For the CLM implementation to be successful, empower the business users and remove their fear. Otherwise, they will go against it. And the only way to do this is to educate them. There’s so much anxiety and fear about failure in picking the right solutions. What may contribute to this conundrum is that there’s so much data and noise in the market and the users are less educated about CLM. Matt Patel, an Enterprise Software Professional and Co-founder of Malbek, joins us today to share his expertise in CLM implementation and his valuable insights about how to start CLM, selecting the right tools, and dealing with failure.

“Don't look for a vendor that says yes to everything, right? If somebody says yes to everything, that's like God's gift to CLM, and the best thing on the planet, but that doesn't exist. So it's okay to see some nos on the list and not being the vendor because they may not have everything you possibly want. In fact, everything you have on your list, you probably don't need anyways.”

• Matt Patel

Hear more about:

• The fear of failing in picking the right solutions and the fear about selecting a vendor, implementing it and failing.

• The two generations of CLM platforms: older ones built 10-20 years ago, and newer ones built in the last 5-7 years. The older platforms are feature-rich but may require significant IT support and customization. The newer platforms are no-code, configurable solutions that are more cost-effective and user-friendly.

• Focusing on the negative use cases, the pricing and the pitfalls where the fear occurs and examine how the CLM platform performs under the hood. Building live templates and testing integrations can help understand the ownership experience.

• Customer success management becoming more prominent, providing ongoing support, usage monitoring, and assistance in making the most out of the CLM system.

• The fear of buying CLM for being costly.  You are going to get what you pay for. CLM is an enterprise solution. 

• The importance of limiting customizations and the fear of having to replicate a process. Let these tools streamline and make best practices based CLM solutions that just work and are easy to administer and use.

• Organizations leveraging SI firms and partners. The modern tools are more about process design and making customers change the way they currently do things to align with best practices so that their future maintenance and administration is easier.​​

• Tips about how to be successful in your CLM implementation once the vendor has been picked.

For more great lessons from the field, and all the CLM content, connect with us here: 

• Website: https://www.theclmrx.com
• The CLM Rx Book: https://a.co/d/8XA2xYC
• The CLM Rx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clm-rx/
• Kami Paulsen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamipaulsen/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theclmrx

If you implement Contract Lifecycle Management Software ("CLM"), have purchased CLM, are considering purchasing CLM, or expanding your existing CLM footprint, this channel is for you! Kami speaks to CLM practitioners, CLM Vendors, and visionaries on the most pressing topics in the space. She shares practical advice based on her 15 years implementing various CLM software tools for organizations of all sizes, in every vertical.