every key process. Define decision-making structures so team members know who approves what, reducing unnecessary back-and-forth. Ask yourself: Does every workflow have a designated owner (per step)? 4. Unproductive Meetings Why it’s a problem: Meetings consume valuable time without always leading to decisions or actions. Fix: Require a clear agenda for every meeting. Shift updates to written formats using project management tools. Keep discussions structured, time-boxed, and outcome-focused. Ask yourself: Are you fully leveraging your project management tools? 5. Manual, Repetitive Work Why it’s a problem: Too much time is spent on tasks that could be automated. Fix: Identify repetitive processes such as reporting, email sequences, and asset approvals. Leverage automation tools to streamline workflows and free up time for strategic work. Ask yourself: What percentage of daily tasks could be automated? 6. A Complex and Disjointed Tech Stack Why it’s a problem: Using too many disconnected tools creates inefficiencies and unnecessary manual work. Fix: Conduct a technology audit. Remove redundant platforms and ensure seamless integrations across systems to improve efficiency. Ask yourself: Does your tech stack simplify work or add complexity? […]