The Rainmaking Podcast

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Sachin Bakhai, CEO of Law KPIs, about how professionals can manage their firms like true businesses by making better decisions through data. Sachin shares how many firms struggle with fragmented information across systems like case management, CRM, and accounting, leading to reactive rather than proactive decision-making. He explains how consolidating internal data into actionable KPIs allows firms to track client growth, profitability, associate performance, and marketing ROI—ultimately helping leaders make smarter, faster decisions.

Sachin emphasizes that using data is not just for executives; line-level managers can leverage insights to drive efficiency, profitability, and strategic growth within their teams. He also discusses trends like the shift toward flat-fee billing and how historical data can help firms price services more accurately. This episode provides a practical roadmap for firms that want to shift from gut-based decision-making to data-driven management and long-term success.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Sachin is a visionary technologist and a serial entrepreneur. He has 20+ years of cumulative work experience including Consulting and Product start-ups. He brings significant executive leadership, sales, and marketing experience to the Company. Sachin has vast experience taking new products and services to market from concept through commercialization. As a CEO of LawKPIs, the vision is to help 10,000+ law firms to grow and succeed so they can enjoy financial independence.

Links:

www.lawkpis.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/lawkpis/about/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiH4g7GZWRSgj8epAUTs2qg

https://www.facebook.com/lawkpis/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Cole Silver, Chief Client Officer at Blank Rome, about the evolving landscape of leadership, business development, and recruiting in the legal profession. Drawing from his experience as a business development expert and in-house counsel, Cole explores how technology, remote work, and shifting client expectations are reshaping how law firms compete for both talent and clients. The conversation dives into how video platforms have shortened the hiring process, how firms are leveraging remote work for competitive advantage, and why trust, communication, and resilience are critical in the new business environment.

Scott and Cole also discuss the ongoing war for associate talent, the growing importance of leadership development in law firms, and the limitations of the traditional billable-hour model. Scott shares his perspective on what truly drives retention and growth—emphasizing firm culture, visionary leadership, and rainmaker training as the keys to future success. With insights from both sides of the legal talent equation, this episode provides a candid, strategic look at what’s ahead for the legal industry.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Cole Silver serves as the Chief Client Officer for Blank Rome. In this role, Cole provides consultative client relationship support to the Firm and its clients, helping to identify and implement strategies and tactics to improve client satisfaction, expand into new areas of service, and ensure an outstanding client experience. With over 25 years of experience as General Counsel to several high-growth companies, Cole brings an insider's view of clients' key legal concerns and what they want and expect from the outside counsel. He has authored books and trained numerous professionals in the areas of client development and service.

Links:

www.blankrome.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colesilver/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love welcomes back Ed Wallace—business relationship expert and author of Business Relationships That Last—to discuss how professionals can better “speak the language of their clients.” Ed shares practical tools to improve client conversations, beginning with his “Relational GPS” framework: understanding a client’s Goals, Passions, and Struggles. He explains how too few professionals truly learn what matters to their clients, and shows how using discovery questions like “What was your biggest accomplishment over the last year?” can reveal deeper insights that lead to stronger relationships.

Ed also breaks down how to translate a firm’s value proposition into client-centric language that reflects the client’s specific business needs. Rather than leading with services, professionals should listen first, ask follow-up questions, and only then present a custom “value statement” that aligns with the client’s goals. This episode offers a clear, actionable process for rainmakers to approach conversations more strategically and build meaningful, business-focused relationships.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Ed Wallace consults with and speaks for corporations and associations across the globe with a client list that is a Who's Who of Fortune 500 companies. He is the author of Fares to Friends, Creating Relational Capital, Business Relationships That Last, and his most recent the #1 best-selling The Relationship Engine. In addition, Ed is currently on the Executive Education faculty of Drexel's LeBow College of Business and Villanova University's Human Resources Master's Program.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwallace007/

http://www.relationalcapitalgroup.com/solutions/keynote-talks/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Alexandra Ontra, co-founder of Shufflrr, about how professionals can improve sales outcomes through better storytelling in presentations. Drawing from her background in advertising and interactive media, Alexandra explains that most sales decks strip away emotion by default—relying on bullet points and data instead of meaningful narratives. She argues that storytelling in business is about restoring the human element, helping prospects see themselves in the story, and creating emotional resonance around a product or service.

