I have conducted and directed more than 20,000 client feedback interviews and interviewed 5,000 of the best and biggest rainmakers. I use all this to do one thing – help my clients grow their clients. My love of strategy and hitting the sweet spot with clients in revenue generation led to starting BTI more than 30 years ago.
Michael B. Rynowecer
I admit it.
I am The Mad Clientist
Every week, you can find me sharing legal industry news, actionable and critical insights from BTI’s independent research, powerful client analytics every firm can use, market outlook commentary and much more at my blog—The Mad Clientist.
As President and Founder of BTI, Michael has drawn on in-depth independent research to develop high-impact client feedback programs, brand preference and perception rankings, innovative business development counsel and a wide-range of strategic consulting to organizations who want to improve performance and drive growth. Throughout his career, he has been a trusted advisor to top legal decision makers. His clients include 6 of the Fortune 10 as well as more than 200 professional services firms across the globe.
Michael is also a fixture in the business press, commenting on markets, trends and strategies. He has written extensively about BTI’s world-class client feedback methodology and about the ‘17 Activities’ that BTI’s research has revealed as statistically proven to drive superior client relationships. His most recent book Clientelligence® is a definitive guide of powerful insights for client acquisition, retention, new business and revenue generation. Rated by Kirkus Reviews as a “treasure trove of useful intelligence for business improvement,” the book details research-backed and unique activities for firms to embark upon to drive superior client relationships.
Michael has authored more than 40 publications on all aspects of client relationships, client service, client feedback, business development and strategy.
BSBA Syracuse University
MBA Babson College
10 Years, Practice Leader, Pwc
Founded BTI in 1989
Expertise in Client Feedback, Business Development & Client Service for 30+ years
Latest Insight from The Mad Clientist
More Wins, Less Work: The New BTI RFP Go/No-Go Checklist
Law firms don’t lose RFPs because they’re unqualified. They lose because it never made sense to respond in the first place. Most RFPs are decided before they’re ever sent. The client already knows who they want. The rest of the field is there to justify a decision already made. Yet…
Was Hybrid Actually the Best Thing to Happen to Mentoring?
Law firms spent years trying to fix associate mentoring. Training programs. Shadowing. Formal initiatives. None moved the needle. Hybrid work did – without trying. More than 5,000 associate responses show mentoring didn’t just survive – it improved. 34% of associates report excellent mentoring in 2026 30% reported excellent mentoring in…
Chorus or Chaos: Partners Rate BD Cultures
Culture kills business development faster than anything else. The best rainmakers know it instantly – and they don’t fix it. They leave – or stop playing by your rules. More than 1,000 attorneys describe their business development culture in one of 3 ways: Strategically supportive Functional Chaotic and unfocused The…
The Law Firms Absolutely Best at Business Development – by Name and Why
Every winning business development behavior begins with the same trigger: an attorney listening beyond the words. Most lawyers think they’re doing this. Clients disagree. This is the dividing line of business development. This Super Listening is the first – and most critical – of 6 business development activities clients use…