While running a business following differentiation strategy, a manager should be efficient to use resources wisely in a cost efficient way because cost proximity could hamper customer perception. Importantly, he should be skillful in giving continuous training to all cross functional departments regarding product performance, conformance, feature, quality and value chain because when customer pay premium price, he perceive that the company will deliver a superb stuff. E.g. Rolex watches are hand made of precious metal like gold or platinum & stainless steel & are subjected to full-fledged test of quality & reliability. Suppose the manager is not competent to handle cross functional department like R&D, marketing, Production he would have noting except failure & kick off from the job.
The incumbent managing differentiation strategy should set, maintain and improve performance standard because the competitor can imitate the core competencies of the firm any time. The concern person should also be good decision maker in time management because it is very important to decide when and how the strategic alternative which could strengthen the differentiation strategy should be selected. He should be skillful to identify the opportunities for innovation and not only to identify but also have an ability to transform ideas into worlds & actions.
To conclude, the ability to see the bigger picture, concentration, parallel thinking, ability to see connection, listening the criticism, risk taking, innovation, understand uncertainty and importantly to be efficient are such skills which are required by the company or business unit to tackle the differentiation strategy in a distinguish way.