“How many people really care about CLM?
I don’t mean caring like we do for the environment, politics, social justice, etc. but I mean the kind of caring that comes with real passion for the work they do.
Caring about the outcome; the impacts; the results.
NOT caring only about a pay check, a bonus, or a reward.
Optimizing or fixing the CLM can be thankless work.
When contracting is smooth, no one says “thank you”, but when it is bumpy – wow are people vocal!
Right now CLM (specifically CLM tech) is a bit of a gravy train.
Everyone wants to hop on board.
People see fast and big money.
This short term view and excitability will come at a cost to the in-house legal teams who are desperate for meaningful solutions.
CLM can’t have a quick fix.
No magic buttons here.
Revamping CLM is hard work, and if people doing it don’t truly care about the outcome, it is very likely to not be a successful endeavor.
Every day I speak with clients who have been delegated the duty of “solving the contracting problem” and I have empathy for those who don’t really care, but now are forced to figure this out. It will not be fun for them.
My suggestion for in-house leaders – find someone in the team who shows a natural interest and curiosity for solving the CLM problem. Give that person a chance.
Because if they really care – that might just be the secret ingredient to solving the CLM problem in your department/company.”
INSIGHT BY LUCY BASSLI
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