The sales environment is often a very complex process. This means the product solution is often conceptual in nature dealing with an intangible item, carries a high price tag (in excess of $100,000), requires multiple sales calls on a variety of levels and individuals within the buying organization, and the decision to buy is made by a senior executive. The buying decision itself doesn't solve the core problem -- there is an implementation process for the solution that often requires 30 to 180 days or more to complete. A high level of product knowledge and technical competence is required for sales representatives to be successful -- they need to understand the nature of the customer's problem in order to help them identify potential solutions.
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