The four Influencers in a B2B sale
There are four groups of people you have to pay attention to in any B2B sales situation. Each of these groups - it may be only one person in any of the groups, depending on the size of the organization - has an influence on whether you will close the sale or not.
To disregard any one of these influences will probably mean you will not make the sale. This is the real difference between consumer sales and B2B sales. An enterprise sale becomes more complex, because each of these influencing authorities has two agendas they need fulfilled.
Each of these people or groups is influenced by how your product or service will affect them in their job. They are also looking at how your product or service affects their company. They need to know they are making the right decision for themselves and their company. They do not obviously want to hurt their career, and if you can help them advance their career, then you will be miles ahead of any competition.
Because you have to convince so many people in a B2B sale, this is the reason the selling cycle takes so long.
These four influences are.
1. The Financial Influence(s)
2. The User Influences
3. The Gatekeeper(s)
4. Your Champion or Sponsor
Each of them is important, and each of them plays a very important role in whether their company will buy from you.
My next four articles will look at each of these influences in depth, and what you need to know about each of them in order to influence their decision about your proposal and your company.
Related Tags: marketing, coaching, selling, sales training, sales, sales process, selling process, sales coaching
Ian Dainty has been involved in selling and marketing for over 30 years. Ian started his business career with IBM. He has owned, grown and successfully sold two technology related businesses. Ian has trained thousands of sales, marketing and management people on strategies for opening new account, selling to small and medium sized businesses, as well as managing large Fortune 500 companies. Ian has written a book entitled "A Blueprint for Success in Hi-Tech Sales". Visit Ian's web site at http://www.hitechsalescoach.com and join his newsletter to obtain a free copy. Or you can purchase the book on its own. You can also contact Ian at ian@hitechsalescoach.com Good Selling.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Tips To Better Prepare Yourself For The House Buying Process
Everybody who has been through the process of buying a home will attest that it can turn into a very - Gain Qualified Prospects With The Cash Cow Sales Funnel
I've had the privilege to work with hundreds of sales and business people all working hard to make m - How To Write A Good Telemarketing Sales Script
By defining your specific selling process you will be able to apply a system that works over and ove - The Popularity Of Antique Cabinets Over The Years
Ever since collectors have been hoarding pieces of value and interest, antique cabinets have been ar - Guide In Selecting Clothes Hangers
One of the least respected areas in your home is your wardrobe. Most of the time it is stuffed with - Does Mattress Manufacturer In China Reliable?
The time we spend on bed is almost 1/3 of our whole life! So it's very important for everybody to se - What Makes A Good Salesperson
This fact is not hidden nor is this thesis cutting edge. There are a lot of personality and professi - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance: Tips & Tools To Increase Productivity
Prior proper planning prevents poor performance. It may be a tongue twister, but it's important to r - Attractive Votive Candles
Impeccable range of candles and lanterns enhance home interiors. Simple yet elegant in design and fi - Sales Articles - Do You Want To Find Building Maintenance Supplies In Your Area?
Building maintenance supplies are among key factors to protect buildings against excessive depreciat
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Cold Calling - A Surprising Way To Gain Insider Information
If you knocked on all the doors in your neighborhood, you'd learn a lot about the people who live ar - How To Touch More Clients For Referrals
Interested in more referrals? Want to guarantee success in any referral marketing program? Here is a - How to Embrace and Thrive in Today's Buyer's Market
As fun as the last few years were to be in a piping hot real estate market, it's now time to accept - The Power of One
One is a very tiny number. However, it can have a tremendous impact on your revenues. Here are some - Sell Your Customer What They Need
When it comes to selling your products it is important to ask your potential customers probing quest - Profiting With Private Label Rights
There are three basic rights you should know about when it comes to resale rights marketing. T - The Lazy Way to Increase Your Sales Immediately... without spending a penny!
Let’s start at the beginning… First up, how do you define an affiliate program, or affi - Your Sales Self-Image
All sales success is the result of a foundation grounded in right attitudes and positive self-esteem - Sales And Marketing - Let Others Do The Work
There are many different ways in which businesses of today approach potential prospects and customer - The Financial Influencer
In my last article, I talked about the four influencers you have to deal with in a B2B sale. The fou
