Description

The role of the customer relationship manager (abbreviated as CRM in a number of firms, and not to be confused with the community relations manager) typically a top job in larger corporations that manufacture commercial and consumer goods. The manager of customer relations acts as a link with the business and customers in order to ensure that the standards of product are met, and to address issues regarding production and manufacturing. They usually communicate with the company's engineering development, manufacturing, and engineering divisions to determine whether changes in the products are required to be implemented.

It is the responsibility of a CRM to oversee the company's customer relations department or customer service department, and to keep a communication system in place that allows the employees to communicate effectively with customers. The manager of customer relations typically creates an order to address the issues in order that the most urgent or frequently requested reports are quickly escalated and classified to the appropriate parties within the organization. The manufacturing or engineering departments may implement changes or provide solutions to these issues, and it's the responsibility of the CRM department to relay the information and return it to the customer in a prompt and friendly manner.

In order to be a customer relations manager, you must typically possess a minimum bachelor's degree in business or another related field. In general, managers of customer relations require a long period of experience working as customer relations representatives or supervisors prior to being selected for the higher-level position. A lot of companies prefer to hire by hiring from within when they hire the position of a manager for customer relations.

Roles & Responsibilities

As a Customer Relations Manager in India, here are four main responsibilities that someone with 0-3 years of experience may have:

  • Responding to customer inquiries and complaints via various communication channels like phone, email, and social media platforms.
  • Ensuring that all customer interactions are positive and each customer feels valued. Developing and nurturing relationships with potential clients by acting as their point of contact.
  • Continuously collecting feedback and analyzing it to identify patterns and areas of improvement. Making sure that these insights are communicated to relevant stakeholders and used to optimize processes.
  • Working closely with other teams like sales and marketing to ensure that customer feedback is taken into account while creating campaigns and strategies. Collaborating with other CRM teams across different regions to ensure consistent branding and communications across all channels.

Qualifications & Work Experience

Major educational qualifications required for Customer Relations Manager (CRM) are:

  • An undergraduate degree in administration or a related field
  • Minimum of three years' experience
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
  • Expertise with all Microsoft applications
  • Excellent product knowledge

Essential Skills For Customer Relations Manager (CRM)

1

Verbal Communication

2

Leadership Communication

3

Customer Relationship Management

4

Customer Experience Management

Career Prospects

If you're looking for alternate job roles that can be pursued with a similar skillset as a Customer Relations Manager (CRM), here are some options to consider if you have 0-3 years of work experience in India:

  • Sales Representative: A person responsible for selling a company's products or services to potential customers.
  • Account Manager: A person who manages and maintains relationships with existing clients, ensuring their ongoing satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Business Development Executive: A person who identifies and pursues new business opportunities, often by building relationships with potential partners or clients.
  • Customer Success Manager: A person responsible for ensuring that customers are achieving their desired outcomes and are satisfied with a company's products or services.

Each of these roles would require strong communication skills, the ability to build and maintain relationships with clients, and a customer-centric approach to problem-solving. With a little experience or additional training, any of these positions could be a great fit for someone looking to make a career change.

How to Learn

The Customer Relations Manager (CRM) role is expected to grow by 13% annually in the Indian market. Over the last 10 years, the demand for CRM professionals has grown by 31%, indicating a rising trend. According to LinkedIn, there are currently over 2,000 job openings for CRM roles in India, with a median salary of INR 12,00,000 per annum. As organizations prioritize and invest in customer experience, the demand for CRM professionals is only expected to increase in the future. With the advent of digital channels, there will be new opportunities for CRM professionals to leverage technology and data analytics to enhance customer experience.