Agency Account Handling: Avoiding Blood, Sweat and Tears

Book Description
Agency Account Handling strives to distinguish between good account handling and great account handling.
This book will help you understand the wider picture of client servicing, give you satisfied customers and allow you to go home at night with a smile on your face. In reality it may not avoid all the 'blood, sweat and tears' but it will certainly reduce them to a manageable level.
Good account handlers know instinctively most of the principles associated with effective client servicing. What results in great account handling is the difference an individual makes, all those little agency touches that add up to a competitive advantage and, essentially, the decision by an individual to concentrate on the right mix of priorities which will produce the most effective results.
It should inspire people to strive for satisfied clients, fulfilled professional lives and strong client service departments.
"This book is a beacon for account handlers, giving insight, confidence and experience, whether you read it cover to cover or dip into relevant sections.
It shines a light on the path to success for burgeoning careers and wily old dogs alike."
–Steve Aldridge, Creative Partner, Partners Andrews Aldridge
"Indispensable! A soup-to-nuts analysis of all aspects of account management. A must for any ambitious account handler, from any discipline, who wants to further their career."
–Suki Thompson, Managing Director, The Haystack Group
"There is much to recommend Mike's book. First, it fills a gap in the market. I haven't come across anything on great account handling practice, previously. Second, it has terrific depth and breadth. But what makes Mike's book really special is that it is a book to learn from. Having worked with Mike a lot over the last five years I know that he knows his stuff. What I hadn't realised is that he has a rare gift for imparting his stuff in the infectious way that is a pleasure to learn from."
–Malcolm White, Executive Planning Director, Euro RSCG London



Download Description
This book provides marketing, advertising, and branding professionals with the ultimate guide on how to handle a new account and how to successfully keep existing accounts. It is a practical handbook that lays out guidelines, tips, and techniques for professionals looking to keep their clients happy.



From the Inside Flap
Agency Account Handling is a handbook for all account handlers. It is equally for the new recruit starting out on an agency career and for those account handlers who have been itching for some time to run an account. It is also designed for those heads of department who want to create environments where people can excel and client business can grow.



About the Author
Mike Sims is Client Services Partner at Partners Andrews Aldridge, London UK. He is responsible for agency resourcing and overall agency delivery to clients. He has worked in both big and small agencies and has been involved in all areas of account handling, heading large and small client services departments. Since his arrival at Partners they have become the first agency to secure Campaign Direct Agency of the Year, the DMA Grand Prix and Precision Marketing Agency of the Year at the same time.
His sector experience covers automotive, telecoms, IT and financial services. He has worked on traditional and digital campaigns, consumer and b2b brands, and has led pan-European accounts.
Prior to working in agencies he was a teacher and worked in training and development in the marketing industry.