Business Development
Let’s get one thing straight. Business Development is not just about Sales or how to sell more widgets.
Yes, Sales is a part of developing your business, and for many businesses and organisations sales is the key to generating revenue which in turn leads to business growth. However in the broader context of managing, growing and developing your business, sales is but one function of many that will impact its success.
Business Development
Business Development includes understanding who and where your market and customers are, who your competition is and what your business proposition is over theirs. And then most importantly, successfully taking that business proposition to the market, in amidst a range of external and internal influences.
Whether you are a new business just starting out or an established business with a proven track record, business development is a key requirement in the growth and sustainability of your business.
In its simplest terms Business development encompasses:
External Focus
- Sales and a defined growth strategy
- Marketing, Advertising and Promotion
- Competitor Analysis
- Market development
- Product and Industry lifecycle
Internal Focus
- Revenue vs Profitability
- Financial management and reporting
- Operational Management
- Staff training and professional development
- Strategic planning
- Understanding and developing exit strategies
Depending on the size and stage of your business each one of the above factors can be a detailed strategy in itself, but it is important that business owners and managers understand, and have a strategy for those factors that impact the growth and development (both positive and negative) of their business.
Although there might be documented industry standards for some sectors, each business will require a unique analysis based on things like time in the market, strength and number of competitors, financial position and the company’s overall strategic objectives.
For some businesses they might already have a goal or objective in a particular area
It might be about securing your share of the current market or developing or changing your business to meet the needs of a new and emerging market segment. It might be about building better relationships with current customers or finding new ones.
It might be about increasing sales, expanding your customer base, developing new products or services, or even moving into an entirely different market segment.
Over time all businesses change, their market changes and your competition will change.