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MEDDIC vs. SNAP: Finding the Right Sales Framework for 2025

By 
Max Gayler
 on 
November 4, 2024
Remote Works

You’ve got 30 seconds to hook your prospect—or lose them. Which approach do you take: dig deep or keep it simple? In sales, the answer can make or break a deal.

For high-stakes deals with multiple decision-makers, MEDDIC dives into every detail, ensuring nothing gets missed. It’s a framework for those who want control and precision, breaking down every layer of a prospect’s buying process. Meanwhile, SNAP is built for speed. Designed to remove friction and focus on what matters most to buyers, it’s a go-to for short sales cycles where every minute counts.

Both have their strengths, but here’s the catch: using MEDDIC where SNAP fits better—or vice versa—can slow down or even derail your sales process. So how do you know which one will work best for your team? Let’s dive deeper into the details of MEDDIC vs SNAP and see where each framework shines.

Key Takeaways

  • MEDDIC is a deep, detailed framework ideal for long, complex sales cycles involving multiple decision-makers.
  • SNAP prioritizes speed and simplicity, aiming to streamline the decision-making process for faster closes.
  • Both approaches need to be chosen carefully based on your sales process, team structure, and customer profiles.

Why a Sales Methodology Matters

The importance of a structured sales methodology is clear. According to a study by the Sales Management Association, companies that follow a defined sales process are 33% more likely to be high performers.

Implementing a sales methodology like MEDDIC or SPICED offers several key benefits:

  1. Consistency: Ensures a uniform approach across the sales team.
  2. Efficiency: Companies with a formal sales process have 18% more revenue growth compared to companies that don't.
  3. Scalability: Facilitates easier onboarding and performance tracking as teams grow.
  4. Predictability: Improves forecasting accuracy and pipeline management.

However, it's important to note that implementing a sales methodology is not without challenges. Research shows that 40% of salespeople find getting responses from prospects to be getting harder, highlighting the need for robust qualification frameworks.

What is MEDDIC?

Created in the 1990s by Jack Napoli at PTC, MEDDIC was built for high-stakes, complex sales environments. The framework stands for:

  1. Metrics: What are the measurable success indicators for the prospect?
  2. Economic Buyer: Who holds the budget and makes the financial decisions?
  3. Decision Criteria: What are the critical requirements and standards to close the deal?
  4. Decision Process: How does the decision get made, and who is involved?
  5. Identify Pain: What problem is the prospect trying to solve?
  6. Champion: Who within the organization will advocate for your solution?

The MEDDIC framework is precise and comprehensive, making it ideal for deals with complex buying committees or high-value transactions. By covering every potential angle, it minimizes the risk of objections or last-minute surprises.

Pros of MEDDIC:

  • Comprehensive: Every part of the decision-making process is accounted for.
  • Focus on Value: It places a strong emphasis on metrics and value demonstration.
  • Champion-Centric: One of the few methodologies that builds relationships with internal advocates.

Cons of MEDDIC:

  • Time-Consuming: Gathering detailed information for each step can be slow.
  • Complex: MEDDIC can overwhelm newer teams or smaller sales cycles.
  • Overkill for Simple Deals: For simpler sales, MEDDIC may feel excessive and slow things down.

When to Use MEDDIC: If you’re dealing with long sales cycles, multiple decision-makers, or highly structured buying processes, MEDDIC is your go-to. Enterprise software sales, for instance, benefit greatly from the rigor of MEDDIC.

What is SNAP?

Created by Jill Konrath, SNAP is a methodology designed for simplicity and speed. In a time when buyers are overwhelmed with options, SNAP helps you stand out by focusing on what’s essential for the buyer.

SNAP stands for:

  1. Simple: Keep the sales process straightforward, removing any unnecessary complexity.
  2. iNvaluable: Position your solution as essential to the prospect’s success.
  3. Align: Make sure the solution matches the prospect’s primary objectives.
  4. Priorities: Emphasize the prospect’s urgent needs and priorities.

With SNAP, the goal is to stay out of the weeds and focus on what will drive a quick decision. It’s particularly effective for transactional sales and situations where the prospect may feel rushed or distracted.

