wiki/knowledge/crm-automation/cordwainer-elder-mark-automation-roadmap.md · 667 words · 2026-04-05

Cordwainer CRM Automation Roadmap — Elder Mark/Further

Overview

Following the post-launch workplan meeting, Asymmetric and Cordwainer agreed to pursue a dedicated CRM automation initiative inside Elder Mark and Further. The goal is to systematize and scale the personalized prospect outreach that Erica Lathrop currently handles manually — reducing her administrative burden while maintaining the warmth and continuity that characterizes Cordwainer's relationship-driven sales process.

Karly Oykhman (Asymmetric) will lead this workstream. A dedicated deep-dive call with Erica is the immediate next step before any automation is built.


Current State


Automation Opportunities Identified

1. Automated Nurture Campaigns

Trigger: A prospect submits a tour request form or otherwise engages with the website.

Sequence: A series of timed emails that continue the conversation after the initial touchpoint — e.g.:
- Day 7 post-tour: follow-up email with additional information or a relevant article
- Day 14: another touchpoint with a call to action (e.g., schedule a second visit)
- Day 21+: continued nurture content

Each email should function as a "chapter" in a story — building familiarity and trust incrementally, with a clear call to action at each step.

Why it matters: Erica already does this manually. Automation preserves the cadence without requiring her to track and execute each step individually.

2. Automated CRM Field Updates

Trigger: A prospect takes a tracked action (opens an email, submits a form, clicks a link, etc.).

Action: Automatically update relevant CRM fields — e.g., pipeline stage, last engagement date, contact status.

Why it matters: Keeping contact records current is time-consuming when done page-by-page. Automated field updates ensure the CRM reflects reality without manual data entry, making reporting and prioritization more reliable.

3. Waitlist Newsletter Automation

Current process: Erica creates a monthly newsletter for prospects on the waitlist — people who are interested in Cordwainer but not yet ready to move. She distributes it manually.

Proposed automation: Once Erica creates the newsletter content, the distribution is handled automatically to the waitlist segment maintained in the CRM.

Why it matters: The newsletter itself is high-value relationship maintenance. Automating distribution removes a recurring manual step and ensures consistent delivery.


Process for the Deep-Dive Call

Before any automation is built, Karly needs to map Cordwainer's current workflows in detail. The dedicated call should cover:

  1. How prospects currently enter the CRM — form submissions, phone calls, referrals, etc.
  2. How contacts are categorized — prospect vs. current resident vs. waitlist vs. past inquiry
  3. What manual steps Erica takes at each stage — what she sends, when, and why
  4. What triggers currently exist (if any) in Elder Mark or Further
  5. Where the biggest time sinks are — what Erica most wants off her plate

From this mapping, Karly will identify which automations to build first and in what order.


Key Contacts

Name Role Notes
Erica Lathrop Director of Community Relations, Cordwainer Primary CRM user; manages all prospect outreach
Karly Oykhman Account Manager, Asymmetric Leading CRM automation workstream
Bodo Liesenfeld Owner/Investor, Cordwainer Wants to join initial deep-dive call

Next Steps


Sources

  1. Index
  2. Nurture Campaign Best Practices
  3. Cordwainer Seo Workplan