Not all clients are created equally and pharmaceutical companies realise that they may not treat them all with a similar approach, due to the competitive nature of this environment. This can be due to their position of dominance within the market, the volume of transactions or any other strategic elements making them of particular interest to the company. As such, key account management strategies must be implemented and communicated to the sales and marketing team as the company aims to cement relationships with these principles.

Client management can be a complicated undertaking, involving public relations issues, politics and positioning just as much as it can be about the provision of services. While fundamentally the overall approach to client management must be decided at the executive level, implementation on a daily basis requires the effort of the sales and marketing team as the pharmaceutical consulting firm advises strategies and positions.

Attention to fine detail is required here, like in no other environment, once an account has been classified as of strategic importance. The key accounts in turn will value the relationship with the pharmaceutical company more highly, especially if they are predisposed to a more interactive approach. The ultimate goal involves making the key client’s position easier, focusing on product availability at the most competitive rates and being attached to the highest level of education.

Key account management can be broken down into five distinct areas:

Principally, the nature of the relationship must be agreed and understood by all parties. The exact nature of the relationship must be communicated throughout the company structure, so that an integrated response is always applicable. A level of formality should be achieved and maintained, incorporating reviews and communication as appropriate, but the ultimate goal should be to strengthen the bond between them.

Key account management involves the building of trust and two-way commitment. When the client is comfortable, it will relax funding and resources associated with program activities and enter a comfort zone with the pharmaceutical company. This new level of efficiency prompts even more commitment. Generally, pharmaceutical consultants are well-versed in this style of approach and can help to cut through any misunderstandings.

When it comes to the sales and marketing team, the customer accounts must be fully reviewed, its content absorbed and potential understood. In truly key accounts, the pharmaceutical company will help the client through the dissemination of important trends and industry data. This is always fluid and dynamic and thus the company sales and marketing team must be always aware and trained appropriately.

From time to time, issues will arise. Conflicts are to be always avoided as they can create weaknesses in an association, but constructive conclusions should always be drawn as these could indeed lead to different paths and an even stronger relationship, down the road.

Key account management requires a continuous review of satisfaction. This will in turn help to reveal some potential stumbling blocks in the future and allow for the swift resolution of any issues or challenges as and when they arise.

All of these five concepts are revealed and explained within the pharma consulting approach.

Alan Gillies is the Director of L2L Consulting, an elite pharmaceutical consultancy firm which specialises in Strategy Development and Implementation Excellence for prestigious multi-national organisations.

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