Implementing the right renewal SuccessBLOC highly depends on how your company handles renewals, including definitions for the following:

1. Renewal types
2. Renewal roles
3. Renewal stages

Renewal standard engagements are designed to be followed when Renewal Risk is not present. If an account is at risk, we recommend that you follow a different risk playbook.

1. Define renewal types

Determine the types of renewals you use with your customers:

• High Touch: No contractual mechanism for a renewal beyond the expiration date. Requires a manual renewal process that is typically dedicated to strategic accounts over a certain contract value. Examples include, expiration of a long-term contract, an auto renewal that has “opted out”, 1st year pilot/prove-it type deals.

  Manage Contract Renewals (recommended BLOC)

• Auto: Standard auto renewal language, which allows for the renewal of said agreement without the execution of new paperwork. Auto renewals typically have opt out periods, such as a 30-day window. While these can be easy-to-manage renewals, there is the opportunity for an auto renewal to cancel or to turn into a non-auto renewal. The likelihood is higher for a re-paper event, the older the agreement is.

  Automate Renewals (recommended BLOC)

• Hybrid/Digital: A combination of auto with elements of high touch. Digitally alert a customer that a renewal is upcoming; based on their renewal intent, a Renewal Manager takes action. 

  To support a hybrid renewal process you need one renewal event (account), one internal person assigned to that account to handle that renewal, and at least one contact for the customer that will receive communications.

2. Define renewal roles

Determine the different types of roles you need internally to execute on your renewal process. These roles may include:

• Renewal Manager: Main point of contact for high touch renewals
• Customer Success Manager: Manages the overall relationship with the customer
• Account Manager: Supports the CSM during Business Reviews to communicate value delivered
• Service Delivery Manager: Main point of contact for non-CSM accounts
• Accounting/Finance: Supporting role for any billing-related questions

3. Define renewal stages

It is a Totango best practice to have standard stages of renewals across all your renewal types. We recommend the following stages, which may trigger related SuccessPlays (purple) and communications (yellow) outlined.

Renewal stages are represented using a lifecycle status attribute type in Totango, which allows you to automatically track the time in each stage.

By tracking the time between each risk stage, you are able to create KPIs around your renewal cycle. Once an end stage is reached, the counting of days stops. Moving the account to another stage after the end stage restarts the clock and it starts counting the days in a stage again.

4. Configure the SuccessBLOC(s)

Based on the renewal type(s) you need, add the SuccessBLOC and begin configuring your segments, canvas, SuccessPlays, and campaigns. The following is an example of a hybrid renewal type with parameters you might consider for each stage:

• Pre-renewal: 90-days out trigger SuccessPlay to the Digital Segment CSM to review account for any risk or barriers to renewal that must be addressed prior to the send of the automated email, “Upcoming renewal reminder.” 
• Negotiation: Trigger the plays based on a customer response. If no response, prompt for human interaction.
• Risk: Engage Executive Sponsor and Sales/Account Manager to collaborate on and create a plan. Exec Sponsor should reach out to the customer’s Executive Sponsor to try to save the renewal.

Best practices to keep your renewal program running

Consider the following best practices to apply to the program: