What are the best ways to show leadership and influence in business development?

In my experience; contingencies for delays and/or unanticipated obstacles need to be considered so as to not allow inevitable bumps to create delays that could jeopardize committed timelines. Additionally; maintain transparency with your team along the way to solicit ideas and maintain buy in throughout the project. T.E.A.M.

In addition to this, current era calls for a deep conversation with own team in understanding their purpose and find reasonable connects to the organisation purpose. This enables higher bonding and engagement towards effective realisation of the Vision.

For sure this is the most important aspect to lead and develop business "in theory" but we always miss the "Soul" of it which is the glue that will insure that all stakeholders (means from Chairman down to simple labor) are aligned and united after this vision. All stakeholders should believe in this vision and what will be the purpose for each and every one of them on a personal level. To achieve this , you need to build a genuine culture in the organization that reflects the values of the business and the most important value among the team on all levels is "Trust".

If this it what it takes to show leadership and Influence then the bar really has lowered. Dont get me wrong vision and goals are important yes. But to say it reflect influence and leadership if you can tell others about it. Meh..

By leveraging tools like SWOT or PESTLE analysis, you can gain insights into potential opportunities and threats, which is fundamental for strategic planning. Building genuine relationships, as Taher Dhanerawala mentioned, can foster trust and effective collaboration with clients, colleagues, and partners. Adaptability is key in this field. Being able to realign strategies based on emerging market trends or client needs shows a proactive and strategic approach to business development. Lastly, establishing a feedback loop can provide valuable insights for continuous improvement, ensuring the strategies remain relevant and effective in achieving organizational objectives.

Listening to understand and to learn rather than to respond is a rare, but important ability. As a leader, you should always ask yourself why you hired the people around you. If the answer is that each and every one of them is better in their field than you are, then you have done something right. If that is the case, then you should be asking your team for actual advice rather than confirmation of your own ideas, and value the feedback you get. By involving your team and implementing their ideas, you build real ownership and a sense of belonging that goes way beyond the paycheck.

Listen and ask relevant questions is an underrated skill. But one of the most important ones. Running a business without it? Damn you are missing out.

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” This is an enduring principle captured by #StephenCovey in his timeless book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Truly seek to emphatically understand others.

Listen more and act smartly. When you listen carefully, Your 50% objectives/Questions are solved. As A business Developer, It is your core responsibility to make aware concerned stake holders about successful activities/ failure of the project. Make micro plan to meet timeline of customer project. Reviewing the ongoing project status is also part of communication. Make minutes of meeting, mention open points/close points , assign concerned person name/ department and give deadline.

Asking high gain questions is potentially the most important skill someone can develop for business development. There are several choices you can make here eg. instead of asking why don’t you want to buy this - ask what would prevent you from buying this ? Instead of asking tell me your problems - ask what is your competition doing that you are unable to ? Etc.

If you are not innovating directly as a business developer then probably you should be the trigger for it because a business developer tracks the market through his peripheral vision and is on a constant hunt for new opportunities to grow and to deliver value to its clients.

Business development is pure creative innovation. You should be resilient enough to make stronger and stronger the problem-solving approach. Try to recall the attention of your stakeholder on the benefits and the value what you are talking about can bring.

In my opinion, business development, decision-making, and creative innovation go hand in hand. Bold decisions involve defining problems, identifying options, evaluating evidence, planning actions, and executing decisively, with creativity in every step. To foster this further, we should embrace risks, adapt to change with agility, and apply iterative critical thinking while avoiding "paralysis by analysis".

Business Development ist ein dynamischer und kreativer Prozess. Gesch?ftsentwickler müssen über den Tellerrand hinausblicken, neue Ideen generieren und sich an ver?nderte Umst?nde anpassen. Durch diese F?higkeiten zeigen sie ihre Führungsqualit?ten und beeinflussen das Wachstum positiv . ??

Without creativity and innovation, you won't be adapting to the ever-changing business requirements. It's a must to meet the evolving needs of the customers and stay ahead in the competition.

Negotiation and conflict resolution are important and might have to be managed for both internal and external customers. We will need to clearly be able to understand both sides of the coin, and consider 3 main things during conflict resolution. 1. What is the problem or concern? 2. Is the concern raised by the relevant parties are correct? Does anyone has any other views pertaining to the concern? Is that really a concern, or is it a generic problem? 3. What can you do about it? Do we have a solution, or an alternative method to address the issue or mitigate it? If so can we do it? If not, can we live with it, and still continue with the work without any disruptions? Answering these 3 leading questions could help us resolve it.

Relatively matured approach and a calm mind are the foundations for a business development leader to handle negotiations and resolve conflicts amongst the stakeholders of his business. It is a very difficult thing to do and I believe every business development leader keeps on incrementally learning as he progresses his path, to keep his mind calm and to keep his nerves unhindered.

There are 3 things that I have found out very helpful : 1. Listen actively - Set ego aside. Understand all perspectives before asserting your own. 2. Find common ground - Identify shared interests and use those as a platform to build from. 3. Ask clarifying questions - Seek first to comprehend fully. Explore subtleties.

