What We Learned “On the Other Side of the Table”: Keys to Winning Over Major Buyers
Selling to a large corporation is one of the greatest challenges suppliers and business owners face. Navigating complex procurement departments and making a proposal stand out can seem like a titanic task. To help decode this challenge, the Colombian American Chamber Of Commerce Miami hosted the business breakfast “Corporate Networking: On the Other Side of the Table,” where experts Adriana Lobo and Douglas Regueros shared powerful insights from the perspective of those who make purchasing decisions.
The entire event revolved around a central question—one the speakers posed to challenge every attendee in the room: Do you want to understand how procurement professionals think and how to turn every proposal into a real business opportunity?
1. The Decisive Shift: From Selling Products to Building Strategic Partnerships
The first major takeaway—and perhaps the most impactful—was a call to dismantle the transactional mindset that dominates many sales interactions. The message was clear: major buyers are not looking for just another vendor. Adriana Lobo, in her role as Director of Strategic Sourcing at ALSEA Trading Group LLC, emphasized that her team does not seek transactions; they seek partners who strengthen their business ecosystem. The approach must shift from reactive to proactive—presenting solutions that demonstrate a deep understanding of long-term corporate objectives.
2. Strategic Vision: The Key to Increasing Close Rates by 50%
This shift toward strategic partnership represents the “vision” behind the event’s bold promise: increasing close rates by 50%. The speakers made it clear that this result is not achieved through aggressive tactics or lower pricing, but by “negotiating with vision and selling with strategy.” The most successful proposals are those aligned with the buyer’s long-term direction. A supplier who understands where a company is heading—and how their solution can accelerate that journey—becomes an invaluable asset, justifying not only the purchase but a lasting relationship.
3. On the Other Side of the Table: From Opponent to Essential Collaborator
To build these alliances and sell with vision, a final shift in perspective is required—one captured in the very title of the event. Traditionally, many sales professionals view procurement departments as barriers. This perception was challenged by Douglas Regueros, who, from his perspective as a Procurement Expert and International Consultant, explained that a supplier’s true role is to help procurement professionals succeed internally by understanding their metrics and pressures. When suppliers stop viewing buyers as opponents and start treating them as collaborators, the dynamic fundamentally changes.
A New Perspective for the Future
The business breakfast “On the Other Side of the Table” made it clear that success with major buyers requires meaningful evolution. It is not about selling more—it is about collaborating better. The path forward is clear: see the buyer as a partner, build alliances based on shared vision, and transform every proposal into an opportunity for mutual growth.
At the end of the session, one question resonated strongly among attendees: Will your next proposal be a catalog of services—or a manifesto of strategic collaboration?
We extend our gratitude to Adriana Lobo and Douglas Regueros for sharing their expertise and experience. We invite our community to stay tuned for future events and to continue taking advantage of these valuable learning and networking opportunities organized by the Colombian American Chamber Of Commerce Miami.














