What do you do if your account managers lack the key traits and characteristics of successful innovation?

1 Identify Gaps

To address a lack of innovation traits in your account managers, begin by identifying the specific areas where they fall short. This requires a thorough assessment of their skills and behaviors in relation to what is considered best practice in innovative account management. Once you have pinpointed the gaps, you can tailor training and development programs that target these specific needs. By focusing on areas like strategic thinking, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving, you can help your account managers cultivate the traits necessary for successful innovation.

2 Foster Culture

Fostering a culture of innovation within your team is crucial. It's about creating an environment where account managers feel encouraged to think creatively and take calculated risks. This involves recognizing and rewarding innovative ideas and approaches, even when they don't lead to immediate success. Encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing among your team can also spark new ideas and approaches, helping to cultivate the innovative traits that your account managers may be lacking.

3 Provide Tools

Equipping your account managers with the right tools is essential for fostering innovation. This includes access to customer relationship management (CRM) systems, data analytics, and other technologies that can provide insights and streamline processes. Training in these tools will empower your account managers to analyze trends, anticipate client needs, and develop innovative solutions that can give your company an edge in the marketplace.

4 Encourage Learning

Encouraging continuous learning and development is key to nurturing the innovative traits your account managers need. This could involve workshops, seminars, or online courses focused on innovation in account management. By investing in their education, you not only enhance their skill set but also demonstrate a commitment to their professional growth, which can motivate them to embrace innovation as a core part of their role.

5 Set Goals

Setting clear, achievable goals related to innovation can provide your account managers with direction and motivation. These goals should challenge them to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to client challenges. By aligning these objectives with the overall business strategy, you ensure that their innovative efforts contribute meaningfully to the company's success.

6 Monitor Progress

Finally, monitoring progress and providing feedback is essential for ensuring that your account managers are developing the traits necessary for innovation. Regular check-ins can help you gauge how well they're applying new skills and ideas in their work. Constructive feedback will guide them towards more effective innovation practices and reinforce the importance of these traits in their professional development and the success of the business.