Varun's response is entirely focused on technical aspects of implementing open telemetry in AWS Lambda, which is irrelevant to the question about influencing a cross-functional team to adopt a new marketing strategy. He does not provide any insights or examples related to marketing strategy adoption, collaboration, or team engagement, which are essential for the Marketing Specialist role. The benchmark response effectively outlines a specific experience of influencing a team, detailing the steps taken to ensure buy-in and collaboration, including workshops, pilot projects, and regular communication. Varun should have shared a relevant experience where he influenced a cross-functional team, discussed the strategies employed to gain support, and highlighted the positive outcomes achieved. For improvement, he could say, "In a previous role, I influenced a cross-functional team to adopt a digital-first marketing strategy by organizing a workshop to present its benefits. I encouraged open dialogue and collaborated on a pilot project that showcased early successes, leading to improved collaboration and successful implementation."