In a complex selling situation involving multiple buying influences, it has been suggestedthat salespeople need to develop a special relationship with a buying influence referred to as an advocate. The role of the advocate is to help guide you in the sale by providing criticalinformation about the organization and the people involved in the purchase decision. These people may be internal or external to the buying organization. They do not necessarily make the sale or make referrals, but they are willing to provide key information about those who infuence the sale. They are often able to sell for you when you cannot be there, for example,during purchasing committee meetings. Their motivation for providing this information is that they are convinced that your product is best for the organization, and therefore they have a personal interest in seeing that you get the sale. Some ways in which the advocate may win include the following:Personal. Wants you to win because he or she knows you, likes you, and wants to see s you, ana wants to see you be successful.Professional. Wins by doing his or her job better, achieving goals, and helping the companies meet objectives.Recognition. Wins by receiving recognition from his or her own organization.Negative. Really wants someone else to lose.