SOURCE: http://gmj.gallup.com CONTACT: The Gallup Management Journal INFORMATION: Editorial and Executive Offices1251 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2350New York, NY 10020888-274-5447
The recession is perhaps hardest on business-to-business companies. Here’s how they can ride it out.
August 27, 2009
The recession is perhaps hardest on business-to-business companies; as the consumer economy wheezes, the B2B economy chokes. A few B2Bs -- the ones that really meet their customers’ needs -- will survive. But can they do that without rolling over on price?
Only 22% of business-to-business customers are engaged, and just 13% are fully engaged. The reason? A small percentage of B2B companies focus on engaging customers emotionally. The other companies believe they need only emphasize price, speed, and efficiency.
With net sales of $6 billion in 2007 and with enough might and fame to attract knowledge workers, Stryker is a prominent company worldwide. Yet even this highly successful global business faced major hurdles in hiring talented software developers and engineers in India.
Organizations continually feel pressure to improve efficiency and reduce costs while also meeting the demands of their increasingly time-starved customer base. Customers constantly seek speedier and more convenient access, wherever and whenever they might feel the need. Although technology should be able to directly address the demands of both company and customer, it isn't doing so effectively enough. Here's why.