Alexandra introduces a simple framework: the product is the hero, the client is the co-star, and the story arc follows how the product helps solve the client’s problem and improve their outcome. She shares how Shufflrr’s interactive slide library helps sales teams create customized, on-the-fly presentations that follow the conversation—not just a static slide deck. This episode is packed with tactical storytelling advice and offers a fresh perspective on how to deliver more engaging, memorable, and client-focused pitches.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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AlexAnndra Ontra is changing the way the enterprise world thinks about its most undervalued asset — the presentation. As President and co-founder of Shufflrr, AlexAnndra is blazing a trail in the emerging new discipline of presentation management. The technology she helped create is already powering the presentation strategies of hundreds of Fortune-level companies, helping them save millions of dollars by transforming humble PowerPoint slides into invaluable business assets.

Before co-founding Shufflrr, AlexAnndra made her mark in the world of advertising. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree from UT Austin, she quickly rose through the ranks at international agencies DDB and Lowe & Partners SMS, developing campaigns for blue-chip clients like American Airlines, Priceline.com, and Zales Corp.

Then in 2002, she decided to strike out on her own. Teaming up with her brother James, she launched Ontra Presentations with nothing more than a borrowed desk, two phones, and a lot of hustle. Together they cold-called prospects for eight hours a day, every day. Their persistence paid dividends, and in less than 90 days they’d landed their first big client: ABC Television.

Fast forward 12 years and over 50 Fortune-level clients later, Alex had cemented her position as a thought leader in the presentation space. But her experience had also highlighted the glaring shortcomings of existing presentation software. So, in 2014 she and her brother began an ambitious new project, combining their 30+ years of practical know-how with the latest machine learning and cloud technology. The result? Shufflrr, a powerful, elegant, easy-to-use SaaS solution that’s finally bringing decades-old presentation technology into the 21st century.

Links:

https://shufflrr.com/

https://twitter.com/shufflrr

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanndra-ontra-7942741/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Charlie Cina, sales trainer, speaker, and author of Expose and Close, about how professionals can master the art of the introduction to present themselves with purpose and impact from the first point of contact. Charlie shares how his early entrepreneurial experiences—like buying and growing a paper route at age 10—taught him that “the more you introduce, the more you produce.” He explains that rainmaking success starts with confidently and clearly answering the question, “What do you do?” in 10 seconds or less, with a message focused on solving the prospect’s problem.

Charlie offers a framework for creating a powerful personal presentation, sorting prospects from suspects, and building relationships through authentic engagement. He emphasizes that anyone—introvert or extrovert—can connect if they have a script rooted in truth, clarity, and client value. With tips on networking, following up, and staying top of mind using tools like OneTap Connect, Charlie equips listeners with a simple, actionable process to attract high-level clients and close more business.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Charlie Cina captivates his audiences and teaches them how to master the right mindset, missions, and moves to reach their personal potential to drive massive revenue. Through his writings, speaking, and consulting, he has built a vast group of followers known as Disciples of Sales. Charlie believes that the ability to present and persuade are necessary life skills that everyone needs to succeed. He will teach you that your primary responsibility in business is to expose your brand, expose your products, expose your services, and expose your solutions to build long-lasting revenue relationships.

Charlie has leveraged his expertise in sales and marketing to work with billion-dollar brands like Pepsi, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, and The Wynn Resort. He has acquired as clients the top motivational speakers, trainers in the world like Tony Robbins, Les Brown, and Eric Thomas. His 30 years of boots on the ground and under fire sales experience has led him to create the proven techniques and strategies to activate, acquire, and achieve massive success. Charlie will transfer to you his simple formula to make sales easy, so anyone who implements can potentially connect with high-level clients and billion-dollar companies.

