Media-Insert is invited to write a chapter for the IDM Marketing Guide on CRM and e-CRM tools

On the following blog it is argued that customer relationship management or CRM has been around for 20 years, but let's face the fact that it has been around for much longer. This is because CRM is about more than just technology; it is about people and processes in the first instances. So it has, I would argue, existed since the first time man created some form of transaction with another person.

Furthermore, the trouble is that the modern concepts of CRM turn the 'Customer is King' paradigm on its head with the implication that they can be managed. Customers in fact want to manage the relationship, and they have the ability with a widening range of channels to decide more and more quickly whether they want to buy a product from, say, yourselves, or one from a competitor.

Even so I think that 'Picking the right CRM' is a good read and great blog for those seeking to find the right tool for the achieving a customer-centric CRM or CMR job. Meanwhile, I am seeking some research and commentary into CRM and e-CRM tools for the chapter on this subject that I am writing for the Institute of Direct Marketing's Marketing Guide. If there is anyone out there who'd like to like to help me with my research, please call me on Skype: gajarvis or +44 20 8661 8965.

Media-Insert: Graham Jarvis Media Services also has a new blog: http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/crm/mediainsert/