Business Development and the Key Skill You Need to Succeed

Business development is a key role in any organization. The business developer is tasked with the responsibility of creating long term value for its customers, building and maintaining strategic business relationships to increase revenue, and even entering new markets in some cases. Even though the responsibilities of a business development executive may vary from organization to organization, the skills required to succeed in the defined career is consistent. Before we talk about the key skill to succeed in business development, let us define what business development is. Is business development sales? Or is it making deals and forging partnerships? According to Scott Pollack in his article, What Exactly Is Business Development?, business development is “the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships.” From his definition, we understand that as a business developer, you will be spending a lot of time interacting with your customers, your market and building relationships. Communication: The Secret ingredient Whether you are articulating the benefits of a product to your customers, or signing a deal with a strategic partner to drive sales, you will need to communicate your vision and ideas clearly and effectively to succeed. Sara Tribble, Affiliate Coordinator at Paint Bull, put it this way: “Clear communication, written or verbal, is key for any business developer.” So how can you improve your communication skills? Practice! Sarah says, “Simply talk to people and not just within your set industry. By exploring other individuals outside your comfort zone, you will pick up patterns and flow which can easily carry over to your natural habits. And no worries if you start off awkward, you’ll get past that! Too many people worry about how they sound versus just making a sound. Be specific Great communicators know how to make their words count. Choose simplicity over ambiguity. Listen As a business developer, it is important for your clients, partners and customers to trust you. And how else can you gain their trust if not by listening to them? What do you think? Is communication the secret ingredient to success in business development? Do you have other tips to share on how to improve communication? Leave a comment below.   Mason Frederick shares relevant knowledge that you can use to grow your career in marketing and build small businesses.  

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This article was first published on 6th March 2014

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