How the B2B sales process has changed

The B2B sales process has changed radically in recent years, shifting control from the seller to the buyer. According to the 2023 Gartner B2B Buying Report, seventy-five percent of B2B buyers say they prefer a rep-less sales experience, but self-service digital commerce purchases are far more likely to result in regret. Revenue and retention leaders must be able to identify the right mix of digital and human assistance in the modern B2B buying experience to close high-quality deals. With increased information at their fingertips, buyers can conduct their own research, identify the companies they want to contact, and engage with those sellers on their own terms. In fact:

  • According to IDC research, 68% of B2B buyers prefer to research independently on the Internet, using social media and review sites as their primary source of information.
  • Gartner has found that sales reps spend approximately 5% of a customer’s time during their B2B purchasing process.

Lack of one-on-one time with buyers, coupled with rapidly changing purchasing dynamics driven by digital buying behavior, is reshaping the strategic approach of sales organizations.

 

Buyers are now demanding self-service options that not all vendors offer. They are also frustrated by the marketing tactics that sellers love, such as cold calls and emails.

The Impact of Generative AI

Generative AI is accelerating this transformation, giving buyers even more tools to make informed decisions.

  • Chatbots and virtual assistants: They offer instant answers to frequently asked questions, guiding buyers through the first stages of the purchasing process.
  • Personalized content : AI makes it possible to algeria telemarketing generate content tailored to the needs and preferences of each buyer, improving the experience and increasing the relevance of the information.
  • Predictive Analytics: AI helps predict buyer behavior, allowing sellers to anticipate their needs and offer proactive solutions.

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The New Role of the B2B Seller

In this new scenario, the B2B seller must evolve from a simple “salesperson” to a trusted advisor and a facilitator of the purchasing process .

  • Empower the buyer: Provide relevant content, self-service tools, and answers to their questions during the research phase.
  • Build meaningful relationships: Use social selling to establish genuine connections and understand customer needs on a deeper level.
  • Leverage technology: Use visitor identification tools , CRM, and predictive analytics to identify and qualify leads, personalize how does ai affect seo and content marketing? communications, and optimize the sales process.
  • Demonstrate value: Deliver specialized knowledge, customized insights, and solutions that address specific customer challenges.

 

72% of salespeople feel overwhelmed by the number of skills required to excel in their roles, and more than 85% want leaders to better identify the skills required. Source: Gartner Seller Skills Survey 2024

So how can B2B sales reps make an impact on this ever-changing and complex buyer journey?

Implement an ABM (Account-Based Marketing) strategy

 

B2B Sales Strategies and Tactics

The idea that cold calling is dead may be a little premature, but it’s not as effective as it used to be. As buyers get savvier, B2B strategies can’t be left behind. For sales reps looking to find new, more subtle ways to connect with prospects, we offer the following tactics:

1- Enable the buyer

Provide salespeople with tools to help them in their daily management. It’s true that buyers are increasingly skeptical, but no one will resist receiving help and information during their research process. If you get salespeople to be present in this first moment of the purchasing journey, you will have many chances of opening an opportunity. How? An excellent example is by offering relevant and interesting content , which can be selected by the salesperson after interacting with the contact. 

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