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Meaning & use

KAM

abbreviation·Advancedbusiness

Last updated

UK/ˌkeɪ eɪ ˈem/
US/ˌkeɪ eɪ ˈem/

Meanings

  1. abbreviationcountablebusiness

    Key account manager: a salesperson responsible for looking after a company's most important customers.

    Grammar: Has a plural: KAMs. Used for the person, often before a name: our KAM at the supplier.

    Patterns

    • the KAM for something
    • a KAM at a company

    Our KAM at the supplier called to discuss next year's prices.

    She was promoted to KAM and now handles three major retailers.

    Each KAM has a small number of large clients.

  2. abbreviationuncountablebusiness

    Key account management: the practice of building long-term relationships with a firm's most valuable customers.

    Grammar: Uncountable and used for the activity: KAM requires patience.

    Patterns

    • KAM strategy
    • work in KAM

    KAM focuses on long-term partnerships rather than one-off sales.

    The company improved its KAM strategy after losing a major client.

    He has ten years of experience in KAM.

Word forms

pluralKAMs

Common combinations

KAM strategy
A strong KAM strategy keeps top clients loyal.
the KAM team
The KAM team meets every Monday.
global KAM
She works as a global KAM for a drinks company.
your KAM
Contact your KAM if you have a billing issue.

Synonyms and how they differ

account manager
Account manager is wider and may handle any customer, while a KAM looks after only the key ones.
client manager
Client manager is used in services and finance and may be less sales-focused than KAM.
sales rep
A sales rep sells to many customers, while a KAM deepens a few relationships.
account executive
Account executive is often a more junior or general title than KAM.

Word family

key account noun
a very important customer
account manager noun
a person who manages client relationships
key adjective
very important

Commonly confused: KAM or CAM?

KAM vs CAM

CAM often means computer-aided manufacturing or complementary medicine, so do not confuse it with KAM.

Practice

In sales, a KAM is mainly responsible for ____.

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