In the business world, the term "middleman" is often used to refer to someone who acts as an intermediary between two parties. For example, in the supply chain, a middleman may be a distributor who buys goods from a manufacturer and then sells them to a retailer. The middleman typically charges a higher price than the manufacturer, which allows them to make a profit. Salespeople are often considered middlemen as well since they match buyers with sellers. While middlemen can often play an essential role in business transactions, they can also add unnecessary cost and complexity. In some cases, it may be possible to eliminate the middleman.