This document provides information and resources for preparing for a strategic account manager interview. It lists the top 10 strategic account manager interview questions and provides detailed answers for each. It also includes additional useful materials such as links to ebooks on common interview questions and secrets to winning job interviews, types of interview questions, interview checklists, cover letter and resume samples, and ways to search for new jobs.
The Strategic Account Plan is designed to help the account management team effectively prepare and stay focused on the customer’s business objectives and goals to ensure they achieve the planned results, create a consistent experience for the customer, and ultimately identify how they can make a positive impact on the customer’s business.
11 Statistics That Should Scare Every ManagerElodie A.
Every manager’s worst nightmare is having employees that aren’t engaged. Here are 11 statistics that should scare every manager.
Content by Officevibe, the simplest tool for a greater workplace!
Learn more:
www.officevibe.com
Read our blog:
www.officevibe.com/blog
Consistent b-to-b account growth is often hindered by organizations creating barriers to cross-selling and up-selling. This white paper outlines the 3 critical components of Strategic Account Management (S.A.M.) Plans that high performing b-to-b organizations use to eliminate those barriers and excel at organic account growth.
The Strategic Account Plan is designed to help the account management team effectively prepare and stay focused on the customer’s business objectives and goals to ensure they achieve the planned results, create a consistent experience for the customer, and ultimately identify how they can make a positive impact on the customer’s business.
11 Statistics That Should Scare Every ManagerElodie A.
Every manager’s worst nightmare is having employees that aren’t engaged. Here are 11 statistics that should scare every manager.
Content by Officevibe, the simplest tool for a greater workplace!
Learn more:
www.officevibe.com
Read our blog:
www.officevibe.com/blog
Consistent b-to-b account growth is often hindered by organizations creating barriers to cross-selling and up-selling. This white paper outlines the 3 critical components of Strategic Account Management (S.A.M.) Plans that high performing b-to-b organizations use to eliminate those barriers and excel at organic account growth.
Now that you’ve developed your strategy to optimize customer usage, loyalty and renewal, use this Customer Success Action Plan template to outline the activities you and your team will implement in order to reach your goals.
Growing your business via strategic account management frameworkPiyush Poddar
This session will take you through our Account Management Practice and share some real-life case studies demonstrating how we hit target sales quota by 2-3x and achieved maximum strategic account objectives within the desired timeline.
We will look at various aspects of a successful Customer Account Management framework like
- Customer onboarding process
- Kickoff meetings
- Routine engagement health check-ins
- Invoicing and collections management
- Satisfaction surveys and testimonials management
- Complaint and grievances management
- Contract renewals and extensions.
- Opportunity exploration via researching client’s organisation, industry, seeking references, social media listening etc.
- Evangelizing client via social, digital marketing and event participations.
SDR and Marketing Alignment: Coordinating GTM StrategyTenbound
Learn how to work collaboratively with your marketing organization to reduce redundancy, maximize touches, and increase transparency in support of your organizations GTM strategy.
https://www.wrike.com/blog/working-with-difficult-team-members-infographic/ - As a manager, you will inevitably encounter a difficult team member and must prepare for that eventuality. The trick is to manage difficult team situations without coming off as the bad guy. And for that you will need our infographic tips for properly identifying and addressing difficult team members. Read on!
How We Reorganized Our Entire Post-Sales OrganizationGainsight
One of Gainsight's principles is to "Carry the Torch" for the Customer Success industry. We've shared a lot about innovations in our processes, but not as much about our organization. In this session, Allison Pickens, VP of Customer Success and Business Operations at Gainsight, will share the story of how we re-organized post-sales to drive success for our customers.
SaaS Pricing Strategies that Work: How to Design an Optimal Pricing Model wit...saastr
Most SaaS companies are not using pricing to its full potential. We all know pricing is important, but because it is complicated, and often intimidating, we choose an overly simplistic approach. This session will highlight some evidence-based principles that will help you avoid common pricing mistakes and put you on the fast-track to capturing opportunity, without getting lost in analysis, data, and conflicting opinions.
Key or strategic accounts are your most important clients. Not only are they your most important clients; they are also the ones that are at most risk of being wooed by your competition. For most companies, reducing prices to compete has become a staple sales strategy. However, this strategy seriously threatens the survival of the organization. This is why managing and developing key accounts is an essential skill to have, if we want to stay ahead of the competition!
