VRM vision

VRM, or Vendor Relationship Management, is the reciprocal of CRM or Customer Relationship Management. VRM describes a set of tools, technologies and services that help individuals go to market and manage relationships with vendors. In turn, vendors aligning themselves to these tools, technologies and services have the opportunity to build better relationships with their customers.

The goal of VRM is to improve the relationship between Demand and Supply by providing new and better ways for the former to relate to the latter. In a larger sense, VRM immodestly intends to improve markets and their mechanisms by equipping customers to be independent leaders and not just captive followers in their relationships with vendors and other parties on the supply side of the marketplace.

History

CRM systems for the duration have borne the full burden of relating with customers. VRM will provide customers with the means to bear some of that weight, and to help make markets work for both vendors and customers — in ways that don't require the former to "lock in" the latter.

• Where name came from
• Where idea came from (relationship with the Cluetrain Manifesto)
  • Core concepts & shifting landscape: Internet increasing alienation between consumer and vendor, etc.
• How VRM has helped leverage (and tries to see ahead of) ideas being worked on in the identity space, etc.

Problems With CRM

• Don't get me started!

Project VRM

• Berkman Center - Steering Committee
• Doc Searls, Champion
• Objectives

Challenges for VRM

For VRM to work, vendors must have reason to value it, and customers must have reasons to invest the necessary time, effort and attention to making it work. Providing those reasons to both sides is the primary challenge for VRM.

• Iconoclastic anti-vendor perception
• Need killer apps

VRM Example Uses

List practical, leading examples of best proposed uses for VRM. Link to Use Cases (if any)

• Personal Address Manager

VRM Companies

Companies, sellers, vendors all may have existing examples of VRM. Please post them here.

Additional Links

• VRM FAQ