CMO Spotlight | Bill Koleszar - National Spine & Pain Centers

The CMO Spotlight is a chance to get an inside look into the minds and journeys of high-performing marketing leaders. 

Setup CEO, Joe Koufman, virtually sat down with Bill Koleszar, the Chief Marketing Officer of National Spine & Pain Centers, to talk about his calling to help other marketers, the importance of operational excellence, and his thirst for learning.

WATCH + READ THE RECAP BELOW (scroll to the end for the full interview)

Q1 | Is there any advice you would like to share?

“There are only two things you can control: your attitude and your productivity.”

Koleszar believes in putting in good work while in good spirits and expects that attitude from his colleagues.

Q2 | What is your superpower?

“I have an affinity for strategy and have embraced data, analytics, and MarTech.”

Koleszar also has consistent success “identifying, developing, and retaining amazing talent.” He enjoys encouraging people and nurturing relationships to drive people to be their best. 

Q3 | Where do you find inspiration?

“I get my inspiration from ordinary people who do extraordinary things.”

Koleszar is influenced by historical figures who mastered leadership. He noted the Apollo 13 story as a source of inspiration. “They had the cards stacked against them, and yet, they found a way. There are going to be times in your career when the odds are stacked against you, and you have to find a way..so that's inspiring.” 

Koleszar believes to be a great leader, you have to be willing to learn.

Q4 | What quote, book, or article inspires you?

Koleszar referenced several pieces that inspired him in the interview. 

He quoted Calvin Coolidge, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Along with persistence, Koleszar appreciates a story about underdogs overcoming adversity. He believes there are a lot of lessons that we can learn from their stories. 

His third source of inspiration is "The Service Profit Chain" that states “if you treat your employees well, they will treat your customers well.” This overall philosophy leads to success. Koleszar cited Chick-fil-A as an example that practices this model well by not only integrating an amazing consumer-facing culture, but also maintaining operational excellence. “The brand is consistent with their operational capabilities and it's just remarkable.”

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For more marketing leadership advice and a view into the mindset of marketing executives in various industries, be sure to watch the full interview with Bill Koleszar, and keep an eye out for more thought leadership from our CMO Spotlights.

Watch the full interview to the right.