What are buying centers? - Answers A group of people within an organization who make
business purchasing decisions.
What are selling centers? - Answers Functional representation that supports a sales person to
create a team-selling approach.
Who is the economic buyer? - Answers The individual decision maker or group within the
customer organization who controls the budget and writes the checks for new product
purchases.
Who is the infrastructure buyer? - Answers Someone who makes sure that purchasing rules
defined in corporate governance procedures are followed.
Who is the user buyer? - Answers Someone who influences the buying decision as the person
who will actually use the solution after the purchase decision is made.
Who are initiators? - Answers Individuals who suggest purchasing a product or service for a
business.
Who are users? - Answers Individuals within an organization who actually use the product.
Who are influencers? - Answers Individuals who have experience or expertise that can help
improve the buying decision.
Who are gatekeepers? - Answers Individuals who will decide if and when one gets access to
members of the buying center.
Who are decision makers? - Answers The person who makes the final purchasing decision.
Who are buyers? - Answers The people who sign the contract. Focused on the financial aspects
of the purchase and how the purchase can positively impact organizational metrics.
Who are procurement officers? - Answers Persons who are responsible for the management,
administration, and supervision of the company's acquisition programs.
What is the organizational buying process? - Answers Process through which industrial buyers
make a purchase decision.
What happens during the stage of recognizing the need? - Answers Someone recognizes that
the organization has a need that can be solved by purchasing a good or service. Users often
drive this stage, although others can serve the role of initiator.
What happens during the stage of defining the need? - Answers Usually involves users as well
as initiators to put more definition around the type of product or service that will help meet the
need.