We have to realize that, in today’s market place, price alone does not determine sales or profitability. It is essential for you to be able to differentiate yourself and your products and services in order to survive it this cut-throat environment. If you can’t compel, you won’t sell. If you can’t maintain your influence over your key clients, you may as well kiss them goodbye.
Our Knowledge Asia’s “Dynamic Key Accounts Management” training course will help you develop strategic account management techniques that ensure not only the protection of your existing clients from competitive attack, but, more significantly, build long and sustainable relationships resulting in excellent customer retention, improved sales, increasing margins and ongoing customer loyalty
Terminus' Director of Marketing Operations, Stephanie Kelly, shares the account-based marketing programs she has developed internally at Terminus. She shares how she created an "always-on" pipeline velocity program to support the account executives as well as how she developed bespoke ABM campaigns for events and expands reach into accounts for inbound efforts.
We give you a framework for creating a B2B Sales Playbook - section by section, with key info about questions to consider when writing your own Sales Playbook.
Find out more about how to create your own Sales Playbook at: https://contemsa.com/sales-playbook/
The Definitive Guide to Customer Success 2017Lincoln Murphy
The Customer Success movement has taken the SaaS industry by storm, even requiring an updated SaaS Business Model definition.
But what exactly is Customer Success? Is it an organizational mindset? Is it a corporate strategy? Is it a set of tactics designed to produce happy, successful customers that in turn creates success for you, the SaaS vendor?
The answer is... all of the above.
In this guide I've enumerated 17 key elements of Customer Success for SaaS companies. I hope it helps you reach your goals.
Now that you’ve developed your strategy to optimize customer usage, loyalty and renewal, use this Customer Success Action Plan template to outline the activities you and your team will implement in order to reach your goals.
Growing your business via strategic account management frameworkPiyush Poddar
This session will take you through our Account Management Practice and share some real-life case studies demonstrating how we hit target sales quota by 2-3x and achieved maximum strategic account objectives within the desired timeline.
We will look at various aspects of a successful Customer Account Management framework like
- Customer onboarding process
- Kickoff meetings
- Routine engagement health check-ins
- Invoicing and collections management
- Satisfaction surveys and testimonials management
- Complaint and grievances management
- Contract renewals and extensions.
- Opportunity exploration via researching client’s organisation, industry, seeking references, social media listening etc.
- Evangelizing client via social, digital marketing and event participations.
SDR and Marketing Alignment: Coordinating GTM StrategyTenbound
Learn how to work collaboratively with your marketing organization to reduce redundancy, maximize touches, and increase transparency in support of your organizations GTM strategy.
https://www.wrike.com/blog/working-with-difficult-team-members-infographic/ - As a manager, you will inevitably encounter a difficult team member and must prepare for that eventuality. The trick is to manage difficult team situations without coming off as the bad guy. And for that you will need our infographic tips for properly identifying and addressing difficult team members. Read on!
How We Reorganized Our Entire Post-Sales OrganizationGainsight
One of Gainsight's principles is to "Carry the Torch" for the Customer Success industry. We've shared a lot about innovations in our processes, but not as much about our organization. In this session, Allison Pickens, VP of Customer Success and Business Operations at Gainsight, will share the story of how we re-organized post-sales to drive success for our customers.
SaaS Pricing Strategies that Work: How to Design an Optimal Pricing Model wit...saastr
Most SaaS companies are not using pricing to its full potential. We all know pricing is important, but because it is complicated, and often intimidating, we choose an overly simplistic approach. This session will highlight some evidence-based principles that will help you avoid common pricing mistakes and put you on the fast-track to capturing opportunity, without getting lost in analysis, data, and conflicting opinions.
Key or strategic accounts are your most important clients. Not only are they your most important clients; they are also the ones that are at most risk of being wooed by your competition. For most companies, reducing prices to compete has become a staple sales strategy. However, this strategy seriously threatens the survival of the organization. This is why managing and developing key accounts is an essential skill to have, if we want to stay ahead of the competition!
We have to realize that, in today’s market place, price alone does not determine sales or profitability. It is essential for you to be able to differentiate yourself and your products and services in order to survive it this cut-throat environment. If you can’t compel, you won’t sell. If you can’t maintain your influence over your key clients, you may as well kiss them goodbye.
