What is a Customer Success Manager?
A customer success manager is not a customer support agent. Rather, the manager forms a more direct and personal relationship with a customer. They assist the customer in the sales process as well as provide them with suitable value proposals. This allows the customer to grow with the company and increase positivity in the business In a way, the customer success manager is like a teacher for the customer. They explain the entire sales process while also making sure that the process is running smoothly, even after the transaction. The priority task that a customer success manager has is to build rapport with the customers. This task can also be involved with the customer success team. The CSM also ensures that the customer has all of the resources they need at their disposal. This can include:- Advisement on purchases
- Onboarding
- and More!
Responsibilities of the Customer Service Manager
You Are a Cheerleader
While you don’t need pompoms to get the point across, a CSM does need to be the cheerleader of the company. The manager works a lot with customers, especially one on one. This allows the CSM to promote the business by explaining that they have all the wants and needs that the customer requires. Having that cheery and well-meaning fame of the company will assure the customer that you mean business.All Aboard!
Another task for the customer service manager is that they need to onboard customers. If you don’t know, onboarding is the process of getting a customer to understand the business’s product or service. The manager explains to the customer the ins and outs of whatever they are selling.Reuse, Reduce, Renewal
The customer service manager wants to ensure that the customer returns. A one-time customer is nice, but having them come back because they enjoy the business is great! A CSM needs to make sure that customers are coming back to the business. In order to do this, a manager can do a follow-up with the customer. Or, the manager can see if the customer wants to renew their contracts. This allows for customer retention which every business wants.You are the Middleman
As the CSM, you want to ensure that the customer has all of their needs fulfilled. But, you also need to make sure that your support team knows what is going on. Like anything, there will be problems. When it comes to the product or service you have, the CSM needs to be that middleman between the support team and the customer to solve problems and strengthen the relationships.See also Your Customer is Your Hero: A Filmmaker’s Approach to the Most Valuable Asset to a Business
Skills of the Customer Success Manager
There are many skills that the customer success manager needs to succeed. In order to drive a support team and help customers at the same time, a good CSM needs:- Active Listening
- Empathy
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Teaching
- Time Management
- Data Integration
- Social Skills
- and More!