7 Overlooked B2B Sales Qualification Questions You Should Start Using Today

Proper questions are one of the most powerful tools that B2B reps have. When they ask the right questions, reps don’t only find which prospects are a suitable fit, they also discover what pain points each prospect is experiencing and the goals they seek to accomplish. The right questions also provide visibility into the competitive landscape. With this information, reps can then help their prospects move toward a purchase decision.

Most B2B salespeople are familiar with BANT:

• What’s your Budget?
• Who has the authority to buy?
• Do you have a need for this solution?
• What’s your implementation timeframe?

BANT is great to start, but it leaves out several often overlooked questions that you should consider asking prospects. The following are several powerful, yet often overlooked sales qualification questions:

What Part of Your Job is Most Frustrating?

This question is designed to help you discover your prospect’s primary pain point. If you can identify your prospect’s frustrations, you can then offer solutions that alleviate the pain and help close the deal.

How Have You Tried to Solve That Problem So Far?

This is an awesome sales question because the answer will virtually always offer insight into where in the buying cycle they are, as well as how their organization is structured. For instance, are they investigating other solutions? Are they trying to cobble together budget? Do they have buy-in from key decision makers?

What’s Your Current Solution’s Financial Impact?

One of the most time-worn sales qualification questions is “Who is your current provider for ”. However, this question alone is probably going to yield a short answer that tells you little-to-nothing about whether they’re a suitable prospect. By asking what the financial impact of their current solution has been you can discover how happy they are with their current offering as well as how open to change they are.

What Led You to Start Looking for a Change Now?

If a prospect wants to make a change, it’s important to understand why. You must identify the catalysts that drive a desire to implement change so you can create your sales strategy. Did they just get budget for a solution? Is your prospect a new hire with a mandate for change? Do they have a lease or policy set to expire? Their answer can help you to identify how big of a priority your solution is.

Can You Envision Our Solution Helping you Achieve Your Primary Goals?

After you discover what your prospects primary goals are, try to draw a direct line between your solution and those goals. Help them imagine a better reality that awaits them with your solution. If they are unable to see how your solution can help them reach their goals, then it’s up to you to help them see the ways that your solution can make a difference for them.

What has Your Process Been Like When You Implemented Similar Solutions?

It’s vital to know when a prospect wants to implement a solution. But it’s likewise crucial to make sure that implementations are successful. That’s why you need to know whether they have the resources in place to handle a successful implementation. One of the best ways to discover this is to see how they’ve handled similar implementations in the past.

For example, some SaaS solutions may require training, administration, custom development and more. Make sure that prospects understand the scope of implementation. If it seems like they don’t have the resources to handle a large implementation up front, consider lowering the scope of the deal. Starting small can be an excellent way to prove value. And once value is proven, it’s relatively easy to expand.

Are there Any Issues that Other Stakeholders May Be Concerned With

In today’s complex B2B sales landscape, navigating through a maze of decision-makers is more challenging than ever. With CFOs joining the conversation for even the smallest deals in 2024, understanding the diverse concerns and goals of stakeholders from various departments is crucial. During discovery calls, it’s not just about identifying who these stakeholders are but delving deeper into their unique pain points and objectives. This strategic approach empowers you to build a coalition of stakeholders, paving the way for a unanimous decision in favor of your solution.

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