According to a survey by McKinsey, 75% of product launches fail due to poor cross-functional alignment. When you're caught between marketing and engineering teams, data-driven decision-making can help resolve the conflict. Start by assessing the market need through customer feedback and competitor analysis. Consider the engineering team's technical feasibility, while also evaluating the marketing team's ability to create an appealing value proposition. Collaborating on a unified product vision that combines both perspectives will likely lead to a more balanced and effective strategy. Focus on shared goals and measurable outcomes to find common ground.

I'd prioritize the strategy that aligns with our long-term vision and maximizes customer value. This means considering both marketing and engineering inputs. If the marketing team's strategy drives immediate user acquisition and engagement, but compromises product quality or long-term sustainability, it might be a short-sighted win. Conversely, if the engineering team's strategy focuses on technical perfection without considering market demand or user experience, it risks product failure. The optimal strategy likely lies somewhere in the middle, balancing innovation, user experience, and market impact. Ultimately, the decision should be data-driven, considering factors like user feedback, market trends, and competitor analysis.

In this landscape, marketing plays a critical role. Jason Amunwa says: Having both teams pulling in the same direction confers massive benefits to your product, including: - Stronger retention (and the associated competitive advantage) - A more seamless customer experience - Greater focus on more impactful work, instead of chasing vanity metrics that don’t actually help the business - Less redundant work — Marketing knows things that can make Product’s life much easier, and vice versa. All the evidence —and my own experience — suggests there are four pillars that underpin a successful relationship between marketing and product teams. Two of these are around mindset shifts. Two are practical approaches that ease day-to-day interactions.

- **Align on common goals**: Ensure both teams understand the product’s value and customer needs. - **Evaluate data**: Consider market research and technical feasibility. - **Balance short-term and long-term**: Weigh marketing’s immediate impact with engineering’s long-term viability. - **Collaborate for compromise**: Integrate insights from both teams for a well-rounded strategy. - **Prioritize customer experience**: Focus on what will deliver the best value to your target audience.