Abstract
Key account management is becoming the dominant approach for managing long-term relationships with customers. It represents a set of processes and practices for managing interdependence between companies and customers in order to create added value for both sides. Such an approach to managing relationships with customers is of strategic importance for enterprises in the business market, as it allows the creation and development of synergic partnerships with valuable customers. A high level of interdependence, orientation to creating and delivering a set of benefits that exceed the basic product / service orientation to increased learning in relationships and reduction of uncertainty are the major characteristics of KAM. By managing their interdependence and using common skills and power, the partners focus on increasing their own competitiveness and value of supply. Leveraging resources is achieved through sharing of information, openness to new ideas, participation in decision making and problem solving at all organizational levels. Such relationships become the source of satisfaction of customers and their retention in the long term.