Business Development Executive
Career information and advice on being a Business Development Executive

A Business Development Executive holds a key position in service-driven companies whose customers are looking for specific benefits.  For example in Insurance companies Business Development Executives are required to explain to customers the choices that are available and the most appropriate policies on offer.

Business Development Executives not only need to possess sales’ skills, but also need to have the ability to provide peace-of-mind and assurance of quality, reliability and honesty to the customer.

The job of the Business Development Executive is to persuade customers to buy what the firm or company is selling by explaining the specific benefits of the company’s products or services. 

In return for selling these products or services the Business Development Executive receives money or any other agreed form of compensation.  Business Development Executives play an important strategic role in communicating between a company and its customers. 

Business Development and the Marketing department often work hand-in-hand.  Other areas of consideration are Product Management, pricing, distribution and budgeting sales versus cost-of-sales.

A successful Business Development Executive needs to have the right mix of interpersonal skills and the motivation to generate new business with little or no help from others.  This is why there tends to be more good sales positions available than there are Business Development Executives to fill them.

Your Functions May include

A Business Development Executive day-to-day functions may include identifying potential customers based on the company’s established criteria. This may involve a ‘cold-call’ after identifying leads and follow these up.

A Business Development Executive will be well versed in the advantages, features and benefits of their company’s products and services. As such they may be required to assist other salespeople or train others to learn your functions.

A key component of being a successful Business Development Executive is the ability to build strong relationships across many business sectors and from all levels of industry. Maintaining a client is far cheaper than continually having to find new ones.

Some travel may be involved in the job of Business Development Executive dependent on the product and whether you are required to see customers face-to-face.