It wasn't too long ago that both B2C and B2B shoppers bought in a radically different way from how they buy now. If we wanted to research a product or service before buying, we went to the provider and asked questions. If we wanted to get an answer from the owner of a company, we went through a sales representative. In fact, if we wanted any information, we had to ask a sales representative. Who had the "power" in that situation? Not us! That's for sure. The sales rep was the gatekeeper and we had to get everything from them. That situation has shifted completely. Buyers have changed. Today, the buyer doesn't even consult a sales representative until they have nearly made up their mind. They have all of the information they need to make a buying decision when they finally speak to a sales rep. Where do they get this information? Surely they talk to friends and colleagues, but most often, they start by doing research online. Today's buyer looks to Google, social media and other online ...
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