Identifying the decision maker is crucial if you’re running a business or trying to close a deal with a company. But sometimes, finding the right person can be difficult and time-consuming.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to identify decision maker in business effortlessly. In this blog, we will provide you with ten different ways of identifying the decision-maker in a company.

Following these tips can save time and resources on the right person and increase your chances of closing a deal.

Whether new to business or a seasoned professional, these methods can be applied in various situations and will help you streamline your decision-making process.

With this guide, you’ll be able to navigate the corporate landscape more effectively and make the connections you need to succeed.

So, let’s dive in and explore ten different ways to identify the key decision-makers easily.

Who is the Decision Maker at a Company?

Before knowing different ways on how to identify decision maker in business, it is essential to know who is the decision maker in a company. 

The decision maker is typically someone with a high-ranking C-suite title who has the power to make the final call.

The decision maker is the person or group responsible for making the final decision about a particular matter within the company. This can range from minor decisions, such as approving a purchase, to significant decisions, like selecting a new CEO.

The person who ultimately has the power to say “yes” or “no” to a proposal or deal can be called a decision-maker.

Why is it essential to identify the decision maker?

It can be demoralizing for sales reps to spend time presenting to someone only to find out they are not the decision maker. That’s why it’s essential to know the right decision maker and tailor your presentation to their needs.

For example, if he/she is a finance executive, they may be more interested in cost reduction, while a marketing director may be more interested in increased revenue.

It’s also important to note that multiple decision-makers may exist for a particular purchase. This makes it even more important to know how to find the company’s decision-makers and understand their needs.

So, always ensure you know the key decision maker, and focus your efforts on presenting your solution to them.

How to Identify Decision Makers

Now that you know who a decision-maker is, we’ll share different ways on how to identify decision maker in business. 

• Look at the Company’s Organizational Chart

One of the most effective ways to identify the decision-maker in a business is to research the company’s organizational chart. This chart can give you a clear understanding of the company’s hierarchy, departments, and reporting structure.

You can start by looking at the company’s website or contacting their HR department to find the organizational chart. You can also use online databases like LinkedIn or ZoomInfo to understand the company’s structure better.

Look for individuals in high-ranking positions, such as C-level executives, department heads, or managers. These individuals will likely have the authority to make the final purchasing decision.

By researching and understanding the company’s organizational chart, you can increase your chances of closing deals and growing your business.

• Research the company’s website.

Another effective way to identify the decision maker in a business is to research the company’s website. Many companies have a “Leadership” or “Management” page that lists the key executives and decision-makers within the organization with their job titles.

By examining these pages, you can better understand who has the authority to make purchasing decisions and who you should be targeting in your sales efforts.

Many companies provide detailed information about their products and services on their website, case studies, and customer success stories.

Reviewing this content lets you gain insight into the company’s needs, pain points, and priorities. This information can help you personalize the sales process to meet their needs and concerns.

• Check the Company’s LinkedIn Page

LinkedIn is a social media platform designed specifically for professionals, and many companies use it to showcase their brands and connect with potential customers. It’s an excellent place to reach decision-makers in a company.

Examining the company’s LinkedIn page, you can find decision-makers, such as executives, managers, and department heads.

You can also see if any employees in the company are already connected to you or your network, which can provide valuable insights and potential referral opportunities.

Companies use LinkedIn to post job listings, which can give you a better understanding of the company’s hiring needs and priorities.

• Use sales intelligence tools

Sales intelligence tools like ZoomInfo and Hubspot are software programs that can provide you with detailed information about a company, including key decision-makers, their contact information, and their purchasing behaviors.

These tools can help you identify the individuals within the organization who have the power to make purchasing decisions and provide you with insights into their priorities and preferences.

Sales intelligence tools also provide real-time alerts and notifications when key decision-makers change positions or leave the company, allowing you to adjust your strategy accordingly.

• Utilize Social Media Platforms

Social media provides a wealth of information about a company, including its key decision-makers and professional backgrounds.

How to identify decision maker in business using social media platforms?

By searching for the company’s social media pages, you can identify individuals who hold senior-level positions within the organization and those responsible for making decisions.

Many social media platforms have built-in search functions that allow you to search for specific job titles or keywords within a company’s network. This can help you identify decision-makers who may not be immediately apparent through other research methods.

