On this episode of the Contract Heroes podcast, we’re joined by Matt Patel, COO and Co-Founder of Malbek, to talk all things CLM replacement. Matt breaks down the common pitfalls of legacy systems—from high maintenance costs and outdated architecture to poor user adoption—and explains why many organizations are rethinking their approach.

We dive into the challenges of navigating a crowded CLM market, what red flags to watch for (like low logins and workaround-heavy workflows), and how to tell whether your issues stem from technology or process. Matt also shares actionable tips for teams just starting their CLM evaluation journey and what to look for in a modern, scalable solution.

FEATURED TIMESTAMPS

[00.35] Nandita’s background and career journey. 

[02.46] The importance of understanding the context behind every contract. 

[06.29] The importance of putting the best interests of the company first. 

[07.10] Communication and understanding between legal and sales teams. 

[08.57] The benefits of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM). 

[11.06] The role of flexibility in contract negotiation. 

[13.38] Building rapport and trust with the internal team. 

[16.17] Effective playbook provisions for business negotiations. 

RESOURCES

Connect with Nadita Murthy

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/nandita-murthy/

FEATURES TIMESTAMPS

[02.12] The process of selecting a contract lifecycle management (CLM) system.

[05.15] The importance of addressing pain points. 

[07.00] The requirements for the successful implementation of a system.

[09.16] The deciding factor.

[11.15] The importance of having thorough, real-life testing when implementing a new system.

[13.28] The importance of cross-functional collaboration and early alignment. 

[17.24] User adoption dashboards.

[19.55] The critical role of communication and training.

[23.43] Managing change and addressing user fears.

[29.16] Susan’s advice for implementing any system.

RESOURCES

Connect with Susan

LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/szagorski/