WHY CERTIFY?

• The best SAMs are 3X as likely as average ones to record outstanding growth, profitability and customer satisfaction. CSAMs, meanwhile, boost their skills in the behaviors most closely linked to customer business success by an average of 20%. 
• Get coaching from SAMA and CSAM faculty throughout the program, including one-on-one work around your actual customer.
• Gain access to leading tools and software designed expressly for the work of strategic and key account management.

• Cultivate a coaching mentality between the SAM/KAM/GAM and his or her manager, establish SAM/KAM/GAM as a desirable career path within your organization and demonstrate commitment to key customer-facing employees by investing in them.
• Demonstrate mastery of what you’ve learned by developing and presenting an executive-level briefing, either for SAMA senior leaders or your internal stakeholders.

CERTIFICATION STEPS

Step 1 – Pre-certification 360º competency assessment to set competency baseline and establish certification goals

Step 2 – Successful completion of CORE curriculum (7 training units through SAMA Academy events) + coaching guidelines for manager

Step 3 – Mid-term review and personalized coaching session

Step 4 – Successful completion of elective requirements (2 training units through SAMA Academy events)

Step 5 – Post-coursework 360º competency assessment executive-level briefing and presentation demonstrating successful application of learned behaviors

SAMA estimates it taking 12-18 months for a candidate to complete the CSAM program

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Must be employed as a strategic account manager, national account manager, global account manager, key account manager or equivalent role
• Must be actively managing at least one strategic account
• Must have the sponsorship of a direct manager or leader within your organization

GET CERTIFIED

SAMA certification isn’t about just completing a set of courses or passing a test. Certification is only bestowed after a candidate delivers an executive-level briefing demonstrating successful application of training with real accounts.