Buyer Persona and the Decision Unit
Day 4 of 30 · B2B Sales 2026 Masterclass
# Learning Goal
- Identify the roles in the decision unit (user, champion, finance, procurement, legal/IT).
- Create one decision-unit map for an ICP.
- List 5 risks (who can block and how).
## Who
- Understand the roles involved in the decision-making process for a specific industry buyer.
## What
- Map out the decision unit for a specific industry buyer.
- Identify and list potential risks and blockers.
## Where
- Apply this knowledge to a specific industry buyer.
## When
- Complete the exercise within the given time frame.
## Why It Matters
- Decisions are multi-threaded—if you rely on one champion, you stall.
- Early blocker mapping speeds negotiation.
- Persona clarity drives relevant messaging and next steps.
## How
- Identify the roles in the decision unit.
- Create a decision-unit map for an ICP.
- List potential risks and blockers.
### Guided Exercise (10–15 minutes)
- Pick an ICP and draw the decision unit (role + name if known).
- For each role, note 1–2 risks/info needs.
- Write 3 discovery questions to reveal who decides and who can block.
### Independent Exercise (5–10 minutes)
- On a live deal, fill the missing roles: who’s absent, how will you engage them?
### Self-check
- Decision-unit map done.
- Risks per role listed.
- 3 discovery questions ready.
- Applied to a live deal.
### Optional Deep Dive
- Gartner Buying Committee:
- Challenger Customer summary: