Job priorities for technical buyers and engineers 
IPB October 2011
Buyers of industrial products and/or services responded to this IPB via an online survey conducted in October 2011. More than 8 out of 10 respondents (82.4%) represented technical buyers and/or engineers. These buyers were asked to rank their top priorities to completing or exceeding expectations for a given job or project, followed by what they saw as key to accomplishing those goals.
Here are the fast facts you need to know:
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Primary Job Goals of Technical Buyers/Engineers:
- Developing new product designs.
- Finding new markets/applications for their products.
- Reducing costs of product components/materials.
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Secondary Job Goals of Technical Buyers/Engineers:
- Improving current product/service quality and features.
- Improving time to market for new products and meeting project deadlines.
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Tertiary Job Goals of Technical Buyers/Engineers:
- Improving product performance.
- Finding new suppliers.
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Engineers/technical buyers need CAD drawings...
When it comes to accomplishing job goals, the single most frequently referenced requirement among engineers/technical buyers was CAD files and technical drawings. In verbatim responses, one buyer said, "I use 3D CAD models whenever I can." More than half explicitly specified that they wanted to be able to download CADs. -
Technical buyers/engineers rely on supplier websites...
More than half (53%) of technical buyers and engineers said they rely on supplier websites to determine if a company can help them accomplish their job goals. Information they seek out on websites includes product/industry news (44%), searchable product information (37%), and technical papers (35%).
What do these fast facts mean for you?
Technical buyers and engineers are focused on developing new products, improving the value and performance of their own offerings, reducing development time and costs, and saving money. In order to convince potential customers that your products/services can help them achieve these goals, you need to provide critical information - specifically downloadable CAD drawings and technical details. And the first place a buyer is going to look for this information is on your website. If you do not have a robust website that demonstrates you understand these buyersí needs, you could be losing business.
ThomasNet has helped thousands of companies just like yours to create an online marketing strategy and website that meet the needs of industrial buyers who expect relevant and detailed information so that they will contact those companies and buy from them. We can help you too.
