b2b b2c
b2b b2c
b2b b2c
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The "electronic components district" ofGuangzhou, where numerous shops sell electronic components to other companies that would use them to manufacture consumer goods.
Business-to-business (B2B) describes commerce transactions between businesses, such as between a manufacturer and a wholesaler, or between a wholesaler and a retailer. Contrasting terms are business-toconsumer (B2C) and business-to-government (B2G). B2B (Business to Business) Branding is a term used in marketing. The volume of B2B (Business-to-Business) transactions is much higher than the volume of B2C [1][2][3] transactions. The primary reason for this is that in a typical supply chain there will be many B2B transactions involving sub components or raw materials, and only one B2C transaction, specifically sale of the finished product to the end customer. For example, an automobile manufacturer makes several B2B transactions such as buying tires, glass for windscreens, and rubber hoses for its vehicles. The final transaction, a finished vehicle sold to the consumer, is a single (B2C) transaction. B2B is also used in the context of communication and collaboration. Many businesses are now using social media to connect with their consumers (B2C); however, they are now using similar tools within the business so employees can connect with one another. When communication is taking place amongst employees, this can be referred to as "B2B" communication.
Contents
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1 Etymology 2 Definition B2B vs. B2C 3 Differences between B2B and B2C
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Etymology [edit]
The term was originally coined to describe the electronic communications between businesses or enterprises in order to distinguish them from the communications between businesses and consumers ("business-to-consumer"). It eventually came to be used in marketing as well, initially describing only industrial or capital-goods marketing. As of 2012 it is widely [by whom?] used to describe all products and services used by enterprises. Manyprofessional institutions and trade publications focus much more on B2C than B2B, although most sales and marketing personnel operate in the [citation needed] B2B sector.
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Risks [edit]
Buying one can of soft drink involves little money, and thus little risk. If the decision for a particular brand was not right, there are very little implications. The worst that could happen is that the consumer does not like the taste and discards the drink immediately. Buying B2B products is much riskier. Usually, the investment sums are much higher. Purchasing the wrong product or service, the wrong quality or agreeing to unfavourable payment terms may put an entire business at risk. Additionally, the purchasing office / manager may have to justify a purchasing decision. If the decision proves to be harmful to the organization, disciplinary measures may be taken or the person may even face termination of employment. In international trade, delivery risks, exchange rate risks and political risks exist and may affect the business relationship between buyer and seller. Strong brands imply lower risk of using them. Some of them in detail:
Buying unfamiliar brands implies financial risks. Products may not meet the requirements and may need to be replaced at high cost. There exists a performance risk as there might be something wrong with an unfamiliar brand. When buying machinery or supplies for a company, peers may not approve the purchase of an unknown brand, thus posing a social risk.
For consumer brands the buyer is an individual. In B2B there are usually committees of people in an organization and each of the members may have different attitudes towards any brand. In addition, each party involved may have different reasons for buying or not buying a particular brand. Since there are more people involved in the decision making process and technical details may have to be discussed in length, the decision-making process for B2B products is usually much longer than in B2C. Companies seek long term relationships as any experiment with a different brand will have impacts on the entire business. Brand loyalty is therefore much higher than in consumer goods markets. While consumer goods usually cost little in comparison to B2B goods, the selling process involves high costs. Not only is it required to meet the buyer numerous times, but the buyer may ask for prototypes, samples and mock ups. Such detailed assessment serves the purpose of eliminating the risk of buying the wrong product or service.
B2B e-Marketplace