An account manager is a person employed by a company who oversees a client’s portfolio. Their primary functions are fostering the relationship between the client and the service provider company; identifying the client’s needs and assisting the client to achieve its short-term and long-term goals. They are the liaison between the company and the client.
Account managers are proficient in client-focused solutions, project management, communication, persuasion, interpersonal skills and they have exceptional emotional intelligence. They take the pressure off clients and structure their needs. They ensure that the company delivers solutions for the client’s problems.
The job of an account manager is not for everyone. It requires patience, resilience, accuracy, meticulous attention to detail, organisational skills and timeous reporting habits. This leads many people to believe that account managers are born rather than made. Here are a few key traits account managers have;
Traits of an Accounts Manager
They know what they’re doing
It is a well-known fact that account managers must be knowledgeable. They must understand the client’s goals, they must know the client’s industry like it is their own (including its strengths and weaknesses) and must be able to identify competitors from a mile away.
They focus on relationships
They care about gaining the trust of their clients and they put their clients’ needs first. They push that bit extra to show clients they are there to service them and they care about their business goals.
