kunderfor

Kunderfor is a term used in Scandinavian business discourse to describe a formal platform or body that gathers input from customers to influence company strategy, product development, and service delivery. The concept emphasizes structured dialogue, accountability, and transparency between a company and its customer base.

Etymology and usage: The term is derived from Danish/Norwegian roots where "kunder" means customers. It is not a universal standard across industries, and in English-language contexts the phenomenon is typically described as a customer advisory board, user council, or co-creation forum.

Structure and activities: A kunderfor may be an invited or elected group that meets periodically—quarterly or biannually—and may operate as an online community or in-person forum. Activities include prioritized roadmapping, feature requests, beta testing, usability studies, and governance oversight. Decision rights vary; some forums provide recommendation power, while others act in a consultative role with formal escalation paths.

Benefits and criticisms: Proponents argue that it improves product-market fit, reduces development risk, and strengthens customer loyalty. Criticisms include potential bias if participants are not representative, risk of tokenism, and the challenge of translating forum input into concrete product decisions.

Context and related concepts: The kunderfor aligns with broader trends in customer co-creation and participatory design, including customer advisory boards and user communities. Its success depends on clear objectives, governance, and response mechanisms. Related concepts include customer advisory boards, user communities, and co-creation.