Sales is often subdivided into different segments. Enterprise sales refers to those salespeople who sell to large prospects and customers. It is a complex process that requires a different approach than selling to smaller customers . Enterprise sales typically involves long sales cycles, multiple decision makers, and a higher level of risk than traditional sales.

In enterprise sales, the sales process is usually longer the larger the deal is. The customer dictates self-service sales cycle lengths, and it can take months or even years to close a deal. Plus, enterprise sales usually involves selling to multiple decision makers, each with their own set of needs and requirements. This makes the sales process more complex and requires a more strategic approach.

Understanding Enterprise Sales

Definition of Enterprise Sales and Scope

Enterprise sales is a process of selling products or services to large businesses. The term “enterprise” refers to large organizations with complex needs and significant buying power. And because of the size of these companies and complexity of their needs, this type of sales usually involves a long sales cycle, high-value deals, and multiple decision-makers. 

The scope of enterprise sales can vary depending on the industry and the product or service being sold. For example, enterprise sales in the software industry may involve selling complex software solutions to large corporations, while enterprise sales in the manufacturing industry may involve selling high-value machinery to large factories.

Key Characteristics

Enterprise sales has several key characteristics that set it apart from other types of sales. These include:

• Long Sales Cycle: Enterprise sales typically involves a longer sales cycle than other types of sales. This is because the deals are usually larger and more complex, and require more time to negotiate and finalize.
• Multiple Decision-Makers: In enterprise sales, there are often multiple decision-makers involved in the buying process. These decision-makers may include executives, managers, and other stakeholders within the organization.
• High-Value Deals: Enterprise sales deals are usually high-value, with significant revenue potential for the seller. This also means that there is more at stake for the buyer, and they may be more cautious and demanding in their requirements.
• Customized Solutions: Enterprise sales often involves selling customized solutions to meet the unique needs of the buyer. This requires a deep understanding of the buyer’s business and their specific requirements.
• Relationship Building: Enterprise sales is all about building relationships with the buyer. This involves understanding their needs, providing value, and building trust over time.

Overall, enterprise sales is a complex and challenging process that requires a deep understanding of the buyer’s business and their unique needs. It also requires patience, persistence, and the ability to build strong relationships over time.

The Enterprise Sales Process

The enterprise sales process involves several stages that require a strategic approach and a deep understanding of the customer’s needs. Here are the four main stages of the enterprise sales process:

Lead Generation

The first step in the enterprise sales process is lead generation. This involves identifying potential customers who might be interested in your product or service. There are several ways to generate leads, including cold calling, email marketing, social media, and attending trade shows or conferences. The key to successful lead generation is to target the right audience and provide them with relevant information that addresses their specific pain points.

Check out the top sales orgs for Inbound Lead / Opportunity Flow

Qualification and Needs Assessment

Once you have generated leads, the next step is to qualify them. This involves assessing whether the lead is a good fit for your product or service. You can use a variety of criteria to qualify leads, such as company size, industry, budget, and decision-making power. After qualifying the lead, you need to conduct a needs assessment to understand the customer’s pain points and requirements. This will help you tailor your solution to their specific needs.

Solution Proposal

After assessing the customer’s needs, the next step is to create a solution proposal. This involves developing a customized solution that addresses the customer’s pain points and requirements. The solution proposal should include a detailed description of your product or service, its benefits, and how it will meet the customer’s needs. You should also provide a clear pricing structure that outlines the cost of your solution.

Negotiation and Closing

The final stage of the enterprise sales process is negotiation and closing. This involves negotiating the terms of the deal and closing the sale. You will need to work with the customer to finalize the details of the agreement, such as pricing, delivery, and payment terms. Once the agreement is finalized, you can close the sale and begin delivering your product or service.

Compare Enterprise Account Executive Salaries

Challenges in Enterprise Sales

Selling to enterprise-level customers can be a challenging task. Here are some of the most common challenges you may face when dealing with enterprise sales:

Long Sales Cycles

Enterprise sales cycles can be quite long and complex. These deals can take six months or longer to close, and some report sales cycles getting longer. This is because there are usually multiple decision-makers involved, and the sales process may involve several stages. You need to be patient and persistent, and keep in touch with your prospects throughout the sales cycle.

