After three years of hard work by 30+ volunteers, on February 8, 2023, the first of the series of five books about “Bringing a BRM Team to Life”, was released. The three leaders of this volunteer team, or Knowledge Team, as BRM Institute calls them, presented the Introduction playbook.
As the name implies, this first publication sets the stage of what is coming next. Each playbook addresses the ideal lifecycle of a Business Relationship Management, or BRM, team. From the moment there is no team, all the way through to when the team is functioning as expected and is continuously improving.
Bringing a BRM Team to Life – An Introduction Playbook
The first playbook introduces the reader to the basics. What is a BRM Team? Why having a BRM Team? What type of BRM team does an organization need? And more.
Below is the list of chapters the playbook is comprised of:
- BRM Team Definition
- Why Do We Need a BRM Team?
- Leveraging Value From a BRM Team
- Assessing Organizational Readiness
- Architect the Team
- Introducing BRM Team Competency Model
- Summary
- Goals and Next Steps
- Glossary
- Resources and Recommended Reading
A notable chapter to highlight is the chapter about the BRM Team Competency Model. It introduces a measuring stick for the maturity level of a BRM Team. As well as how to progress from one level to the next.
The series is comprised of playbooks. This means that the reader can expect exercises, quizzes, and how-to information. In other words, besides the expected knowledge sharing, the reader is also encouraged to apply it. By doing so, the hope is that the information “sticks”. And that the reader starts applying the knowledge the playbook offers.
The Value of the Series of Playbooks
Why should you purchase a copy of these playbooks? In short, a BRM Team is more than a organizing a group of business relationship managers. And then calling it a team. The playbooks do not focus on what these BRMs should be doing. This is covered extensively in the BRMiBOK of BRM Institute, the business relationship management interactive body of knowledge.
The playbooks provide the third leg of the business relationship management stool.
In other words, the playbooks complement existing content of the body of knowledge. And refers to it whenever possible. You must agree that this “BRM Stool” with a third leg sits a lot more comfortable.
The Series of Playbooks
What are other titles of the series? And when will they be released?
The Knowledge Team of BRM Institute expects to release two playbooks in 2023 and two in 2024. The working titles of the subsequent releases is listed below.
- Planning Your BRM Team
- Implementing Your BRM Team
- Running Your BRM Team
- Enhancing Your BRM Team
As you can tell, each phase of the lifecycle of a team is covered. Expect that the second playbook will elaborate extensively on preparing for the success of the BRM Team. It will cover aspects often being overlooked by BRM Teams.
The Journey of the Knowledge Team
As the initiating leader of the Knowledge Team and architect of the playbook series, Mart Rovers of INTERPROM depicts below the journey of the Knowledge Team.
The journey of the Knowledge Team started during the summer of 2019. It was during that time that several BRM Teams seized to exist. With little immediate guidance available, Mart Rovers sprung into action. Initially with offering workshops and coaching for BRM Teams. But soon he realized that a collaboration with BRM Institute would reach more teams in need of guidance.
The Knowledge Team that was the result of this collaboration grew within months after its launch to 25+ volunteers. This interest in this topic was overwhelming. The group was split in sub-teams. And each started producing valuable content for every playbook.
When the pandemic hit, the team shrunk as was expected. Also the release of the new body of knowledge of BRM Institute did slow down the team’s efforts due to a shift of focus.
With the help several professionals the institute had brought on board, the Knowledge Team enjoyed a boost on 2021, which continued in 2022. The team was fortunate to have several hardworking members who pulled the first playbook across the finish line late 2022. Just in time to release the first playbook during BRMWeek 2023. The week that BRM Institute celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Purchasing the Playbook
Where can you purchase this first playbook the Knowledge Team has produced? The paperback copy is for sale on Amazon around the globe. This link, takes you to US site of Amazon. Please visit Amazon in your own country and search for “Bringing a BRM Team to Life” and you should be able locate it. The author is BRM Institute. And the ISBN number is 979-8376291719.
Next Steps
Intrigued by everything that you have read so far? And looking for additional guidance? Or maybe even some training? Check out the list of options that you have at your discretion below. We hope you will enjoy this read!
- BRM Executive Brief (free)
- BRM Fundamentals – a one-day introduction to business relationship management
- BRMP Certification – a three-day professional-level certification training course
- CRBM Certification – a five-day practitioner-level certification training course
- Certified B2B BRM Certification – a two-day ISO 44001 certification training course
- BRM Practice Labs – bite-sized training and application of a BRM technique while guided by a coach
- BRM Coaching – coaching for individuals or for BRM Teams
- BRM Workshops – apply the BRM concepts and techniques while guided by a facilitator