Business Development Executives

Business Development Executive Job Summary The Business Development Executive will focus on customer acquisition, lead generation, and prospect management, as this role will garner and meet with potential clients. The Business Development Executive will research client business referrals, network, and web leads; provide prospective customers/clients with all services offered and additional presentations as needed; and work with clients to create solutions for their needs and consult throughout the sales process. Must be energetic, well-spoken, and eager to close sales and increase revenue.

Business Development Executive Duties and Responsibilities   

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Identifying, qualifying, and securing business opportunities; coordinating business generation activities; developing customized targeted sales strategies Building business relationships with current and potential clients Understanding client needs and offering solutions and support; answering potential client questions and follow-up call questions; responding to client requests for proposals (RFPs) Collaborating with sales and leadership to secure, retain, and grow accounts Creating informative presentations; presenting and delivering information to potential clients at client meetings, industry exhibits, trade shows, and conferences Creating and maintaining a list/database of prospect clients; maintaining database (Salesforce, CRM, Excel, etc.) of prospective client information Cold calling; making multiple outbound calls to potential clients; closing sales and working with client through closing process Meeting all quotas for cold, active, inactive calls, appointments, and interviews; meeting or exceeding annual sales goals. Maintaining a pipeline of all sales administration using CRM software Collaborating with management on sales goals, planning, and forecasting; maintaining short- and long-term business development plans

Business Development Executive Requirements and Qualifications 

Experience with lead generation and prospect management

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills; the ability to call, connect, and interact with potential customers

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Persuasive and goal-oriented

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Possesses an energetic, outgoing, and friendly demeanor

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Able to professionally and confidently communicate with C-Level Executives

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High school degree or equivalent

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Four years of cold calling experience; previous experience in outbound call center, inside sales experience, or related sales experience; knowledge of sales process from initiation to close

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Excellent analytical and time-management skills

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Demonstrated and proven sales results

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Ability to work independently or as an active member of a team

Nice to Have 

Bachelor’s degree preferred

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Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel) and CRM/Salesforce experience preferred

Business Development Responsibilities A business development professional has three primary responsibilities: 1. Identifying new sales leads 2. Pitching products and/or services 3. Maintaining fruitful relationships with existing customers When it comes to generating leads, day-to-day duties typically include: 

Researching organisations and individuals online (especially on social media) to identify new leads and potential new markets  Researching the needs of other companies and learning who makes decisions about purchasing  Contacting potential clients via email or phone to establish rapport and set up meetings  Planning and overseeing new marketing initiatives  Attending conferences, meetings, and industry events When it comes to the challenge of actually selling, other typical duties include:  

Preparing PowerPoint presentations and sales displays Contacting clients to inform them about new developments in the company’s products  Developing quotes and proposals  Negotiating and renegotiating by phone, email, and in person  Developing sales goals for the team and ensuring they are met  Training personnel and helping team members develop their skills To keep healthy relationships with clients, this mostly requires socialisation. So from simple chats on the phone to lunches and events or conferences business development managers must be sure to keep their customers happy. Of course, as with all office jobs, documentation is also a big part of the work. Business development professionals are also obligated to write reports and provide feedback to upper management about what is and is not working.

Business Development Executive Skills To be an effective business development executive, an individual must be:   

Socially adept Good with numbers Able to provide quality leadership to a large team of sales people The skills you need to excel in this position include:       

Strong communication and IT fluency Creative talents and the ability to solve tough problems In-depth knowledge of the industry and its current events The ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines Skill in prioritizing and triaging obligations Attention to detail Excellent time management and organisation

Business Development Challenges Business development executives face a number of challenges in their work. These includes:     

Managing underperforming team members Suffering from downturns in the industry and/or economy Losing clients to superior competitors Responding to negative press about the company and/or products Dealing with customers unsatisfied with the quality of the product or service