At Imonic, we are often asked what are some of the key lessons and learnings that we would share for an organisation or brand looking to adopt or progress their Strategic Account Management or Key Account Management (SAM/KAM) Approach.
Here we take a look at some of those key learnings related to the implementation of SAM/KAM and have highlighted separately, in two tables, those learnings that are at a strategy or programme management level, versus those learnings at an Account Team level.
Confusion about what KAM is and what you are setting out to achieve with KAM
Create & Communicate a clear ambition for KAM in your country
Everyone is clear what KAM is to your business, where it fits with other priorities and why you need to work this way
Capability building confined to the Account Teams
Build the capability of leadership; particularly for:
When leadership are both competent and actively engaged in KAM – they drive the evolution and continual improvement in the quality of Account Management
Functional priorities and compliance obstacles allow silo-working to dominate
Promote the power of shared goals and the benefits of cross-functional working
Stakeholders recognize a joined-up way of working & better sequenced activity reaches account objectives quicker
Account level data & insights gathering process is undertaken to various standards across the business
Formalise an insight gathering process for each key account
Drives higher quality & innovative Account Team objectives. Creates deeper stakeholder engagement based on relevant insights
KAM Objectives being too brand focussed
Consider a ‘Triple Win’ approach throughout your KAM process
Account Teams focus on those opportunities that will yield most benefit to patients, the account and the brand/company
Offering Solutions and services in a copy & paste format across multiple accounts
Develop & implement Solutions & Services based on unmet needs
Solutions and Services add real value and create genuine partnerships with key accounts