Sales activities cover the entire process of determining customer needs and completing transactions using effective sales techniques. Most sectors require sales as a fundamental business activity. Depending on the intended audience, sales are typically separated into B2B sales for businesses and B2C sales for consumers. Before beginning your sales career, it’s crucial to understand the industry you’ll chose because each sector has a unique approach to sales. In light of the distinctions between B2B and B2C sales, let’s examine the fundamental skills needed of seasoned sales people.

What is B2B sales?

B2B sales stands for Business to Business and refers to a sales method for transactions between businesses. B2B sales are sales activities that sell advanced technology-based products/services or raw materials to companies, targeting customers to continuously supply the products/services. This includes sales activities to provide products and services that are the basis for customer companies to produce finished products and services, such as the regular supply of auto parts and the provision of software services for companies.

B2B sales are based on mid- to long-term orders as a large industrial unit sales market is formed. The process of sales activities is also quite long, so it is essential to consider sales periods and cycles for effective B2B sales activities. In addition, since there are various external environmental variables such as macroeconomic variables and industry trends in the B2B sales environment, if you have the ability to actively respond to the needs of customer companies by understanding the market and understanding the competitive environment, you can successfully lead B2B sales. 

In B2B business you can find sellers and buyers to sell your products in bulk quantities. You can get every product of your choice there are many buyers like sugar buyers, coffee buyers, Sulphur Buyers and buyers for every product on B2B platforms.

What is B2C sales?

B2C sales is a general term for business to customer sales, and it is a method in which sales are made to consumers who directly use products or services. B2C sales target a relatively wide consumer base and market, requiring segmented customer access and direct communication. B2C sales include the process of inducing customers to directly purchase the brand and products, such as consumption, distribution channel management, and promotion planning. 

Core competencies required for B2B and B2C sales

In order to successfully lead sales activities, you need to understand sales and establish a sales strategy that fits the characteristics of the target business. The basic core competencies required for sales activities are the same, but there are differences in sales processes and approaches depending on the difference between B2B and B2C industries. Let’s take a look at the core competencies and different approaches that are common to B2B and B2C sales.

Ability to communicate smoothly with customers

The fundamental aim of all sales is to determine customer needs and make relevant suggestions, even though the purpose of sales activities varies between individual and corporate consumers. It’s crucial to have strong communication skills in order to determine consumer wants and market related goods and services. You can locate new sales possibilities and keep existing customers by having effective communication abilities. Proposals that are personalized to the customer’s sales cycle and ongoing communication are required in order to successfully retain customers even after the deal is closed.

Sales planning and strategy

You must be able to establish specific industry-specific plans and comprehend the overall B2B and B2C sales strategies in order to make effective sales. The ability to identify potential customers, plan sales strategies, build trust with customers, and lead the overall sales process is a basic core competency required for sales jobs.