Where can B2B companies be found?
B2B companies can be found in every industry, from manufacturing to retail. Wherever business is done, you can be sure a host of B2B suppliers and advisory firms are active as well. Every B2C company requires certain products, services and professional counsel, and so every B2C company generates B2B activity.
One example of a traditional B2B market can be found in automobile manufacturing. Everyone knows some of the biggest consumer-facing brands, but in every model of car or truck they produce are dozens of other companies' products. These include the tires, hoses, batteries and electronics that are essential for the final consumer product – the vehicle – to operate properly. The manufacturer purchases these products from its various suppliers and then finishes them into the final product. When you buy a car from one company, you're really purchasing parts that were created by dozens, if not hundreds, of other businesses from all around the world.
Examples of real-world B2B activity are plentiful and more visible than you might guess. For example, the cloud-based document storage company Dropbox services businesses as well as individuals. General Electric makes plenty of consumer goods, but also provides parts for other enterprises. Perhaps you've worked at a company where the paychecks were stamped by ADP, a company that provides payroll and financial services for businesses. Xerox is a household name but makes billions on providing paper and print services to businesses.
Like any other company, a B2B model requires some careful planning, said Brent Walker, vice president and chief marketing officer at healthcare marketing firm C2B Solutions.
"B2B typically relies on its sales function and account management team to establish and strengthen customer/client relationships," Walker said. "Marketing may include advertising in trade journals, having a presence at conventions and trade conferences, digital marketing (online presence, SEO, email outreach), and other traditional awareness efforts."
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