Rapidly changing markets and global inflation volatility are putting immense pressure on B2B organisations, threatening to erode profits. In this challenging geopolitical and economic landscape, how can businesses not only protect their margins but also foster profitable growth?
In this article, we outline seven key success factors that will help you optimise cost, price and revenue in volatile markets with greater precision and speed.
The 7 key success factors in B2B pricing
1. Align pricing with your business objective
When it comes to pricing strategies, there is no one-size-fits-all. Every company needs a pricing strategy that fits its unique situation. Your pricing strategy should align with your overall business objectives, whether that is maximising profit, entering a new market or retaining customers. Consider how different approaches – value-based, dynamic or AI-based pricing – can support long-term growth. And always stay flexible enough to make adjustments when the market shifts.
2. Focus on value, not just cost
Think of pricing as telling a story about the value you bring to their business. Emphasising the unique benefits your product or service offers and how it adds value to the customer’s business will help to separate your business from competitors and reinforce why your price is justified. Use perceived customer value, market position and long-term revenue potential as your guides. And do not just price for the short-term wins; price for the long-term relationship. Customer lifetime value is the real prize here.
3. Let data guide your decisions
Use data to guide your pricing decisions. With analytics and AI, you can track what is happening in the market, how customers are reacting to prices and what your competitors are up to. Data-driven insights allow you to refine pricing strategies and ensure they align with customer expectations. By continuously testing and refining your prices, you can respond quickly to changes and make sure your strategy is always on point.
4. Segment customers based on needs
Not all customers want the same. By segmenting customers based on needs, behaviours or purchase volumes, you can provide the optimal solution at the right price for your customers depending on their needs. This will help customer retention and satisfaction and ultimately boost the company’s profits. Adjust your segmentation by bundling products or services to specific segments or apply micro-segmentation for discounts or promotions. This way, everyone gets what they need – and are happy to pay for it.
5. Establish a pricing committee to keep things under control
With so many pricing choices, having a dedicated pricing committee is essential to keep things organised. This committee will make structured pricing decisions, ensure alignment across all channels and communicate with the sales team. Their responsibilities include defining discount rules and approval processes, training the sales teams in said pricing rules and defining roles and responsibilities to ensure effective collaboration. It is also important to provide regular updates to ensure transparency and ensure your sales teams understand the rationale behind pricing decisions.
6. Leverage tools and technology
If you are still adjusting prices manually, it is time to upgrade. A pricing tool can do the heavy lifting for you, adjusting prices based on demand, competition or even customer behaviour in real-time data. This will increase clarity around price setting and efficiency. Start small, piloting in one market and involve your sales team early to increase buy-in and trust and ensure tools meet on-the-ground needs.
7. Continuously monitor and adjust performance management
Pricing strategy is not a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. You need to check in regularly on how your pricing strategy is performing and make adjustments when needed. Keep an eye on key metrics like customer acquisition costs customer lifetime value, gross margin, and churn rate to assess the performance of the pricing strategy. Encourage a culture of testing and learning, where tweaking pricing strategies is seen as a way to improve, not as a failure.
By adopting these seven key factors, you can safeguard your business’ margins and foster sustainable growth. However, implementing the approaches requires deep expertise and a clear understanding of both market dynamics and customer needs. If you’re looking to refine your pricing model or need tailored advice on navigating the complexities of pricing in volatile markets, feel free to reach out. We can help you design and execute pricing strategies that drive profitable growth and set your business on a path to long-term success.
Get in touch today to learn how to optimise your pricing strategy and stay ahead of the competition.
Danilo Zatta, PhD
[email protected]
+49 172 6937532
Anders Worsøe Gantzhorn
[email protected]
+45 2022 5337
