At ABS we believe that strategic IT management begins with a proactive mindset and a people-first approach. Our Technical Account Managers (TAMs) are on the frontlines of leading our customers and our team in strategic, proactively managed IT.
Our TAM department is made up of individuals who each have a unique skill set. They have the communication skills to understand and empathize with the customer. They also have the technical ability to guide the customer down a technology improvement plan and coordinate internal resources within ABS to implement the plan of action.
To give you a closer look into our TAM program, we are beginning a spotlight series on our TAMs. We are kicking off the series by spotlighting Steven Camp, TAM for our non-for-profit accounts.
Steven has been a member of the ABS team since 2011. As a TAM, Steven embodies what it means to develop long-term relationships with our customers by equally prioritizing understanding their business goals as well as nurturing a genuine interest in their business beyond what’s written on their website.
Get to know Steven Camp, Technical Account Manager
Steven handles our not-for-profit accounts and has helped customers obtain funding by understanding not-for-profit programs that can help with IT capital expenses. He’s gone out of his way to do the paperwork for these customers to secure grants. More importantly, he’s volunteered his time at such things as the St. Joseph’s Picnic not because they are his customer, but because he cares about their cause.
Every time I hear from a customer about Steven, the sentence starts with “he cares.” He is the embodiment of the ABS Way: Empathize.
To give you more insight into Steven and his role, we asked him a few questions.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of working at ABS and being a TAM?
We get to help clients with unique solutions that help drive their businesses more efficiently. Having all of these different clients, it’s amazing to see that even though they all run a little bit differently, we are still able to come alongside them to implement solutions that reflect their company values. While most of our clients are based in Louisville, we also work with organizations across the U.S. and it’s really cool to be able to experience how they operate. Providing unique solutions that help drive their businesses more efficiently is incredibly fulfilling.
How do you take a proactive approach to IT management with your customers?
A big part of my role is understanding my customers’ goals and obstacles, like outdated hardware and software. Therefore, I prioritize routine meetings to discuss business goals and IT strategy with my customers. Since my clients have varying budgets and needs, it’s important for me to focus on the relationship side of our partnership by providing valuable information through the lens of my IT knowledge. Before going into meetings, I take into account any recurring IT ticket issues that keep coming up to proactively manage their IT by addressing them.
When and why did you become interested in IT?
I’ve been playing video games my whole life. One game that sticks out is Age of Empires which combines history with strategy. Those two things also happen to be my favorite parts of my current job. I listen to and learn about my clients’ IT history and try to understand their IT pain points to come up with a strategic IT roadmap.
Video games lead to an interest in building computers because it was cheaper than buying one and I could build the exact system that I wanted. I’m most proud of the first computer I built because it’s still running 10 years later.
Just like building computers was a series of problems to be solved, that’s also one of the things I enjoy most about my job. I get to take my clients’ problems and create the best solution.
When you’re not working, what can you be found doing?
My wife and I have a 7-month-old baby, so I don’t have a lot of free time, but when I do, I still enjoy playing video games. I’m currently playing Apex Legends. I also enjoy playing basketball and I’m pretty excited about the half-court we’ll be getting in our new office.
What is a fictional technology that you wish existed?
I wish we could teleport around the world. If we could, I would frequently visit Papa John’s pizza. I would most look forward to getting from home to work and back in a second. If I got a crazy itch, I would maybe swing by Ireland to enjoy the cliffs and ocean view and I’d like to go to Asia sometime too.
The TAMs’ role at ABS is irreplaceable and we want to highlight the strategy they produce through their experience and day-to-day responsibilities. While they wear many hats, their main responsibility is customer satisfaction.
Every managed IT services customer of ABS has a TAM as their main point of contact. The TAM works with the customer to understand their business goals, establish a strategic direction for technology, and lead them through the journey of creating an IT roadmap that supports their goals. TAMs also serve as the customer’s liaison within ABS and work with every other department to ensure that the customer’s needs are met.
TAMs become experts in their customers’ programs and overall business to be able to provide solutions quickly and efficiently.
We do this by segmenting the Technical Account Managers by vertical. We have TAMs who specialize in Government, Not-for-Profit, Legal, Financial, Retail, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction, and Hospitality. By understanding the technology in an individual market, TAMs can bring new ideas to their individual customers.
Steven’s commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in his dedication to and strategy for the not-for-profit organizations he serves.
We’ll continue to highlight other members of our TAM team to give you insight into each of their specializations. Stay tuned for more TAM spotlights!
If you are interested in learning about how your organization’s IT could benefit from having a TAM, a trusted ABS representative is ready to start a conversation!