• Identify common connections

Another way to look for the decision maker in a company is to identify common connections between yourself and the company. This may include mutual acquaintances or personal relationships with employees at the company.

Suppose you have a mutual connection with a senior-level executive at the company. In that case, you can leverage that relationship to gain access to the decision-maker or to receive a warm introduction.

In addition to leveraging your network, you can use professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to identify common connections.

• Reach out to the Company’s Customer Service Department

One often overlooked way to identify the decision maker in a business is to reach out to the company’s customer service department.

While customer service representatives may not have direct contact with the decision-maker, they can provide valuable information about the company’s organizational structure and decision-making process.

When contacting the customer service department, politely ask specific questions about the company’s decision-making process and the individuals involved.

You can also inquire about the best way to contact the decision maker or request a referral to someone who can provide more information.

• Talk to the gatekeeper

The gatekeeper is the person who controls access to the decision-maker. This could be an administrative assistant or receptionist who handles the decision maker’s schedule and filters incoming calls and emails.

While the gatekeeper is not the decision maker, they can provide valuable information about the decision maker’s preferences and priorities. Gatekeepers are the best people to answer your question, “How to identify decision maker in business?” 

Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your call or visit. Ask for their advice on the best way to reach the decision maker and inquire about their schedule and availability.

You can also ask about the decision maker’s preferences and priorities, such as their preferred method of communication or their main concerns when considering a new solution.

Remember that the gatekeeper can be a valuable ally in identifying the right decision-maker in a business, so it’s essential to treat them with respect and professionalism.

• Attend industry events

Attending industry events is a great way to identify decision-makers in a business. These events offer a great opportunity to network and meet new people, including potential decision-makers.

These events allow you to interact with people in your industry and better understand their roles in their respective companies. Do your research beforehand to make the most out of attending an industry event.

During the event, make sure to approach people and strike up conversations. Ask them about their role in their company and see if they have any decision-making power.

Please note their name and company, and follow up with them after the event to continue the conversation and build a relationship.

• Use Swordfish AI

Swordfish AI is a powerful contact-finding tool that can help you identify the decision-makers within a company. This platform can save you a lot of time and effort because it searches through a database of over 3.5 billion profiles to find the right person.

Swordfish AI uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to determine the most relevant contacts for your search query.

Swordfish is widely used by leading defense, tech, government agencies, recruiters, and sales professionals. It searches across popular social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, GitHub, Bing, and Twitter to gather information.

But how to identify decision maker in business using a contact-finder tool?

You can search by company, job title, industry, location, etc. Once you have identified potential decision-makers, Swordfish AI can provide additional information about them, such as their email addresses and phone numbers.

Swordfish AI can especially be helpful when you need to find decision-makers in companies that are private or when the company’s organizational chart is not readily available.

Swordfish AI can also help you identify decision-makers in industries or markets you may not be familiar with.

Swordfish’s Chrome extension lets you bulk-find contact data for anyone online. Moreover, Swordfish AI connects with more than 200 live partners and performs real-time validation of email addresses and phone lines.

Each phone and email entry has green check marks to indicate the records’ accuracy. By using Swordfish AI, you can be confident that the information you receive is reliable and valuable.

Swordfish AI compiles information from top identity verification providers, such as Dun & Bradstreet, Hoovers, Experian, and many other independent sources. It uses this information to provide accurate and direct information about the people you are searching for.

You can expect an average of 80% accuracy on cell phone data worldwide and 95%+ on email data.

Swordfish Pricing

You can contact our team to get the pricing. Here are the plans offered by us-

Conclusion

I hope I answered your question- how to identify decision maker in business. By following the ways mentioned above, you can locate them effortlessly.

From researching the company’s organizational chart to attending industry events, all the tips mentioned can help you identify the decision maker and improve your sales conversion rate.

It is crucial to remember that identifying decision-makers is only half the battle; the other half is to communicate effectively with them. Knowing their roles, responsibilities, and priorities can help you tailor your approach and make a strong pitch.

Swordfish AI can be a valuable tool if you want to make your search for decision-makers even easier. It simplifies finding and verifying decision-makers contact information and makes your outreach efforts more effective.

With Swordfish AI, you can save time and effort while improving your sales prospecting game. Try it out today!