To be the best account manager you must be able to balance great customer service with ensuring you meet your business goals. With the help of the 08Direct team we have put together our top 5 traits all account managers should have.

1. Know the company and be a product expert

A good account manager knows every part of the company and the industry they belong to and they are very much a product expert. They should be able to offer solutions to any issues that arise, as well as recommend new improvements or upgrade.

An account manager should know their competition, both their strengths and weaknesses. You need to be able to compete as well as understand what your company does better than anyone else.

2. Never be under prepared

Meetings and review updates are a regular occurance for any account manager. Both your customers and senior management team will look to you for both recommendations and progress updates.

A meeting can often be called with limited time to prepare so keeping on top of your tasks and having everything to hand is vital to maintain your professionalism.

3. Build strong customer relationships

In order to be a successful account manager you need to build strong relationships with your clients. They will need to trust you and your judgement so going the extra mile to build a strong rapport with your clients is key to your success.

Building trust will not only result in you bringing in more business, but it will ensure they remain loyal to you. Your competitors will be looking to take your clients away but your relationships should be strong enough to prevent this, even if they are offered a cheaper service.

4. Clearly communicate with your colleagues

As an account manager you will be the first line of contact for your customers. If they require new services or have any issues they will expect you to both understand their needs and promptly provide a solution.

This can often mean working with different departments and individuals within your company so being able to communicate clearly with them is essential.

5. Be business orientated

Everything you do should be in the best interests of both your client and the business you represent. Each account manager should be aware of industry changes and identify new opportunities for growth.

You should make qualified decisions using both data and your experience to execute the best possible path for your clients.