Updated June 12, 2023
Introduction to Business Development Strategies
Business Development Strategies…. Errr… What is that? Is it related to sales? Is it related to partnerships? Is it a tiring job? Can I do it? Is it related to target achievement? Lots of unanswered questions….. Let’s try to find an answer to these queries.
Business Development Strategies is a combination of numerous individual tasks that aim to implement and develop growth opportunities either within the organization or between two or more organizations. It is related to the all-round development of a particular business which makes it enriching and fruitful. It is a mixture of commerce, business and organizational behaviour theories. Business development deals with establishing long-term value factors for an organization from the point of view of markets, customers, and their interrelationships.
In recent times, there is a new job profile of a Business Development Executive whose function has evolved as the business world has transformed into the global economy. This job profile represents a pivotal role in increasing the amount of business for a particular company.
What is Business Development?
It is defined as “processes and activities concerned with analytical preparation for probable growth opportunities, which does not entitle decisions regarding strategy for implementation of growth opportunities but supports the strategy for implementing growth opportunities. ”
The basis of Business Development is about creating long-term value or a long-term positive image of an organization in the minds of customers, stakeholders, markets, and so on. The process of business development is all about identifying these interconnected networks, which will create new growth opportunities.
Long Term Value
Business Development Strategies are not about creating values that will vanish in a matter of seconds. It is all about creating suitable opportunities for that specific goodwill to retain for a long period of time. The concept is that the gates should be open so that there is a free flow of values. Stabilizing the business development platform by strengthening the long-term value is the only way to organizational growth.
History of Business Development Strategies
The term Business Development Strategies has evolved into several applications and usage in practical life. In this age, the tasks of business developers are very varied and interesting. It has a wide application group, from IT professionals to engineers, from marketing management to prospective clients. Recent research has pointed out the correlation between emerging business development solutions to an innovation management process. The business development function has evolved into a more matured, highly technical function, especially true in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industries. History specifies that business development can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution period.
Sales vs Business Development Strategies
It should not be confused with sales. The process of sales is based on driving revenue or the generation of profits. The sole intention of sales is the handover of items, thereby maintaining a profit margin. On the other hand, business development identifies and creates new partnership avenues that help indirectly to drive revenue. The sales function deals only with the output, whereas the business development process deals with the entire journey.
Business Development Strategies is essentially a marketing function, though it involves minor sales skills like negotiation. Typical goals of business development strategies include market expansion, brand projection, new client acquisition, general awareness about a brand, etc.
The function of sales is to sell products or services directly to the end-user or client. Simultaneously, the function of business development strategies is working through the channels or partners to make sales happen to clients.
10 Awesome Business Development Strategies
Business development strategies are everywhere, and lots and lots of ideas are there which can be exploited on a commercial basis. These fresh ideas can be harvested, launched and thereby marketed properly. Anyone can get awesome ideas at any point in time. Ideas can be large, small, big. Ideas are usually driven by a passion for one’s area of interest. A new idea may be borne from an existing situation or from the innovative mind of a thinker. The business owner can also observe two different disciplines and blend them smoothly, giving birth to a new business innovation field.
1. Recruit the right personnel at the right time
A person can have a great degree of knowledge and a strong network that is eager to close deals with clients. But it can be harmful to a company’s well-being. Sometimes the marketing team emphasizes only on lowest prices. They forget to pay attention to engineering and quality aspects. This casts an ill effect on the company’s reputation. The effect will depend on the company’s life cycle. There are three life stages in a company’s life, and not every employee is suited for every stage. The three life stages are-
- Scouting– This is the preliminary stage of a company. At this stage, business development deals with the identification of various entry points to the market. Various leverage points are identified, and the concerned internal team is provided with feedback on market analysis. The key skill involved here is collaborative work with the product and engineering teams.
- Testing-At this stage, the business developer will close a few open deals to test the market’s assumptions and input various findings. Analytical skillsets for setting up a measurement framework is required. The framework will depend on the company’s mission, strengths, and vision.
- Scaling– After the data is gathered from each and every deal, a path is laid down for goal fulfillment. After this, business development is all set to start closing deals. An entire support system for future activities is created.
