“We’re transforming the billing function from an obligation and a chore into a strategic business initiative.”

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Jim Kanir directs all facets of Billtrust sales and marketing efforts. He is a veteran executive in the high-tech arena with management success in SaaS and enterprise software firms that put a high premium on exemplary customer service. Prior to joining Billtrust, Jim was CRO at M5 Networks, COO for Powerway, Inc., and President and CEO of Cohesia Corporation.

Billtrust™ is dedicated to improving the billing process for its customers, saving them time and money. They have developed state-of-the-art products and services designed to simplify the billing process. Their knowledgeable staff has experience in paper billing, electronic billing and payment, customer service, operations, and IT.

MO: How is Billtrust revolutionizing the billing industry?

Jim: We’re transforming the billing function from an obligation and a chore into a strategic business initiative. Efficient, effective billing can improve an organization’s overall operations. Billtrust makes this happen by providing our customers with state-of-the-art products and services that simplify the entire process and ultimately help the business perform better. We’re transitioning businesses to paperless billing, which is less expensive for them and better for the environment. And our team of experts is with them every step of the way.

MO: Have you had any mentors during the course of your career?

Jim: I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible mentors who’ve helped me in my career. One is Richard Currier, who is a well-known marketing guru who has had a lot of influence in the technical marketing space in Silicon Valley and the East Coast tech corridor. He took me under his wing and helped me understand how marketing and sales work together to drive technology business success. Two other terrific mentors – Mike Dering and George Langan – taught me a lot about leadership. I was fortunate enough to witness the way both of them led by example. They showed me how individuals can inspire and motivate employees, a valuable lesson that has helped me throughout my career.

MO: Billtrust is growing at a rate of 50 percent year-over-year. What do you attribute this remarkable growth to and how do you plan on keeping the momentum going?

Jim: I think we’re successful because we truly improve our customers’ operations. By transforming the billing process into a strategic initiative, we help our clients become more successful and competitive. It’s like the old saying, “When you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.” At Billtrust, we take a core business function every company has to do and make it faster, cheaper and more efficient. We listen to our customers and always ask how we can serve them better. That’s why we’ve been so successful.

MO: What are some easy ways that companies can improve their online presence? What are some more long term approaches?

Jim: The important thing to remember is that establishing an effective online presence goes far beyond just placing some content on a website. A web presence is a journey, not a destination. To be successful, companies need to continually add relevant content and give users a reason to come back. It’s also important to connect social media elements to the main website – platforms like blogs and Facebook can add new dimensions. The overall goal is to weave all the elements together to form a fabric.

MO: What makes Billtrust such a great place to work? How have you managed to build such a unique company culture that is both fun and productive and also encourages you to put your family first?

Jim: Our CEO, Flint Lane, is a strong believer in working and playing hard while putting family first. I think his influence has been incredibly important in developing such a fun and productive culture. Another belief that is evident throughout the company is that we’re stronger together. No one person knows everything, but when we work together, we broaden our collective expertise. Our HR team understands this and that building relationships across different departments is helpful. We like to have fun, and coming together for informal events like lunchtime barbeques is not only enjoyable, it also fosters the relationship-building that is important to the business.

MO: Can you tell us a bit about your new Billing Rockstar program and how you came up with the name?

Jim: Our Billing Rockstar program is a way to recognize customers who are billing innovators. We came up with the name because what these folks do is so important to the business that those who do it well really are rockstars. They don’t often get the attention they deserve, so we came up with a program that treats them like the rockstars they are. We have award ceremonies where we provide a platinum record-style plaque – sometimes presented by an Elvis impersonator! We highlight their achievements in front of their peers, putting the billing guru in the spotlight for the full rockstar treatment. It’s a fun way to recognize a really important achievement.