Business-to-Business (B2B)

B2B, short for Business-to-Business, is a transaction between businesses in which companies sell products, services, or information to other companies rather than to individual customers.1

This setup is all about one business helping another business operate or provide services to its own customers.2

Visual Representation:

b2b visual representation

Purpose:

The main goal of B2B transactions is to support other businesses by enhancing their efficiency, profits, and competitive edge.

This model allows businesses to focus on their areas of expertise, providing specialized value to other companies.

B2B interactions ensure that companies can access materials, services, and information needed for their products and services, facilitating smooth operations and contributing to the overall market supply.2

Usage:

The B2B model is used in many industries, such as manufacturing, software, wholesale, and services.

It applies to companies that supply other businesses with the materials, products, technological solutions, or expertise they need to operate, grow, and succeed.3

Example:

Imagine a software company creating a project management tool just for construction companies.

This tool helps them run their projects better by improving planning, scheduling, communication, and reporting.

The software company then sells this tool directly to construction businesses, ensuring it fits the construction industry’s specific needs.

Related Terms

References:

1. Wikimedia Foundation. (2023b, December 6). Business-to-business. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business-to-business

2. Chen, J. (2023, December 23). Business-to-business (B2B): What it is and how it’s used. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/btob.asp

2. Kumar, V., & Raheja, G. (2012). Business to business (b2b) and business to consumer (b2c) management. International Journal of Computers & Technology3(3), 447-451. https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=ac36aa8328563f01ea924b45966691c46602062c

4. Handbook of Business-to-Business Marketing. (2022). United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Handbook_of_Business_to_Business_Marketi/pLp8EAAAQBAJ

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