Recession can create downward cycle

Businesses providing products that are the same as there competitors and offer no differential other than the people in the business will suffer a drop in margins as the market reduces and it becomes a buyers market place. The problem with this may be that some clients typically need the services of a sales professional to visit and specify the correct item or simply to see and demonstrate a system or product. With reducing margin company's will ill be able to afford such a luxury as a fully mobile expensed representative.
Buying solely on price in the commercial sense can end up costing more through wasteful systems or incorrect specifications for the task and sometimes many times more. Spare a thought for the sales professional as they can be your best chance of best price through best practice!