Links: 

[email protected]

www.charliecina.com

www.onetapconnect.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecina/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with David Avrin—global keynote speaker, marketing expert, and author of The Customer Experience Advantage—about how professionals can future-proof their business in an unpredictable world. David explains that customer expectations have changed dramatically in recent years, with speed, access, and ease now considered standard. As clients increasingly compare service experiences across industries, firms that fail to adapt risk becoming irrelevant—even if their core service is strong.

David emphasizes the importance of eliminating friction, understanding the evolving challenges facing your ideal clients, and creating structured opportunities for conversation—both with clients and within your firm. He also shares tips on improving virtual presence, building human connection through digital platforms, and using internal “morning huddles” to spark innovation. This episode is a practical and timely guide for professionals looking to stay relevant, resilient, and relationship-driven in a rapidly changing business environment.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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One of the most in-demand Customer Experience speakers and consultants in the world today, David Avrin, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow, has shared his content-rich, entertaining and actionable presentations with enthusiastic audiences across North America and in 24 countries around the world. David helps organizations better understand and connect with their changing customers and clients to help future-proof their businesses.

David's insights have been featured on thousands of media outlets around the world. He is also the author of five books including the acclaimed: It's Not Who You Know, It's Who Knows You!, Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back) and his newest book: The Morning Huddle -- Powerful Customer Experience Conversations to Wake You Up, Shake You Up, and Win More Business.

Links

www.morninghuddlemembership.com

[email protected]

www.davisavrin.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidavrin/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Mark Roberts, sales performance expert and founder of the “No Smoke and Mirrors” consultancy, about how to get new rainmakers to produce results quickly and consistently. Drawing on over 35 years of experience, Mark explains that success in business development hinges less on personality and more on skills, motivation, and mindset. He introduces his use of assessment tools that measure competencies like the “will to sell” and identifies limiting beliefs—such as a need to be liked or discomfort discussing money—that often hold professionals back.

Mark discusses how law firms and other professional services organizations can avoid costly hiring mistakes by using data-driven assessments and behavioral interview questions to evaluate candidates before making offers. He emphasizes that rainmaking is a teachable skill, and offers insights into onboarding, coaching, and client feedback processes that support growth. From mindset reframing to value-based selling and succession planning, this episode provides a strategic blueprint for firms committed to building high-performing business developers.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Mark Roberts is a senior-level sales and marketing leader with over 35 years of experience driving profitable sales growth in market-leading organizations. He has done so at companies like Timken, VMI, Gardner Denver, Mobility Works, and Frito-Lay. Mark is an author, public speaker, sales trainer, and sales coach. In 2018, he received the Business Excellence award from NSME and in 2019, The Highspot Sales Enablement Award. He was also recognized by Sales Hacker Inc. in the Sales Enablement Category. Mark is the founder of OTB Solutions, LLC, and the popular business development blog, www.nosmokeandmirrors.com, ranked #1 in fixing sales problems. Today, he is the founder and president of OTB Sales where he helps clients diagnose and improve sales effectiveness, and hire and develop their sales talent to improve sales results.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markaroberts/

Mark’s ebook on how to leverage the voice of your customers https://otbsalessolutions.com/voc/ 

A short video about one skill all top performers have https://eliteexpertsvideonetwork.com/mark-allen-roberts-do-your-salespeople-have-the-one-skill-required-by-all-top-sales-performers/

Article: Are your Salespeople selling naked today? https://otbsalessolutions.com/are-your-salespeople-selling-naked-today/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Margie Agin, award-winning B2B marketing strategist and founder of Centerboard Marketing, about how professionals can stand out in crowded markets by clearly communicating what makes them different. Drawing from her background in language, market research, and content strategy, Margie explains how companies can develop effective differentiation by listening closely to customer language, identifying real decision drivers, and crafting messaging that resonates with both emotional and business needs.

Margie outlines how authentic, customer-informed differentiation—backed by proof points and aligned with buyer goals—can help professionals avoid competing on price and instead command attention based on value. She introduces the concept of a “message map” to organize and prioritize core brand messages, and shares how even service firms can package offerings like products to make them more tangible and easier to sell. With examples from her consulting work and actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for professionals ready to sharpen their positioning and win more of the right business.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Award-winning marketer Margie Agin helps B2B technology companies discover what makes them unique and find the words to say it. She is the founder and chief strategist of Centerboard Marketing, a marketing agency based in the Washington, DC area, and author of Brand Breakthrough: How to Go Beyond a Catchy Tagline to Build an Authentic, Influential and Sustainable Brand Personality.

