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Michael B. Rynowecer

I admit it.
I am The Mad Clientist

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.

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

The Mad Clientist

Secrets from The MAD Clientist Diary: 7 Redacted Client Feedback Interviews — Antics and Unscripted Reality

We conduct an enormous number of client interviews at BTI. We have conducted more than 300 just this year. We hear a lot. It covers the spectrum and always brings an unexpected surprise. Most good — while others grab your attention — immediately. These 7 mini cases offer a learning…
The Mad Clientist

6 Tactics to Immediately Improve Your Pitches and Proposals

Law firm marketers have boundless energy around pitches and RFPs — pro and con. As do clients and the attorneys working on these pitches and pursuits. We heard from them all — in droves after our last 2 posts. They all focused on 2 schools of thought: What clients want…
The Mad Clientist

The 30 Law Firms Giving Clients the Best Pitch

“Very focused on our business and industry.” Senior Corporate Counsel, Large Tech Company “Thoroughly analyzed our case and provided a very detailed presentation. It was impressive.” Deputy General Counsel – Litigation, Leading Financial Service Organization “Very effective in building a presentation around our unique legal needs and how they can…
The Mad Clientist

RFPs Hit a Screeching Halt

Everyone hates RFPs. Clients. Law firms. And now clients are changing how they use them. They are not. Like so many things arising from the pandemic era — we are looking at extremes. Only 11.2% of clients are preparing to issue an RFP, with another 10.2% thinking about it. This…