ENGAGEMENT-SPECIFICLesson B2B-3 • Architecture Decision
Cordova Architecture Decision Framework
The most important strategic decision in the B2B portion of this engagement. Three options on the table:
Option A: Full B2B Edition
Option B: Standard Meridian Journey
Option C: Hybrid
Option A: Full B2B Edition

Upsides

  • Purpose-built B2B capabilities
  • AI-assisted member assignment
  • Account-level journey progression
  • In-CRM buying group visibility
  • Role-based content orchestration

Downsides

  • Convoy Engine dependency
  • Additional licensing cost
  • Added architectural complexity
  • Longer implementation timeline
  • Steeper learning curve for team

Best for

Enterprise trade accounts with complex, multi-stakeholder buying processes involving 3-5+ decision makers. High account volume where manual orchestration doesn't scale.

Option B: Standard Meridian Journey + Manual Segmentation

Upsides

  • No Convoy Engine dependency
  • No additional licensing
  • Team already knows standard Meridian Journey
  • Simpler architecture
  • Faster to implement

Downsides

  • No native buying group modeling
  • No account-level journey progression
  • Manual stakeholder coordination
  • More work to maintain at scale
  • Limited role-based orchestration

Best for

Smaller trade accounts where a single contact typically makes the purchasing decision. Lower account volume where manual segmentation is manageable.

Option C: Hybrid Approach

Often the Most Practical Choice

Use Meridian Journey B2B for your highest-value enterprise trade accounts where buying groups are complex and multi-stakeholder. Use standard Meridian Journey for smaller trade accounts where a single contact makes the decision.

How to Split

Define a threshold — accounts above $X annual revenue or with 3+ known contacts get Meridian Journey B2B treatment. Everyone else gets standard Meridian Journey journeys. This maximizes ROI on the Meridian Journey B2B investment while keeping the simpler accounts simple.

Four Evaluation Criteria

1. Buying Process Complexity

How many stakeholders in a typical Cordova trade purchase? If usually 1 person → Meridian Journey B2B is overkill. If 3-5 decision makers → it adds real value.

2. Trade Account Volume

Is buying group management overhead justified by account count? B2B Edition shines at scale with hundreds of accounts.

3. Sales Team CRM Integration

Does sales need in-CRM visibility into buying group status? B2B Edition provides Salesforce/Dynamics 365 integration for this.

4. Convoy Engine Dependency

Does the client already have Convoy Engine?? If not, adding it solely for B2B Edition significantly increases scope.

What to Do in Your Sandbox
Score each option against the four criteria, then validate with hands-on testing:

Evaluation Steps

1. Model 3-5 representative Cordova accounts with realistic buying groups
2. Build a simple account journey through awareness → evaluation → purchase
3. Test role-based email orchestration (different content per role)
4. Review reporting dashboards for engagement visibility
5. Document findings in a recommendation memo scoring all three options

The Memo Is Your Deliverable

Your architecture recommendation memo becomes a key input for the client discussion. Score each option against the four criteria, include what you learned from sandbox testing, and make a clear recommendation with rationale.

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Three Options
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Option A: Full B2B Edition
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Option B: Standard Meridian Journey
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Option C: Hybrid
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Decision Criteria
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Your Sandbox Evaluation