Our Knowledge Asia’s “Dynamic Key Accounts Management” training course will help you develop strategic account management techniques that ensure not only the protection of your existing clients from competitive attack, but, more significantly, build long and sustainable relationships resulting in excellent customer retention, improved sales, increasing margins and ongoing customer loyalty
Terminus' Director of Marketing Operations, Stephanie Kelly, shares the account-based marketing programs she has developed internally at Terminus. She shares how she created an "always-on" pipeline velocity program to support the account executives as well as how she developed bespoke ABM campaigns for events and expands reach into accounts for inbound efforts.
We give you a framework for creating a B2B Sales Playbook - section by section, with key info about questions to consider when writing your own Sales Playbook.
Find out more about how to create your own Sales Playbook at: https://contemsa.com/sales-playbook/
The Definitive Guide to Customer Success 2017Lincoln Murphy
The Customer Success movement has taken the SaaS industry by storm, even requiring an updated SaaS Business Model definition.
But what exactly is Customer Success? Is it an organizational mindset? Is it a corporate strategy? Is it a set of tactics designed to produce happy, successful customers that in turn creates success for you, the SaaS vendor?
The answer is... all of the above.
In this guide I've enumerated 17 key elements of Customer Success for SaaS companies. I hope it helps you reach your goals.
Top 10 financial manager interview questions and answers
Top 10 strategic account manager interview questions and answers
1. Top 10 strategic account manager interview
questions and answers
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• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
2. 1. Why do you want this strategic account manager job?
Again, companies want to hire people
who are passionate about the job, so you
should have a great answer about why
you want the position. (And if you don't?
You probably should apply elsewhere.)
First, identify a couple of key factors that
make the role a great fit for you (e.g., “I
love customer support because I love the
constant human interaction and the
satisfaction that comes from helping
someone solve a problem"), then share
why you love the company (e.g., “I’ve
always been passionate about education,
and I think you guys are doing great
things, so I want to be a part of it”).
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
3. 2. What have you learned from mistakes on the strategic
account manager job?
Candidates without specific examples often
do not seem credible. However, the example
shared should be fairly inconsequential,
unintentional, and a learned lesson should
be gleaned from it. Moving ahead without
group assistance while assigned to a group
project meant to be collaborative is a good
example.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
4. 3. What challenges are you looking for in this strategic
account manager position?
A typical interview question to determine what you
are looking for your in next job, and whether you
would be a good fit for the position being hired for,
is "What challenges are you looking for in a
position?"
The best way to answer questions about the
challenges you are seeking is to discuss how you
would like to be able to effectively utilize your
skills and experience if you were hired for the job.
You can also mention that you are motivated by
challenges, have the ability to effectively meet
challenges, and have the flexibility and skills
necessary to handle a challenging job.
You can continue by describing specific examples
of challenges you have met and goals you have
achieved in the past.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
5. 4. Describe a typical work week for strategic account
manager position?
Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to
discuss what they do while they are working in
detail. Before you answer, consider the position
you are applying for and how your current or past
positions relate to it. The more you can connect
your past experience with the job opening, the
more successful you will be at answering the
questions.
It should be obvious that it's not a good idea talk
about non-work related activities that you do on
company time, but, I've had applicants tell me how
they are often late because they have to drive a
child to school or like to take a long lunch break to
work at the gym.
Keep your answers focused on work and show the
interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I
do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and
email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.")
and efficient.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
6. 5. What is your biggest weakness?
No one likes to answer this question because it
requires a very delicate balance. You simply can’t
lie and say you don’t have one; you can’t trick the
interviewer by offering up a personal weakness
that is really a strength (“Sometimes, I work too
much and don’t maintain a work-life balance.”);
and you shouldn’t be so honest that you throw
yourself under the bus (“I’m not a morning person
so I’m working on getting to the office on time.”)
Think of a small flaw like “I sometimes get
sidetracked by small details”, “I am occasionally
not as patient as I should be with subordinates or
co-workers who do not understand my ideas”, or “I
am still somewhat nervous and uncomfortable with
my public-speaking skills and would like to give
more presentations and talk in front of others or in
meetings.” Add that you are aware of the problem
and you are doing your best to correct it by taking
a course of action.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
7. 6. Why should the we hire you as strategic account manager
position?
This is the part where you link your skills,
experience, education and your personality to the
job itself. This is why you need to be utterly
familiar with the job description as well as the
company culture. Remember though, it’s best to
back them up with actual examples of say, how
you are a good team player.