As both an external strategist and an in-house marketing leader, Margie has helped companies in the cybersecurity, communications, and software industries distill complex topics into content and campaigns that drive action. She has built and led teams through times of rapid change, launched and relaunched brands, and created sustainable marketing programs that prioritize the customer experience.

Before founding Centerboard Marketing, Margie led demand generation efforts for the education technology company Blackboard and digital marketing for video conferencing leaders Tandberg and Cisco. She also taught content marketing and web writing at Johns Hopkins University. Margie completed her undergraduate work at Tufts University and earned a Master’s degree from American University.

Links for Show Notes:

Website: http://www.centerboard-marketing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorieagin/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NTYMSW3

Email: [email protected]

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Henry Kaminsky, branding expert and founder of Unique Designs, about how professionals can build powerful personal brands that attract high-value clients and create real business growth. Henry shares his journey from hospital fundraiser to seven-figure entrepreneur, emphasizing that people buy you—the person—before they ever buy your service. He explains why most professionals fail to stand out online: they’re too close to their business, designing brands for themselves rather than for their ideal clients.

Henry discusses the importance of clarity, authenticity, and relevance in personal branding, especially in an era where buyers want human connection and transparency. He offers actionable strategies like interviewing top clients to refine brand messaging, using tools like AnswerThePublic to understand market language, and leveraging podcasting and LinkedIn as relationship-building platforms. Whether you’re launching a solo practice or scaling a professional services firm, this episode provides a powerful roadmap for creating a brand that resonates and drives revenue.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Henry Kaminski Jr. is the founder of Unique Designz, a full-service design, branding, and digital marketing agency that is dedicated to helping personality brands, coaches, consultants, influencers, speakers + authors design / grow their brands, scale their profits + increase their exposure online. He is the host of the popular “Brand Doctor’s Podcast” where he talks about strategies that help entrepreneurs design reputable and profitable personal brands. As a self-taught graphic designer and brand consultant, he's overcome all the odds to build a wildly successful multi-million-dollar business over the past 14 years. He has worked with a diverse range of business owners and professionals, including celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi + Fabio Viviani as well as Internet marketing expert Russell Brunson who has named Henry the "Million Dollar Brander” and recently has been inducted into the Click Funnels 2 Comma Club, by generating over$1 million single sales funnel, using the Click Funnels software.

Links:

https://uniquedesignz.net/

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-kaminski-jr/

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In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Brenda Pontiff, founder of PartnerTrack Academy, about succession planning and the role of trusted advisors in ensuring smooth client transitions. Brenda explains how law firms often overlook the long-term implications of a partner’s retirement or lateral move, putting client relationships at risk. She contrasts law and accounting firms, noting that the Big Four treat client transition with far more structure, process, and transparency—often using protocols, calendars, and client-facing documentation to ensure continuity and trust.

Brenda emphasizes that being a trusted advisor means anticipating client needs and staying top of mind—well beyond the scope of an individual matter. She encourages firms to develop succession protocols years in advance, document expectations, and involve the entire firm—including marketing, IT, and HR—in the transition process. With humor, candor, and deep experience, Brenda shares both cautionary tales and actionable steps for firms looking to retain client loyalty and institutional knowledge when key players move on.

Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/

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Brenda Pontiff is a Six Sigma trained, client-facing business development executive bringing Big 4 sales strategies to global law firms. She is the managing principal of Partner Track Academy and provides management consulting. as well as sales coaching and workshop facilitation. to help individual lawyers, as well as firms, improve client satisfaction while increasing revenues. Brenda is also the Senior Marketer Liaison for the Los Angeles Steering Committee of the Legal Marketing Association.  

Links:

www.partnertrackacademy.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-pontiff-59284515/

[email protected]

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