89% of problems identified without seller input
In beginning the buying journey, almost 9 out of 10 B2B customers identify the problem they want to solve without supplier input. The problem: these buying groups start their journey not pointed toward potential suppliers.
6-11 stakeholders involved in the average buying group
The number of stakeholders involved in B2B buying decisions depends on the situation, but two things are clear: 1) these groups are getting larger and 2) they are becoming more diverse.
Buying group conflict peaks at 37%
Before they are even halfway through their purchase journey, buying groups struggle to reach consensus around the solution to the problem they identified.
38% of buying groups end their purchase attempt with no decision
The problem was identified without supplier input, reaching consensus with a large and diverse buying group proved too difficult and ultimately there was too little certainty for the group to take any particular action.
When customers do engage, they already have an abundance of information and are working to build consensus with a buying group.
Customers are identifying needs independently, forming large stakeholder groups, and delaying their engagement with suppliers. The result for sellers is less customer access, limited opportunities to create and shape demand, and longer (and more expensive) sales cycles that end up going nowhere.
Rather than wait and react, sellers must engage early in the customer’s decision making journey and influence emerging demand. But doing so requires finding the right customer stakeholder to engage.
31%
Sellers who engage customer Mobilizers are 31% more likely to be high performers vs. their peers.
Sales & Marketing and Customer Service
Our work is supported by ongoing research and backed by our best-selling books The Challenger Sale, The Challenger Customer and The Effortless Experience.
