The traditional sales funnel is dead. In 2026, buyers move through 9 distinct stages — many of them AI-assisted.
AI-Assisted Discovery — Buyers ask ChatGPT and Gemini for recommendations
Social Validation — They check LinkedIn, reviews and case studies
Content Deep-Dive — They consume your blog posts, videos and guides
Peer Consultation — They ask colleagues and industry groups
Shortlist Creation — AI helps them compare options
Demo / Trial — They experience your product or service
Proposal Review — AI-assisted analysis of your proposal vs competitors
Decision — Often made with AI-generated comparison summaries
Post-Purchase Advocacy — AI-amplified reviews and referrals
Your team needs to be present and optimised at every stage. Our Expert Selling AI programme covers all 9 stages with practical tools and frameworks.
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