Ed Breault
Contracts: The Ultimate Digital Asset
In the ever-shifting landscape of modern business, where technology and innovation constantly reshape the way we operate, there exists a fundamental thread that weaves through the tapestry of transactions and relationships: contracts. These seemingly unassuming documents are the lifeblood of commerce, the glue that binds organizations, partners, and customers.
As I reflect upon my transformative journey spanning nearly two decades in marketing technology, I’ve traversed the intricate alleyways of digital asset management (DAM) and entered the LegalTech realm. From my days at the helm of Aprimo, driving marketing technology forward, to my present role at Malbek, spearheading a digital contract revolution, I’ve come to recognize that contracts are more than just legal documents.
At the intersection of these two worlds, there emerges an intriguing concept: contracts are the ultimate digital asset that defines the boundaries and aspirations of modern business. But why do contracts deserve this title? Let’s explore.
The Unparalleled Significance of Contracts
- The Ubiquity of Contracts:
Every operational facet of a business, irrespective of its magnitude, sector, or operating mode, pivots on contracts. Whether it’s the intricate web of employment agreements or the expansive realm of vendor contracts, these instruments compose a ballet of business proceedings. The omnipresence of contracts, coupled with their significant impact, solidifies their stature as an asset contributing to the stability and growth of the business. - Contracts as Living Entities:
Similarly, digital assets do not just follow a linear ‘conception to archive’ path but run a full lifecycle of stages. Whether it is negotiating with a counterparty, redlining pivotal amendments, performance monitoring, or periodic renewals, the ceaseless evolution renders contract management an arena jam-packed with challenges yet brimming with opportunities. - The Binding Power of Commitment:
While the allure of a beautifully crafted infographic or the depth of a well-researched e-book cannot be understated, contracts command a distinctive reverence. They transcend the realms of mere information dissemination or visual appeal. Contracts weave entities into a lattice of binding commitments, where the ramifications of financial and operational breaches are concrete and often weighty. - The Fusion of Text and Data:
Contracts, in their essence, are not just text repositories; they’re data goldmines. The nuances of every clause, the implications of every date, and the gravity of each provision can be painstakingly deciphered, studied, and employed to derive actionable business intelligence, forecast impending trends, and calibrate strategic undertakings. Here enters the strategy of data-driven contracting, another body of work I am set to tackle. - Integrative Potential:
Contracts possess the unparalleled ability to seamlessly combine a myriad of business verticals—from sales and procurement to finance and legal. Their innate cross-disciplinary characteristics, connected by composable integration frameworks, position contracts as essential lynchpins unlocking enterprise value.
The Evolutionary Leap: Contract Lifecycle Management
As businesses become progressively aware of the underlying potential encapsulated within contracts, the pivot toward modern CLM is clear. The increasing awareness and adoption of CLM solutions is in response to the growing recognition of contracts. Here’s a deep dive into five cardinal pillars defining CLM:
- Automation:
The days of sifting through stacks of papers or wading through digital folders to manage contracts have given way to a new era of efficiency. A modern CLM, especially advanced solutions like Malbek’s Contrax CLM, are designed to automate many of the repetitive and time-consuming tasks associated with contracts. Whether it’s generating a new contract, workflow reviews, or even sending notifications for renewals, automation takes the reins to ensure that everything is on track without excessive manual intervention. This not only saves valuable time but also diminishes the margin for human error. - Compliance:
With the vast number of regulations, standards, and internal rules that a contract needs to adhere to, ensuring compliance can be a daunting task. However, it’s of utmost importance. Non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions, financial penalties, and a tarnished reputation. CLM systems come to the rescue by keeping an updated playbook of all requisite standards. They act as vigilant watchkeepers, ensuring that every term, clause, and condition in the contract is in line with required business rules. This provides businesses with peace of mind, knowing they’re always on the right side of the law and company standards. - Collaboration:
The journey of a contract often involves multiple stops. From its initial draft to negotiations, amendments, approvals, and renewals, many people from different departments may need to have their say. The modern CLM makes this collaborative process smooth. They allow real-time edits, comments, and approvals, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, quite literally. This collaborative approach eliminates the cumbersome back-and-forth often associated with contract management and ensures a more streamlined business flow with less internal friction. - Analytics:
Every contract is a treasure trove of data. From performance metrics to stipulated deadlines, cycle time, and more, there’s a wealth of information waiting to be analyzed. Modern CLM platforms come equipped with analytical tools that can sift through this data to provide actionable insights and recommendations on the next steps. Descriptive, predictive, to prescriptive analytics, can inform business strategies, identify potential areas of concern, and highlight opportunities for improvement or renegotiation. Data-driven insights from crucial contract data can establish a stronghold to drive meaningful decisions. - Integration:
In today’s interconnected digital ecosystem, no tool or platform functions in isolation. A modern CLM system is no different and the monolithic platforms from the past can’t deliver. Drag and drop seamless integration with other enterprise tools, from CRM systems like Salesforce to ERP systems like SAP and Oracle Financials is a requirement. This interconnectedness ensures a unified workflow, where data flows smoothly from one platform to another, improves data accuracy, reduces deduplication of efforts, and streamlines workflows for enhanced efficiency and productivity.
At Malbek, we are at the forefront of this CLM revolution, with products like Contrax CLM pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in contract management. Our vision isn’t just to provide a technology solution but to reshape the very way businesses perceive and manage their ultimate digital asset. A testament to our commitment and capability is the success story of Survey Monkey. With the implementation of Malbek CLM, they reported a staggering 50% reduction in contract review durations.
Contracts, in their essence, capture the promises and obligations that underlie the business world. As I reflect on my journey, from leading the charge in DAM to igniting change in LegalTech, I’m convinced more than ever: contracts are not just legal documents; they are the ultimate digital assets, encapsulating the past, present, and future of business relationships and maximum revenue potential.
To learn more about our vision and how we’re changing the landscape of contract management, visit Malbek.
