Continuous profitable growth is the ultimate achievement of strategic account management, and organizations should be willing to go to great lengths in its pursuit. What differentiates the organizations that are successful in their quest, especially with today’s rapidly advancing technologies and global economy? And for those that do attain continuous profitable growth, how can they sustain it? Achieving sustainable and profitable organic growth requires a corporate strategy that incorporates exceptional talent, strong execution, and a customer-centric organization. Companies with forward thinking corporate strategies institutionalize a set of capabilities and a culture of growth that defines the organization and are key enablers to achieving success.

SAMA is focused on long-term corporate strategies not short-term sales goals. Sales and Marketing professions are in a state of flux and transformation, and maintaining the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Changing economic conditions, customer buying behaviors, and advancing technologies are quickly rendering traditional sales and marketing attitudes and practices ineffectual and out of sync in a new age of connectedness, integration, transparency, and collaboration. An organization’s customer-centricity will determine its ability to meets its customers’ needs, and a corporate strategy with a clear understanding of customer needs and behaviors will help drive continuous profitable growth.

This year’s conference will focus on the key factors needed to execute a long-term corporate strategy - exceptional SAM talent, tools and technology, value chain ecosystems, and a customer-centric organization. We invite you to partner with SAMA as we continue to build and enhance individual and organizational capabilities in strategic account management.

Value-Chain Ecosystems

Forward thinking enterprises view their supplier relationships in a way that promotes sustainability and growth by creating a slightly different equation in measuring, cultivating, and rewarding their supplier community. Both sides of the relationship can assist the other side to better understand the value equation and more effectively position for sustainability and advancement.

Tools and Technology

A SAM has a toolbox full of resources that includes everything from social media to customer relationship management technologies to methodologies. Successful programs use technology and methodologies like the SAM process to drive structure and speed in their execution efforts, transition to continuous customer collaboration and improve communication.

SAM Talent

SAM talent may be what most differentiates great organizations from the rest of the pack. Skilled talent can help drive innovation and customer value, and create growth opportunities. SAMs, senior executives and support teams at all levels depend on the relationships they build internally and externally to collaborate, execute, and establish a best-in-class practice within your organization.

Strategic Customer-Centric Organization
and the Role of the Executive

With the support and buy-in of the C-suite, the SAM program office must define the role and scope of the program, as well as determine accountability and metrics for success. In order to for the enterprise to implement a customer-centric strategy for long-term growth, a collaborative alignment must exist between these entities and the stakeholders.