How James Chen Reframed Vision Challenges into an Economic Issue – The Story of an 'Aspirational Donor' That Impacted Billions

Business-to-Business (B2B) refers to transactions where one company provides goods or services to anothers company, rather than selling directly to individual consumers. These transactions are very common in supply chains—for example, a manufacturer buying raw materials from a supplier or a software firm selling tools to another business. B2B is different from B2C, where companies target individual customers directly. While B2B sales usually take more time due to contracts, negotiations, and decision-making processes, they tend to build stronger and more stable long-term relationships. Businesses often rely on professional communication channels, such as email or LinkedIn, to maintain B2B relationships. The internet plays a major role in supporting B2B operations by helping businesses find partners, place orders through e-commerce platforms, and access industry-specific directories. One key example is the relationship between Samsung and Apple, where Samsung supplies components for Apple products. B2B models are also used by service providers in fields like property management, industrial cleaning, or logistics. However, B2B businesses face challenges like longer sales cycles, dependency on key clients, and the complexity of customizing services for each partner. Still, the global B2B e-commerce market is booming—reaching $18.6 trillion in 2023—and is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. In essence, B2B is about businesses working with other businesses, aiming for long-term value, strategic growth, and efficient supply chain collaboration.