Managing authentic relationships has been important in every age. Barter trade was based on reciprocity; by exchanging goods or services, the needs of both parties could be met. Sensitivity to the interests of the other and a relevant exchange of needs are still the basis of professional relationship management.

This book will sharpen your sensitivity to stakeholder interests. You will be inspired to create added value to a network and optimize cooperation. This book offers a guide to strengthening trust. The guiding principle is a holistic view of relationship management — fulfilling stakeholder interests by being relevant, connected, and reliable.

As representatives of the public and private sectors, it is our pleasure to combine the leading practical and scientific views on Strategic Relationship Management in this book, thereby happily offering you an introduction to successful networking. We thank the authors and the members of the Advisory and Supervisory Board of the Institute of Strategic Relationship Management for sharing their knowledge and expertise to support the creation of this invaluable manuscript.

Managing authentic relationships is an art; an art you will learn to master by reading this unique book. Using this guidance, you can learn to make a measurable contribution to the strategic goals of an organization – the Return-on-Relationship.