Let's speak about a taboo topic: bribes, gifts, and facilitation fees in the B2B space 💸.
Recently, I was told this story by a friend who is a salesperson selling supercomputers to private institutions. He told me that 80% of the time, he felt pressure to offer 'favors' to decision-makers 😬.
Now there are favors and "favors". We are not talking about inviting for lunch but more explicit requests like securing a house in Maldives or Hawaii to clinch a deal 🏖 .
The truth of B2B sales, no matter how digital the market is or how unique your product is, when it comes to very competitive niches, a certain degree of bribing will take place. 🤷🏻♀️ Some may call it "building relationships" or "networking requirements".
You need to have a contingency plan to equip your sales teams to face these situations ethically and still thrive in the competition.
The answer is not in grand gestures but in genuine acts of service. It's not about indulging in big bribes but about hosting insightful roadshows, lunch meetings, and experiences that provide true value 🤝 . This is even more important in regions like Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
If you plan to expand your brand's presence globally, empower your sales teams with the tools to tackle these ethical dilemmas 🛠 .
#NavigatingGrayAreas #BusinessEthics #GlobalSalesChallenges #NetworkingDilemmas