Negotiation and conflict resolution are essential skills in business development, as they facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes. By empathizing with both the business and the customer, you gain clarity on securing deals effectively and earning long-term trust from clients. This trust translates into lasting benefits for both you and your organization.

The ability to negotiate with each stakeholder in your business is a fundamental aspect of leadership. Furthermore, being a good listener is crucial for conflict resolution. The capacity to listen without passing judgment is of utmost importance in resolving disputes and maintaining a harmonious work environment.

What I learned in my career is without team, you don't have direct source of real time experience which drives growth. Without collaboration, there won't be no creativity or innovation.

In business development, it’s not just about working alone. It’s about working together as a team with different functions of your organization and even with people outside it. You need to share information, resources, and feedback, and use the skills and knowledge of others. You should also support and motivate your team members and appreciate what they do. By doing this, you become a leader who encourages teamwork, collaboration, and doing things excellently.

Building a culture of open collaboration and transparency is important. Successful business leaders focus hard on building an open and inclusive culture by enhancing psychological safety in the team.

While a business often begins with the idea of a single person, its growth and success are intrinsically tied to the collaborative efforts of a healthy team. This team is the driving force behind turning that initial idea into a reality and growth of a business. Maintaining a healthy work environment is equally as important as having an innovative product or service. A positive and collaborative workplace fosters employee satisfaction, productivity, and creativity, all of which are essential for achieving business goals and ensuring long-term success. In essence, a great idea can only reach its full potential when cultivated within a supportive and collaborative team in a positive work environment

Collaboration will always prevail. It’s important to understand that collaboration doesn’t mean everyone agrees with one another. “Yes” men and women do nothing other than stoke egos. Real collaboration is when we find a common ground. That common ground is more solid when through the collaboration we are creative as well as constructively dissatisfied. That is where the gold is. Today, look at your environments where you collaborate. If all you hear is “yes” you aren’t going to find the real gold.

Breaking down some primary components of B.D. Business Development is primarily about building relationships… Building strong relationships is about developing and establishing trust… Building trust is about following up, being respectful and professional… This way B.D. also stands for “Building Deals” Want to build more deals? Follow up, be “professionally persistent”, listen more than you talk - practice the golden rule…

Leading by example. If you want your colleagues act honestly and committed with the job, the leader is the first one to do it, all times, no exception.

In my opinion, business development is a challenging yet fulfilling field that necessitates continuous learning and advancement. It's crucial to understand your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and actively solicit feedback and advice from others. Being proactive in enhancing your skills, knowledge, and competencies, as well as investing in your personal and professional development, is key. These actions demonstrate leadership and influence by showcasing your dedication, adaptability, and potential for growth.

In the fast-paced world of business development, leaders continuously invest in their own growth. They lead by example in seeking feedback, accepting challenges, and proactively developing their skills. By demonstrating a commitment to their own personal and professional development, they inspire others to do the same, thus solidifying their role as influential thought leaders in the field.

The teams I lead know that I live by the adage #everydayisaschoolday. For every member of the team. Always. Curiosity is a key ingredient to business success.

Great read. In my experience evolution and execution must be prioritized for Business Development to happen, You can't do one and leave the other. They are necessary elements for rapid growth and success in any business

Strategic Vision: Develop a clear, long-term strategy aligned with company goals, and communicate it effectively. Relationship Building: Forge strong connections with clients, partners, and stakeholders to create collaborative opportunities. Innovation Culture: Foster creative problem-solving and embrace new technologies and trends within your team. Results Focus: Set measurable goals, consistently deliver, and exceed expectations to build a reputation for excellence. Adaptability: Stay agile in a changing landscape, adjust strategies as needed, and inspire confidence in your team and partners.

Attitude, attitude, attitude consistently. Go back to the three basic beliefs. 1. Believe in yourself. 2. Believe in your company/product/service. 3. Believe your customers are better off doing business with you. Carry those 3 beliefs through every thing you do every day.

In a Business Development position, connectedness across the board is key. Yes, relationships are an asset, though not the sole secret weapon. Cultivating genuine + purposeful relationships for the long haul is a good goal to work towards. For me, mass networking- conferences and conventions- are not where it’s at. You can’t really connect with all the other lanyards that have their cup out in these settings. Same goes for the play for pay orgs and awards. Hard pass and it feels sales-y/disingenuous. Definitely not my speed nor approach- it might work for some, in certain sectors, though in general I’ve found it to be a time drain. If that works for you, great, work it - just not my lane. It’s ideal to get real & get in there another way.

In addition to selecting our strategic sweet spot (in order to grow the business), it is crucial to determine what areas our business will not engage in, in order to ensure a clear focus and make decision-making process easier for all employees. It is imperative that we avoid dilution of efforts, as this drains both employees and the company's resources on the wrong endeavors. Simultaneously, the numerous innovative ideas we possess need to transition into implementation phase, as failure to execute agreed-upon initiatives will result in shortcomings in both leadership and business development domains. That would erode the trust of our employees in our collective ability to deliver results effectively.