2. Look for the right opportunity
The contacts with whom you are dealing must be cross-checked as well. Dealing with the right person is very important. This practice leads to unwanted wastage of time. It is essential to identify potential clients with whom you can do business. Scanning the market for fruitful associations is vital before starting to deal with prospects. If this step is omitted, you will find that you are already drained out, yet no positive associations have been made. Focus on those clients who actually matter to your business rather than digging your head into unwanted ones.
3. Stop talking too much
When you are speaking for more than 50 percent of the time, you are actually talking 10 times excess. Your job is not to blurt out everything but to understand and probe the client’s perspective, his problems, issues, type of work done, time taken, etc. Be an active listener if you really want to develop your business. You will always be a favorite vendor in a competitive economy if you hone your listening skills.
4. Focus on your client’s requirement
Don’t present what you are offering. Present what the client needs. Do not talk about your offerings; instead, listen carefully to the client’s requirements and preferences. If you listen carefully to your clients, you can modify your own pitch to match the client’s requirements, which in turn increases client satisfaction rates. Always pay keen attention to the client’s issues to customize your offerings as per their needs. If a client fails to get what he desires, then the chances of doing business with him are minimized. He will not select you as his business partner and will instead look for other prospective partners.
5. Be Important
It is a well-known idea that important people love to deal with other important people. Be active within your business associations. To be part of those organizations that fulfill your business needs and where you can interact with prospective clients. You can offer volunteer services to industry experts to gain visibility as well as to capture high-value targets. You can climb the corporate ladder to gather the desired prestige in your concerned industry. If you succeed in doing so, successive orders are bound to flow in your company. Remember, people like to deal with the creamy layer or the winners in their respective areas of expertise.
6. Main motto: Client Satisfaction
There is nothing in the world that is worse than a furious client. Not only it spoils your relationship of yours with the client, but it is also harmful to your company’s reputation. Forget about everything else and fix your client’s problems first. Suppose you take quick action once your clients complains about an issue; you will make an enthralling impression on your client. You will get applause from your client, and your name will be circulated to your industry members. Remember to practice empathy when dealing with clients. Place yourself in your client’s position and feel his problem. By doing so, you will be effectively nurtured in your business.
7. Provide excellent service
After you successfully influence your clients and get business from them, it is time to make them happy with your amazing services. Stick to the deadlines fixed with your clients. Be a perfect guide throughout the whole process. If you succeed in making your clients satisfied, they will be offering you repeat business and new business opportunities. Who knows, you may be rewarded with something exceptionally good.
8. Qualitative vs Quantitative approach
Many businesses focus purely on qualitative business value propositions and give less importance to other factors. But this is not a wise idea. This plan has a high probability of failure and is quite difficult to achieve. There is also a minimal probability of the market paying higher for a premium service. The market is not ready to spend extra bucks even if they get improved user experiences and better services. As a result, the quantitative aspect of the business increases the chances of success. Creating competitive lowest prices will surely attract more clients. This, in turn, will maximize your revenue generation.
9. Stop saying: I don’t have any time
Time management is a crucial skill that every business owner needs to know. It is all about prioritizing work. Important work needs to be done first, and less important jobs can be done later. You can also have a great business idea in the silliest of times. Managing your time wisely is one of the most crucial tasks, especially when you are a business start-up. Balancing time between operational activities and business development activities is an art that you need to master. This can be done only when you spend less time on useless stuff and allocate more time to vital tasks.
10. Innovation at its best
Innovation is the best way to be at the top of the competition. When you offer your clients something unique, then there is a high probability that your client will do business with you. Everyone prefers products or services that are new to the market. So why don’t you go out of the box and have some awesome ideas? Offer your clients something which no one is offering. Innovation may involve new methods, ideas, workflows, and process flows which will be beneficial for companies.
The role of business development Strategies is extremely crucial in the first stages of a new business. This phase decides the fate of your business. If you do it well, you will taste success sooner or take your business in a downward direction. You need to identify the winning concepts for your business. You have to brainstorm ideas to be successful in developing your business. Start looking for new niches for promoting your products or services. You can also apply your skills to a new field which can be beneficial. You can also search for existing product lines and offer a cheaper version of the same product. When you are doing a mix and match of ideas, it won’t disappoint you in achieving your goals. Just be confident and be ready to RULE the world!
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