The System Behind $250M in Acquisitions
- Company
- Ocean Block Capital
- Overview
As CTO of Ocean Block Capital, I replaced spreadsheets with Salesforce, enriched every property record from five data sources and added a model that ranked which owners to call first. Lead generation grew 500%, process time fell 75%, and more than 60 brokers ran over $250M in acquisitions through it.
- Technologies
- SalesforceMachine LearningData AnalyticsProcess AutomationCRM
"Our partnership with The Innovation Lab has been nothing short of transformative. David and The Innovation Lab team have helped us unlock many opportunities and insights that have propelled our organization forward. The Innovation Lab team is extremely responsive, creative, and thorough. We look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come."
Commercial Real Estate Excellence
Ocean Block Capital, a prominent commercial real estate company based in Manhattan, specializes in NNN Lease properties nationwide. With a team of exceptionally skilled partners, the company has successfully navigated the complex world of real estate investments.
However, despite the exceptional expertise of its partners, Ocean Block Capital found itself at a critical juncture. The company's reliance on Excel spreadsheets hindered organizational efficiency and scalability.
Outgrowing Excel Spreadsheets
Ocean Block Capital encountered significant obstacles in its quest for growth and efficiency. The reliance on Excel spreadsheets led to data inconsistencies and limited organization, hindering the scaling of operations and onboarding of new employees.
The system, piece by piece
As CTO I replaced the spreadsheets with one system that the acquisitions team and the brokers worked in every day. These are its parts.
Salesforce Migration
— From Excel to Enterprise CRMFacilitated transition from Excel spreadsheets to Salesforce, enabling centralized data management, improved accuracy, and enhanced collaboration.
Data Enrichment
— Multi-source IntegrationEnriched existing data leveraging CoStar, LandVision, Reonomy, Google Maps, and Census Data for comprehensive property insights.
Sales Pipeline Optimization
— Automated Workflow DesignDesigned and implemented a robust sales pipeline with well-defined statuses and automation at each stage from lead generation to closing.
ML-Driven Prioritization
— AI-Powered Opportunity RankingDeveloped a sophisticated machine learning algorithm using Python and TensorFlow to predict the most promising opportunities.
Performance Enhancement
— Speed & AutomationEngineered private software and integrated third-party solutions including Vonage API, phone validation, and automated marketing.
Cold Calling Team
— 5x Lead Generation IncreaseOnboarded a dedicated team with secure data handling protocols and training programs, resulting in 5x qualified lead increase.
Measurable Impact
What I took away
- Enterprise CRM platforms unlock scalability that spreadsheets cannot provide
- Multi-source data enrichment creates comprehensive market intelligence
- Automated sales pipelines reduce manual effort and human error
- Machine learning prioritization focuses team effort on highest-value opportunities
- Secure onboarding processes enable rapid team scaling
The bottom line
Ocean Block Capital ran on spreadsheets when I joined as CTO. I moved it to Salesforce, enriched every property record from five data sources and added a model that ranked which owners to call first. Lead generation grew 500%, and the system I built still runs today.
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Get in touch
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