When I started at CRM, I was told that I would receive a lot of press releases and pitches. I gracefully acknowledged this warning and was met with a resounding “No, really. You will receive a lot.” I quickly realized that my Midwest charm was not going to tame the beast. Don’t get me wrong, I am flattered and appreciate the story ideas and opportunities that come my way, but yes, it is overwhelming.

As I sunk my teeth into my tofu Pad Thai last night, my Blackberry vibrated. Kind of a buzzkill. Anyway, being the technology addict that I am. I took a break from my dinner to see what was up. What did I find? That’s right, another story pitch. However this particular e-mail caught my eye. Jade Natal of Lewis Pulse wrote:

Hi Brittany,

With magazines chocked full of relationship advice, it’s no mystery that relationships are difficult. And like an individual trying to navigate the complexities of love, companies experience the same trials and tribulations with their customer relationships.

She continues:

Managing consumer-brand relationships can be a complicated and often murky endeavor—and this lack of clarity can be problematic when businesses are trying to make the most out of their customer feedback programs.

Brilliant. I spend a lot of time explaining to my friends and family what the heck CRM actually entails. Natal provides a wonderful analogy and captures the joy I have as an editor for this publication. So the next time that I met with a blank stare, I guarantee that I will mention this love affair.