Why it’s important to increase B2B customer alignment
Make no mistake, the current commercial climate is changing your market and your customers’ priorities. If you can adjust your brand positioning accordingly, you’ll stay relevant. If not, you may feel as if you missed the bus when things improve.


The importance of B2B customer alignment
Right now, it’s about understanding your customers’ needs, and communicating clearly how you can meet them. These are uncertain times. Companies are operating in ways they have never done before. For many, projects are stagnating, and new business is on hold. More than ever, your customers need confidence in you as the right partner or supplier to help get them through. Ultimately, you need to increase B2B customer alignment by adapting your approach and solutions to meet the changing needs and expectations of your customers. This requires a deep understanding of your customers’ pain points, challenges, and priorities, and a willingness to collaborate and co-create solutions that address their specific needs. Clear and transparent communication is also crucial in building trust and confidence with your customers, particularly in times of uncertainty and disruption. By prioritising B2B customer alignment, you can not only weather the current storm but also position your business for long-term success and growth.
But what does this mean for your marketing strategy? History has shown that during economic downturns, successful businesses are those that not only make cuts, but invest wisely. If you too are facing a shrinking budget and are unsure where to focus your efforts, we recommend that you give serious thought to your brand positioning.
CBC blog link: B2B growth through a customer-centric strategy
Be more customer focused
We’re not talking about a full-scale rebrand here. Instead, as the market shifts, you may need to reassess your proposition to be more aligned with new customer priorities, and new ways of doing business.
Because there’s one thing you can be sure of: your competitors will be thinking along similar lines.
To maintain relationships and, crucially, trust in your brand, your positioning must reveal deep insight into your customers’ needs. It’s critical that you understand what challenges they are facing, and how your value proposition supports them.
There are ways to gain a more focused perspective, for example, third party research, workshops and information sharing, online surveys and interviews to name a few. And now, while people are working from home more often and less in closed-door teams, this might be an ideal opportunity to reach out and capture some of their time and attention.
CBC blog link: Maintaining relevance and relationships in uncertain times
Reinforce customer confidence
There’s nothing new in saying that your brand positioning should clearly express the value you provide, and why you do it better than anyone else. However, during all this disruption, decisions can be harder for your customers to make and people will often rather stay safe. Don’t be the riskier option. Find ways and channels that reassure your audience and remind them of the benefits your services or products can offer, especially in regard to the current commercial climate.
Make smart decisions
Any economic downturn will bring significant disruption to the marketplace, but COVID-19 has accelerated things in a way we have never seen before. Companies are being forced to adjust their strategies and their buying journey simply isn’t the same as it was only a few weeks ago.
As with all periods of change, there are challenges and opportunities. As this situation evolves, and hopefully improves, there’s no doubt that the brands that have stayed in tune with the evolving landscape will be better positioned to win market share.
Make sure you are one of those brands. Make smart decisions about where to cut, and where to invest. Understand your customers’ challenges and needs. Adjust your value offering accordingly. And find ways to engage with your customers to make sure they know all about it.
If you need help reassessing your brand positioning, contact Managing Partner Ralph Krøyer on +45 35 25 01 75 or at rk@cbc.dk to explore your options.