COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SAM playbook: Foundational skills for driving superior customer results - CORE 0

Training Units: 2

Training type available:
     • In-Person (2 days)
     • Online (4 consecutive half-days)

Fees:
     Corporate Member = $1,990
     Individual Member = $2,090
     Non-Member = $2,390

Availability/Register:
    January 30-February 2, 2023 (online)
    March 21-24, 2023 (APAC online)*
    May 1-4, 2023 (online)
    July 18-19, 2023 – Chicago (in person)
    July 31-August 3, 2023 (online)
    October 24-25, 2023 – Europe (in person)
    December 4-7, 2023 (online)
    
    
*SAMA Academy Online Asia-Pacific workshops will take place from 08:30-12:00 China Standard Time (UTC+8) on their scheduled day.

Recommended Audience: SAM/KAM/GAM, SAM Program Leaders, SAM Managers, Cross-functional team members

Level of proficiency: Foundational

Certification eligibility: Yes, recommended start for all CSAM candidates

Presented by: Valkre & Whetstone Inc.

This two-day course teaches participants the full scope of the role and responsibilities of a strategic account manager as well as a repeatable framework for co-creating value with a customer. Participants will work with real-life case studies to better understand the progression of a typical customer engagement and the requisite skills and competencies: Customer co-discovery, fit and planning; value co-creation, monetization and negotiation; and value-tracking and delivery. This course uniquely combines technology and SAMA's knowledge architecture to accelerate learning and application of KAM/ SAM best practices.

 

TOPICS COVERED:

  • Module 1: SAM competencies, skills and tools.  During this module, attendees will absorb the value co-creation journey and the specific competencies required to carry it out. Instructors will present a case study that illustrates a well-executed customer journey as well as introducing SAM-enabling tools participants will leverage during the course. The focus is on the “how,” not the “what.”
    Breakout: Participants will reflect on the specific competencies needed to successfully execute an end-to-end customer journey, how they relate to Module 1’s case study and their individual skill-development goals for the following two days. They will use this as a focal point for improvement throughout their entire SAMA training journey.
  • Module 2: Co-Discovery, fit and planning.  The focus of this module is to get participants to think more strategically about their own customers. Each participant should walk away with a clear plan for having more strategic customer conversations that lead to concrete value-creation ideas. Key topics: Breakout: Participants will focus on their value story, the critical output that enables the strategic account manager to transition from having tactical conversations to have strategic ones that resonate with the customer’s C-level.
    • About the Customer: Thinking strategically about the customer’s business situation
    • Value Story: Develop  the foundation for a customer conversation drawing on what that customer values today and uncovering target areas for value-creation efforts
    • Feedback: How to gain valuable customer feedback on their value-creation ideas
  • Module 3: Co-creation, value monetization and negotiation.  The focal point of this module is to use customer value-creation ideas to build business cases designed to garner internal and customer buy-in. Key topics: Breakout: Will focus on the quantifying business results for the customer.
    • Review the top value-creation ideas, monetize them and prioritize which to focus on
    • Develop planned outcomes for both the customer and supplier
    • Build execution plans and review with customer and supplier to ensure alignment
  • Module 4: Value tracking and delivery.  The final module focuses on creating an “execution rhythm, internally and at the customer, to complete and track outcomes. Key topics: Breakout: Work in this module will focus heavily on building a quantitative outcome tracker that can be used internally and with customers.
    • Develop an approach to tracking quantified customer outcomes
    • Establish value creation project scorecards that are used in the operating rhythm of the internal and customer organization
    • Establish internal and customer accountability for execution

 
 

Valkre provides a Key Account Management Platform that improves internal and external engagement across the entire customer life cycle.

  • Enable KAM Work and Customer-Facing Experience
  • Boost KAM Results with Marketing Intel and Economic Rigor
  • Connect KAM Workflow with Internal Systems
  • Ensure KAM Program Adoption and Advancement

Check out https://valkre.com for more information.

  

Our Philosophy

Premium customer relationships and experiences are at the forefront of our business philosophy. This means ensuring that everything we do provides value to you, so that you, in turn, can create greater value for your customers.

We operate from a “give” rather than a “get” perspective. With this outlook, we gain the ability to perceive the world through your eyes, in addition to our own. And with both perspectives we tackle your obstacles with greater foresight and accuracy.

Our Values
These values embody the spirit of Whetstone. They articulate a code of behavior and a set of beliefs about how we work, and what you can expect when dealing with us.

  • Seek knowledge: The world is constantly changing and there is always a better way. We stay fresh.>
  • Honesty: Our work is 100% guaranteed.
  • Aspire to make a difference: We want to work with people who want to make an impact.
  • Reliability and responsiveness: We don’t let people down. Period.
  • People first: We are in business to help people. We care about our customers and our employees and maintain integrity in all of our interactions.

https://whetstoneinc.ca

Faculty: Valkre & Whetstone Inc.