Dru Armstrong, Chief Executive of 8am, visited Nasdaq’s “Live From Marketsite” to speak on insights into innovation in legal tech and strategic outlook going forward. Serving over 245,000 customers in the legal and accounting sectors, the company has continued to establish itself as a pivotal player in streamlining the business operations for legal firms.
The Customer Approach
During the “Live from Marketsite” interview, Dru highlighted how 8am is committed to the customer and prioritizes empowering them with enhanced product offerings. Accomplishing this involves focusing on core practice management and integrating the right partners that simplify the manual work load of running a practice. Dru emphasized the importance of listening to customers’ pain points and equipping them with tailored solutions to streamline their workflows completely. "If we provide them solutions that solve their core pain points uniquely, and they love them, and they trust us, then they're going to let us do more for them," Dru noted. This customer-centric approach has been a driving force behind 8am's impressive growth, which includes being named one of Inc. 5000's Fastest Growing Companies for 13 years in a row.
Embracing A New Era
Dru discussed 8am's latest product developments, which will transform how firms run their operations. 8am introduced MyCase Smart Spend, which was designed to address the financial management needs of attorneys. This tool allows legal professionals to gain full visibility into firm spending and has total peace of mind that all reimbursable expenses are being collected from clients.
In addition to MyCase Smart Spend, Dru highlighted the importance of Generative AI in legal and accounting practices. Earlier this year, 8am introduced AffiniPay IQ, a new purpose-built feature that securely incorporates AI into daily workflows for legal professionals across its legal tech stack. "We want to be that partner that helps them prepare their practice for the future," Dru explained. Her vision displays the commitment 8am has not just to meet,but anticipate the needs of their clients.
Championing Diversity in Leadership
Dru's passion for fostering an inclusive environment reflects her broader goal of closing the gender gap in leadership roles within the fintech industry. By leading with empathy and building a diverse team, she hopes to encourage more women to take on leadership positions.
Dru is an inspiring female CEO, leading 8am to new milestones and establishing it as one of the top privately held companies in the country. She has been recognized as one of the most influential women in fintech by American Banker, with accolades for her leadership in Austin's business community. Dru emphasizes the importance of compassion and listening in leadership with qualities that resonate well in building a strong team culture at 8am, where over 40% of the workforce is female.
Looking Ahead
Dru Armstrong’s appearance at Nasdaq’s headquarters was more than just celebrating 8am’s achievements. It was also about charting a course for future innovations as the company grows rapidly. She recognized the critical role played by the company’s Executive leadership and high-performing departmental teams, which make up the unique culture of the 8am offices in Austin and San Diego.
To view the full interview with Nasdaq, please visit: here.
