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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

New Research – The Law Firms Best for Women Associates

Women associates report 17% lower job satisfaction than men – up from 13% in 2022. Things are getting worse and harder for the women. Our brand new BTI Associate Satisfaction A-Listers 2026 reveals 13 pervasive reasons – the top 5 include: 54% see lower commitment to help develop their career…
The Mad Clientist

189 Law Firms with the Highest Associate Job Satisfaction

Associates don’t leave for comp – they leave for job experience failures and partner behavior. When these 7 break down – associates are out the door: Abundant and clear commitment to accelerate associates’ careers Meaningful and hyper-relevant training High-impact mentoring Clear career growth path within their firm Strong job satisfaction…
The Mad Clientist

CMOs Name Today’s 6 Top BD Investments

87% of firms are increasing BD budgets. But this hides the real story: Law firms are pouring money into business development. They are trying to fix a set of activities characterized by: Uneven performance across partners Partner dependency for execution Widely disparate, informal, partner-specific systems Firms are attacking the problem…
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…