Pros of SNAP:

  • Buyer-Focused: SNAP keeps the focus on what’s essential for the prospect.
  • Quick Implementation: It’s simple to learn and easy to apply.
  • Efficient: SNAP minimizes delays by addressing the prospect’s primary needs directly.

Cons of SNAP:

  • Limited Depth: For complex deals, SNAP may lack the detail needed to close.
  • Less Strategic: Compared to MEDDIC, SNAP doesn’t dig as deeply into decision processes or internal champions.
  • Not Ideal for Long Cycles: For multi-stage, high-value deals, SNAP might be too lightweight.

When to Use SNAP: If you’re handling short sales cycles, straightforward solutions, or high-velocity environments, SNAP is a powerful tool. It’s particularly useful for selling transactional products, where quick decisions are key.

MEDDIC vs SNAP: A Direct Comparison

To help you decide between MEDDIC vs SNAP, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:

Choosing MEDDIC: If your sales cycle is long, involves multiple decision-makers, and requires an in-depth understanding of pain points, MEDDIC is likely your best fit. It works well for high-stakes B2B sales where aligning with multiple stakeholders is essential.

Choosing SNAP: For shorter sales cycles or when you’re working in transactional sales environments, SNAP offers a streamlined approach that gets to the core of what matters for buyers. It keeps your focus on essentials without slowing down the process.

Implementing a New Sales Methodology for Your Team

Whether you choose MEDDIC or SNAP, successful implementation requires strategic planning. Here’s how to make either framework work for your team:

  1. Invest in Training: Comprehensive training is essential, especially for frameworks like MEDDIC. Consider external trainers or digital tools like Claap, where team members can learn, review, and practice MEDDIC or SNAP directly on sales calls.
  2. Integrate with CRM: Ensure that the methodology you choose is integrated into your CRM for seamless tracking. Your CRM should allow reps to log metrics, buyer priorities, and decision criteria.
  3. Encourage Adaptation: While following the framework is key, allow reps flexibility to adapt as needed for each deal. A rigid approach can sometimes hinder more than help.
  4. Monitor and Measure: Regularly track the impact of your chosen methodology on conversion rates, deal velocity, and forecast accuracy.
  5. Celebrate Wins: Recognize team members who effectively use the framework to close deals. Positive reinforcement boosts morale and encourages ongoing adoption.

Studies show that companies with structured sales processes have higher net sales per employee, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training and support.

The Future of Sales Qualification

As you head into 2025, choosing a sales methodology is more than just a checkbox—it’s a strategic decision that can impact every deal. The choice between MEDDIC vs SNAP depends on your sales cycle, deal complexity, and buyer needs. Test a methodology for three months, track the impact, and adjust as needed. And remember, a well-implemented methodology is one that adapts with your team’s growth and evolving sales landscape.

Ready to get started? Tools like Claap are ready to support your team in mastering MEDDIC, SNAP, or any other framework with call recording, AI breakdowns, and deal tracking. Whether you choose depth with MEDDIC or speed with SNAP, a structured approach to qualification can transform your sales outcomes.

We suggest trialing one for 3 months and seeing how your results change. And if you’re interested in other frameworks like MEDDPICC, we can help there.

How Can I Implement the MEDDIC or SPIN Sales Methodology in My Sales Team?

MEDDIC or SPIN sound like something right up your street? Let’s get you set up.

There are a number of ways for you and your sales team to start investing in the MEDDIC or SPIN sales methodology.

The easiest way is by signing up to Claap. This tool records all your sales calls, gives you an AI summary along with a word-for-word transcript of everything that was said. You can even record quick video clips to send to your prospects and keep them engaged.

Each of your call recordings even comes with a coaching tab so you can get a MEDDIC/SPIN breakdown of every call to make sure you’re completing the framework and maximizing your conversion. 

You can even get a complete view of all your deals and see which steps of MEDDIC/SPIN have been completed between all the calls you have with prospects.

You can get a 14-day FREE trial right now (no credit card required).

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