Case Study
Innovative Investment Manager Elevates Data Strategy with Custom CRM Solution
DDO Process Improved
Integrated data service and custom CRM, empowring the team with insights for growth, and compliance
Tailored Solutions
Custom-built CRM designed specifically for Blackwattle’s strategy, enabling scalability and intuitive team adoption.
Fast Turn Around
CRM build delivered in 8 weeks
Overview
Blackwattle Investment Partners is an innovative Australian investment firm managing multiple specialised equity funds, including its Global Quality Fund, which focuses on sustainable and high-growth companies across sectors. Driven by a commitment to precision and transparency, Blackwattle recognised the need for a modernised, data-driven investment approach. With a lean, empowered team model, Blackwattle aims to improve decision-making efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and leverage real-time data to enhance portfolio performance.
Blackwattle has strengthened this approach by integrating proprietary ESG and risk assessment tools into its CRM environment to foster transparency and increase engagement. This setup also allows Blackwattle’s client teams—who are personally invested in the funds—to provide detailed, contextual performance insights to their investors, enhancing trust and alignment.
“I can’t thank Adviser Ratings enough for their incredible work in helping us build our CRM from the ground up. They took the time to understand our business needs and developed a customised, intuitive solution that perfectly met our requirements for functionality and reporting. Their responsiveness and commitment made the whole process smooth and successful.”
Maggie Mills
Head of Distribution and Partner
The Problem:
Established in 2023, Blackwattle Investment Partners needed to build a new CRM to streamline data management, improve adviser targeting and segmentation, and strengthen their sales and marketing efforts. Building the CRM in-house proved too resource-intensive for Blackwattle’s small team to manage internally, so Blackwattle sought out a partner to assist them.
The Solution:
Adviser Ratings’ in-house Salesforce expertise and data solutions provided the ideal combination to expertly support Blackwattle Investment Partners in building a bespoke CRM with cutting-edge data capabilities. Blackwattle selected the ARdata Nightingale data solution for its ability to provide valuable adviser insights and flexible data update options, offering a cost-effective approach to managing data update frequency.
These changes have transformed a frustrated sales culture to one that is high performing and collaborative, allowing it to focus on more meaningful and valued added discussions with advisers. It has led to a direct improvement in both sales and profitability.
Services Provided
Adviser Ratings was able to deliver, in 8 short weeks, a comprehensive data and CRM solution tailored to Blackwattle Investment Partners’ needs. Key services included:
- Monthly Nightingale Data File: Nightingale is a customisable data service built and operated by ARdata that provides rich contact and insight intelligence on advisers, practices, and licensees across the financial advice profession. This service supported Blackwattle’s growth and compliance initiatives by delivering up-to-date, actionable intelligence to accurately target and provide services to their customers.
- Data Integration via API: ARdata integrated the Nightingale data directly into Blackwattle’s CRM system via API to streamline data flow, enabling seamless access and removing manual data handling, removing the risk of delays and data integrity issues.
- Custom CRM Build: Adviser Ratings designed and developed a fully bespoke CRM from the ground up based on a deep understanding of Blackwattle’s business strategy. This empowered Blackwattle with an efficient, intuitive platform that could scale and support their growth.
The Result
Through its unique market position and expertise, Adviser Ratings was able to fast-track Blackwattle’s data and CRM capabilities, driving better insights and operational efficiencies and leading to three times higher growth than forecast.
Integrating Adviser Ratings’ Nightingale data solution into Blackwattle’s CRM has greatly streamlined sales and marketing efforts and enabled Blackwattle to effortlessly comply with its regulatory design and distribution obligations in an efficient, integrated manner.
Adviser Ratings’ expertise provided a quick CRM build, expediting the availability of valuable insights and accurate, up-to-date adviser information. This has enabled the Blackwattle team to be more proactive and targeted in adviser engagements. For marketing, the integration has improved digital outreach, allowing for more relevant, timely content and effective calls-to-action across a variety of channels, enhancing overall engagement.
“Thanks to AR, we now have a powerful CRM system that enhances communication and provides valuable adviser data, guiding our distribution strategy and market engagement. I wholeheartedly recommend AR for their expertise, reliability, and continued support—they’ve been a game-changer for our business.” — Maggie Mills
