What is an Account Manager?

So during my normal working hours I’m an Account Manager for my dad’s company, United Auto Accessories. We’re an auto accessories manufacturing and distribution company. If you’re interested in the aftermarket car industry stuff like the Fast and Furious movies then you’ll love what we do. If this stuff bores you, then you’ll have major headaches here. Zoom zoom.

Clients always ask my what kind of car I drive and then I tell them I haven’t done anything to it and they stare in disbelief. haha. I’d rather spend my money on food.

So I’ve learned a bit about managing and developing several accounts (clients) for the company. I shall share some knowledge in case you’re ever interested in Account Management in the retail or wholesale industry (we’re actually hiring btw, wink wink).

1. You’re a bit like a friendly alarm clock
   • You help them to remember to keep stock of their inventory so they don’t yell at you later when they realize they’re out of stuff and blame you for it
   • They run a business and need some help. You’re that help!
2. You’re a friend (sometimes)
   • Sometimes business owners want to have someone to complain to who understands their business who isn’t their employee (because they pay them and would make them nervous if they knew things were bad)
   • You can empathize with them. Very easily because if they don’t make sales, you don’t either. haha.
   • If you have a good relationship, they’ll tell you about the cool projects they’re working on (which might actually be cooler than the cars you see in the Fast and Furious movies).
   • If you screw up something or even if you didn’t but something goes wrong, you become the scapegoat.
3. Service matters (A LOT)
   • Simple things like offering a return label for a wrong order they made or calling them back within an hour makes them think the world of you!
   • Text or email them and keep the communication frequent! They’ll think of you more often which means they’ll buy more stuff from you!
   • They’ll treat you well if you do the same for them. The golden rule works (for 90% of customers).
4. You’re a Guide
   • You help to introduce new products to your clients which could help to bring them more profit (and you too). With these things you’ll be the one who teaches them how to sell it, how to price it, and possibly even be the tech support in case anything wrong happens.
5. Tips
   • Don’t give your personal number away, even if they give you an excuse. They’ll abuse it. Seriously.
   • Smile when you talk, it comes through on the other side 🙂