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- A crucial role for any business wanting to grow
- Requires strong communication and networking skills
- Maintain good business-to-business and business-to-consumer relations
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Research organisations and individuals online (especially on social media) to identify new leads and potential new markets
- Research the needs of other companies and learn who makes decisions about purchasing
- Contact potential clients via email or phone to establish rapport and set up meetings
- Plan and oversee new marketing initiatives
- Attend conferences, meetings, and industry events
- Prepare presentations and sales displays
- Contact clients to inform them about new developments in the company’s products/services
- Develop quotes and proposals
- Negotiate and renegotiate by phone, email, and in person
- Develop sales goals for the team and ensure they are met
- Train personnel and help team members develop their skills
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Business development executives usually work in an office, working 9-5, and may occasionally put in overtime hours to meet deadlines or sales quotas.
You'll need
You'll need calmness under pressure, the ability to speak clearly and confidently on the phone, persuasive communication skills, good time management, creativity, and attention to detail. You'll also need basic computer literacy.
You can get into this role through a degree, in subjects like business management, business development, accountancy, economics, or international relations.
Once you've completed a degree, there may be graduate training schemes in business development at a company.
You may also get into a business development executive role through a college course in sales or business. If you've started work in a junior role, you could think about taking qualifications like a Level 3 Award in Business Development Skills, or Level 3 Certificate in Sales Management
There are a number of apprenticeships that also may get you into this role, such as a business to business sales professional degree apprenticeship or retail leadership degree apprenticeship.
You could also work your way up from a sales or marketing role by taking further training on the job.
You might be able to apply directly if you have experience in sales, marketing or business management.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could progress to senior development manager or marketing director.
You could also use your skills in sales, marketing and project management to move into other roles, for example a business analyst.