I run a BD team inside a megacap (>$300bn+). Thanks to general corporate dysfunction I am also responsible for procurement for the team. A few years ago I was in the process of buying a solution ($40k) and we were dragging our feet because life corporate inertia. Then the guy sent an email to a board member of the company (well known public figure and a multi-billionaire) asking him to help move the process along.
The board member had no idea who I was or what the product was but engaged with the email for whatever reason (?!) so the inquiry got forwarded to the CEO and then the SVP then the EVP then the VP then the Senior Director and then eventually me with a chain of "wtf is this".
Probably the closest I've gotten to yelling at a vendor - terminated the process and went with a competitor instead.
TL;DR: yes work all your channels but if you are not selling a transformational product leave the big bosses out of it
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