top of page
Writer's pictureThomas List

The Power of B2B Sales Stage Entry Criteria

Updated: Oct 24, 2023

A structured B2B sales funnel is a dynamic roadmap for sales success, meticulously guiding opportunities through the complex buying journey. By dividing it into stages with clear criteria and targeted actions, you're not merely navigating sales but orchestrating it. This approach empowers your business to implement tailored strategies at each stage, increasing your deal-closing potential and forecasting bookings accurately. Benefits include distinguishing potential prospects, focused resource allocation, a profound understanding of the buyer's journey, enhanced conversion rates, progress tracking, and precise projections. Illustrated through a four-stage funnel example, it's your key to amplifying sales success and banishing uncertainty.



B2B sales chart
B2B sales chart

Unlocking B2B Sales Success


A sales funnel is more than just a framework; it's your roadmap to success. Picture it as your dynamic tool for visualising and meticulously tracking the journey of sales opportunities as they progress through the intricate buying process. The funnel is thoughtfully divided into stages, each marked by well-defined entry criteria and stage-specific activities.

But why does this matter? By tactically structuring your sales funnel into stages, you're not just navigating the sales process but orchestrating it. This approach empowers your business to employ strategies and tactics at each step. Not only does this increase your chances of closing more deals, it also bestows you the power of predictability in your bookings for the upcoming quarters.


What are the benefits of a structured B2B sales approach?

  1. Forecasting Near-term Potential: It's all about distinguishing between mere leads and prospects, with a buying decision looming within 2-4 quarters.

  2. Laser-Focused Resources: Concentrate your sales resources where they matter most—on real, live-buying projects that align perfectly with your prospects.

  3. Elevated Understanding of the Buyer's Journey: Gain profound insights into your prospect's buying process. With this knowledge, you can craft impeccable marketing and sales efforts that meet their needs.

  4. Supercharging Conversion Rates: With tailored strategies and tactics at every funnel stage, you're stacking the odds in your favour, increasing your prospects' transformation into loyal customers.

  5. Effortlessly Track Progress: Keep a watchful eye on your prospects' journey through the funnel. Identify areas where your sales process can shine even brighter.

  6. Precise Projections with Win Probabilities: By applying win probabilities to each sales stage, you can calculate bookings precisely, multiplying the opportunity's value by its win probability.


Here is an example of a simple four-stage B2B sales funnel, including win probability and entry criteria:

  • Qualified Lead (10% Probability): At this inception stage, the prospect you had the first meeting and the prospect has shown interest and qualifies as a potential customer.

  • Value Selling (30% Probability): Dive deeper into understanding the prospect's needs, positioning your product or service as the ultimate solution.

  • Commercials (60% Probability): It's time to negotiate price and terms, bringing you closer to sealing the deal.

  • Closing (80% Probability): Not the time for celebrations yet! In the final stage, you seal the deal and secure the signed contract.

This is just one example of a B2B sales stages within a funnel. The stages and steps will vary depending on your business and target market.


Structured B2B sales stages with clear entry criteria are proven to amplify your sales success and leave uncertainty in the dust.

I encourage you to create a structured sales funnel to improve your sales success. It is a powerful tool that can help you guide prospects through the buying journey and close more deals.

19 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


bottom of page