What is Account Planner?

Account Planner is a specialized tool designed to assist Account Managers in creating comprehensive and effective account development plans (ADPs). It focuses on enhancing key components like account objectives, stakeholder mapping, and risk management, offering structured feedback to ensure sales objectives align with SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). By optimizing account plans, it aims to improve account growth, minimize risks, and ensure successful execution strategies. For example, when an Account Manager wants to increase revenue from an existing client, Account Planner can guide the restructuring of their objectives, ensuring clear steps and measurable results, while providing solutions to potential challenges like customer buy-in.

Core Functions of Account Planner

  • Account Plan Review

    Example Example

    An Account Manager uploads their current account plan for a review. Account Planner analyzes the executive summary, stakeholder map, customer information, and SWOT analysis to identify areas of improvement.

    Example Scenario

    In a scenario where an Account Manager is handling a major client with complex needs, Account Planner might identify gaps in stakeholder engagement, suggesting additional senior-level contacts to de-risk the account.

  • Objective Restructuring

    Example Example

    A sales team is tasked with increasing upsell opportunities. Account Planner restructures the objectives to ensure they are SMART, like specifying a 10% revenue increase from upsells within 6 months through targeted workshops.

    Example Scenario

    For a company struggling with achieving their growth targets, Account Planner provides a step-by-step action plan with sub-objectives, ensuring focus on high ROI opportunities, which are essential in competitive markets.

  • Risk Management via Risk Register

    Example Example

    An Account Manager dealing with a high-risk account uses the Risk Register feature to assess risks. They learn that competitor activity and limited customer contacts pose significant threats, prompting them to diversify their stakeholder base.

    Example Scenario

    In industries where clients frequently switch vendors, Account Planner’s risk management tool helps Account Managers secure their position by highlighting vulnerabilities, like insufficient engagement with decision-makers or limited service offerings.

Target Users of Account Planner

  • Sales Account Managers

    Account Managers responsible for high-value client portfolios benefit from Account Planner as it enhances their ability to create strategic account plans. With tools for stakeholder mapping, objective setting, and risk management, it helps them build structured, actionable plans that drive account growth.

  • Sales Executives and Team Leaders

    Sales leaders looking to align team efforts with business goals use Account Planner to ensure that each team member’s account plan is detailed and aligned with corporate objectives. The ability to break down complex strategies into SMART objectives and sub-objectives ensures that sales initiatives are trackable and measurable.

Guidelines for Using Account Planner

  • 1

    Visit aichatonline.org for a free trial without login, no need for ChatGPT Plus.

  • 2

    Upload your account development plan (ADP) to receive insights on your objectives, stakeholder map, and risks.

  • 3

    Review feedback on the ADP, which will highlight strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and recommended changes.

  • 4

    Refine your objectives following the SMART methodology (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).

  • 5

    Apply suggestions and execute your plan based on a detailed action list with sub-objectives and stakeholder commitments.

  • Risk Management
  • Sales Strategy
  • Account Growth
  • Client Mapping
  • Revenue Expansion

Frequently Asked Questions about Account Planner

  • How does Account Planner help with account development?

    Account Planner analyzes Account Development Plans (ADPs) and provides detailed feedback on objectives, stakeholder management, and growth strategies. It helps sales teams refine their goals and align them with customer commitments.

  • What does Account Planner do with uploaded plans?

    It reviews your ADP, focusing on the executive summary, customer information, political/stakeholder maps, live opportunities, and SWOT analysis. It offers improvement suggestions for each aspect.

  • Can Account Planner help create SMART objectives?

    Yes, it breaks down your account objectives into SMART components. This includes clear sub-objectives, responsible parties, deadlines, and alignment with broader business goals.

  • What kind of plans does Account Planner support?

    It works with sales and account development plans of any size or complexity, assisting in areas like cross-selling, upselling, and risk management within key accounts.

  • How does Account Planner help in managing risks?

    It provides a 'Risk Register' that assesses account risk based on metrics such as stakeholder engagement, competitor activity, pricing, service issues, and customer status. This helps identify and reduce potential risks to the account.