Account managers add a layer of communication between client and team. This hampers conversation when it should be facilitated.
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Our experience is that the right account manager can not only facilitate this conversation, but facilitate more clients to have these conversations with. reply
I wish I'd had the same experience... account managers I've met like to "translate" what the client says, most often misinterpreting it which then leads the team down the wrong path.
hellz yes! account managers are stoopid. mostly they are just there for their "fun bags" - never see them working over the weekends do you? reply
Let me be clear... I don't have anything against the people that are account managers. I do have a huge problem with the role they tend to play in most agencies, though. I feel a liaison between client and team only clouds the issues and doesn't clarify them. reply
Sometimes a liaison between client and team is necessary. "Team" people are often not stellar communicators. Ideally account managers have mad communication skillz and can effectively translate. Problem is some of them aren't up to snuff. reply