It is possible that you may not have as much skills,
experience or qualifications as the other
candidates. What then, will set you apart from
the rest? Energy and passion might. People are
attracted to someone who is charismatic, who
show immense amount of energy when they talk,
and who love what it is that they do. As you
explain your compatibility with the job and
company, be sure to portray yourself as that
motivated, confident and energetic person, ever-
ready to commit to the cause of the company.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
8. 7. What do you know about our company?
Follow these three easy research tips before your next
job interview:
1) Visit the company website; look in the “about us”
section and “careers” sections
2) Visit the company’s LinkedIn page (note, you must
have a LinkedIn account — its free to sign up) to view
information about the company
3) Google a keyword search phrase like “press releases”
followed by the company name; you’ll find the most
recent news stories shared by the company
Remember, just because you have done your
“homework”, it does not mean you need to share ALL of
it during the interview! Reciting every fact you’ve
learned is almost as much of a turn off as not knowing
anything at all! At a minimum, you should include the
following in your answer:
1. What type of product or service the company sells
2. How long the company has been in business
3. What the company culture is like OR what the
company mission statement is, and how the culture
and/or mission relate to your values or personality
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
9. 8. Why do you want to work with us?
More likely than not, the interviewer wishes to see
how much you know about the company culture,
and whether you can identify with the
organization’s values and vision. Every
organization has its strong points, and these are the
ones that you should highlight in your answer. For
example, if the company emphasizes on integrity
with customers, then you mention that you would
like to be in such a team because you yourself
believe in integrity.
It doesn’t have to be a lie. In the case that your
values are not in line with the ones by the
company, ask yourself if you would be happy
working there. If you have no issue with that, go
ahead. But if you are aware of the company culture
and realize that there is some dilemma you might
be facing, you ought to think twice. The best
policy is to be honest with yourself, and be honest
with the interviewer with what is it in the company
culture that motivates you.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
10. 9. Did the salary we offer attract you to this strategic
account manager job?
The interviewer could be asking you this
question for a number of reasons.
Obviously, the salary is an important factor
to your interest in this job, but it should not
be the overriding reason for your interest. A
good answer to this question is, “The salary
was very attractive, but the job itself is what
was most attractive to me.”
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
11. 10. Do you have any questions to ask us?
Never ask Salary, perks, leave, place of
posting, etc. regarded questions.
Try to ask more about the company to show
how early you can make a contribution to
your organization like
“Sir, with your kind permission I would like
to know more about induction and
developmental programs?”
OR
Sir, I would like to have my feedback, so that
I can analyze and improve my strengths and
rectify my shortcomings.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
16. Other interview tips for strategic account manager interview
1. Practice types of job interview such as screening
interview, phone interview, second interview,
situational interview, behavioral interview
(competency based), technical interview, group
interview…
2. Send interview thank you letter to employers
after finishing the job interview: first interview,
follow-up interview, final interview.
3. If you want more interview questions for entry-
level, internship, freshers, experienced candidates,
you can ref free ebook: 75 interview questions and
answers.
4. Prepare list of questions in order to ask the
employer during job interview.
5. Note: This file is available for free download.
Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews
17. Fields related to strategic account manager career:
The above job description can be used for fields as:
Construction, manufacturing, healthcare, non profit, advertising, agile, architecture, automotive,
agency, budget, building, business development, consulting, communication, clinical research,
design, software development, product development, interior design, web development,
engineering, education, events, electrical, exhibition, energy, ngo, finance, fashion, green card, oil
gas, hospital, it, marketing, media, mining, nhs, non technical, oil and gas, offshore,
pharmaceutical, real estate, retail, research, human resources, telecommunications, technology,
technical, senior, digital, software, web, clinical, hr, infrastructure, business, erp, creative, ict,
hvac, sales, quality management, uk, implementation, network, operations, architectural,
environmental, crm, website, interactive, security, supply chain, logistics, training, project
management, administrative management…
The above interview questions also can be used for job title levels: entry level strategic account
manager, junior strategic account manager, senior strategic account manager, strategic account
manager assistant, strategic account manager associate, strategic account manager administrator,
strategic account manager clerk, strategic account manager coordinator, strategic account
manager consultant, strategic account manager controller, strategic account manager director,
strategic account manager engineer, strategic account manager executive, strategic account
manager leader, strategic account manager manager, strategic account manager officer, strategic
account manager specialist, strategic account manager supervisor, VP strategic account
manager…Useful materials: • topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-80-interview-questions-and-answers
• topinterviewquestions.info/free-ebook-top-18-secrets-to-win-every-job-interviews