Six Questions for Understanding a Sales Decision Network

In B2B sales, you’re not selling to an individual, you’re selling to multiple people—a network.

In any significant purchase, many people are involved in the decision process.  A few are key decision makers. Others are influencers who may not make the decision, but can influence those who do. An influencer may be a potential user of the solution or a key advisor to the decision maker.

There are others who play the role of gatekeepers. Financial staff and procurement managers often play this gatekeeper role. They cannot say yes, but can say no. 

Salespeople must know who is playing which role, the relationship between the players, and what they think about you and your competition. An average salesperson has a general understanding of this information. A top sales performer has a comprehensive understanding.

In the end, it is probably wise to worry less about your sales process and focus more on the customer’s buying process.  If you are to have a comprehensive command of the buying process, you must know the answers to at least the following six questions:

1. Who are the decision makers, influencers, and gatekeepers?

2. What is the relationship between the key players?

3. What are their decision criteria for deciding between you and your competition?

4. What are their views of you versus your competition on the decision criteria?

5. Do you have or can you develop an internal champion who is a major player?

6. Has the project been budgeted and funded?