Relationship management
Relationship management is the practice of deliberately maintaining and growing your relationships, instead of reaching out only when you need something.
Definition
The term in practitioner language.
Why it matters
The decision or habit this vocabulary clarifies.
In Wend
A product tie-in, kept separate from the definition.
Relationship management is the ongoing work of remembering people, keeping in touch, following through on promises and connecting others, done intentionally rather than by chance. For individuals it is the personal counterpart to a company's CRM discipline.
Done well, it's quiet and consistent: small, timely, value-add touches rather than occasional bursts when you need something.
Why it matters
Careers, fundraises and opportunities flow through relationships. Managing them deliberately, instead of only reaching out when you have an ask, is what separates a working network from a contact list.