Complex Decision-Making

Enterprise sales involve dealing with multiple decision-makers, each with their own concerns and priorities. There are typically several stakeholders involved in an enterprise sale. You need to be able to identify and communicate with each of these stakeholders, and understand their needs and preferences. This requires a lot of research and preparation, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

High Competition

Enterprise sales can be highly competitive, with many vendors vying for the same customers. You need to be able to differentiate yourself from your competitors, and offer unique value propositions that resonate with your prospects. This requires a deep understanding of your market, your customers, and your competition. Sales professionals at companies with good product-market fit will have an easier time than those without.

Difficulty in Moving Upmarket

When companies have success with mid-market or SMB customers, they often assume that the same solution and sales approach will work in the enterprise segment. This will frequently turn out not to be the case.

When selling into a new segment, the company needs to re-establish product-market fit — just as you would when you first get started.  Not doing so creates a common pitfall that teams and sales reps will sometimes fall into when they take a role on a new enterprise team with a company that is getting great traction with smaller customers. 

It’s easy to see why the company and the reps are optimistic,  but they need to consider whether the company has invested in the support that’s required to be successful in enterprise sales. 

• Does the company have SOC-II compliance reports? You don’t want to invest six months in a sales cycle only to find out that your enterprise prospect will require this before they’ll sign a contract. 
• Do you have the legal resources to handle complex redlines? 
• If you’re new to the role, does your compensation plan account for a 6–18 month ramp up period that will allow you to build pipeline and close long sales cycles before you can reasonably expect to start hitting a significant quota?  

These and more are essential questions to answer if you’re considering joining an org or moving into a new role where you’ll be one of the first enterprise sellers.

Strategies for Success

Implementing the right enterprise sales strategies can help you succeed. Here are some effective strategies that can help you close more deals and build lasting relationships with your enterprise clients.

Building Relationships

Building strong relationships with your clients is essential for success in enterprise sales. This involves understanding their needs and priorities, as well as establishing trust and credibility. Make sure to listen carefully to your clients and respond to their concerns in a timely and professional manner. Regular check-ins and follow-ups can also help you stay top of mind and maintain a positive relationship.

Tailored Solutions

Enterprise clients have unique needs and requirements, so it’s important to offer tailored solutions that meet their specific needs. This may involve customizing your product or service to fit their requirements, or providing additional support and resources to help them achieve their goals. Make sure to communicate the value of your solution and how it can help your clients achieve their objectives.

Effective Communication

Effective communication is key to success in enterprise sales. This involves not only listening to your clients, but also clearly communicating the benefits of your solution and how it can help them achieve their goals. Make sure to use clear and concise language, and avoid technical jargon or buzzwords that may be confusing or off-putting. Regular communication and updates can also help you build trust and maintain a positive relationship with your clients.

Remember, success in enterprise sales requires a combination of effective strategies and a deep understanding of your clients’ needs and priorities. By building strong relationships, offering tailored solutions, and communicating effectively, you can increase your chances of closing more deals and achieving long-term success in this exciting field.

Trends and Future of Enterprise Sales

As technology continues to advance, enterprise sales strategies must evolve to keep up with the changing landscape. Here are some trends to keep an eye on:

Technological Advancements

New technologies are emerging all the time, and they are transforming the way enterprise sales are conducted. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to analyze customer data and provide insights into their behavior. This allows sales teams to personalize their approach and provide a better customer experience.

Changing Buyer Behavior

Buyer behavior is also changing, and enterprise sales teams must adapt to these changes. Today’s buyers are more informed than ever before, thanks to the wealth of information available online. They are also more skeptical and demand more transparency from sales teams.

To succeed in this new environment, enterprise sales teams must focus on building trust with their customers. This means being transparent about pricing, providing excellent customer service, and delivering on promises. It also means being flexible and adaptable, and willing to change your approach to meet the needs of your customers.