The 80/20 rule is a metric used within the business world which reveals that fully 80% of all business can be attributable to only 20% of the actual clients. Whether this is essentially correct or not, it is certainly true that some clients take on additional importance in the eyes of the pharmaceutical company, whether this is from the point of view of transactions, their market dominance or other more strategic elements such as the provision of a gateway to other segments and markets. In these cases, key account management strategies must be established by the company and must be adequately communicated and implemented within the sales and marketing team as a core priority.

A pharmaceutical company has many different stakeholders and must satisfy a number of different “clients.” The company is always involved in industry positioning, political lobbying, public relations and media, as well as the fundamental issues of sales, marketing and financial measurements. There is a lot to take on, from a daily and weekly perspective and company executives must ensure that they do not try and address too many complex issues while diluting their overall effectiveness. Key account management will not be effective if certain layers of communication are not maintained, leading to a less efficient sales and marketing operation and calling for a pharmaceutical consulting firm to be retained for best effect.

Once an account is designated as key to the success of the business, a determination should be made and a plan of action composed in concert with the pharmaceutical consultants. The business must look at the relationship from the client point of view and accurately gauge what they feel to be the substance of the relationship. There should be an interactive approach to communication here and the goal should be to create a “win-win” scenario at all times, regardless of complexity. While attention to the essentials is of course important, the key account would be more likely to continue the association if additional value is perceived.

If the client enters the comfort zone when dealing with a pharmaceutical company, it will be more inclined to not only continue the relationship, but also to enhance it or to expand it. When trust is established, the client will often not have to engage so many of its resources in trying to oversee and control the related activities and will foresee the relationship as an efficient one.

It has been said that account management is often one of “damage control.” Every now and again problems and issues will undoubtedly arise. The company should do its utmost to fully understand the workings of its client and try and pre-empt any objections or problems. The more educated the sales and marketing team and the better the training levels initiated, the more likely it is that any potential stumbling blocks will be easily resolved.

Key account management requires a constant review of the client’s interpretation of the relationship. Satisfaction is paramount and should the company and its executives go the extra distance, an enhanced relationship and additional revenue opportunities are very likely. Satisfaction is top priority, according to pharma consulting firms.

Alan Gillies is the Managing Director of L2L Consulting, specialising in enabling pharmaceutical companies to achieve new heights of productivity and performance, throughout all levels of management and revenue generating activities.