Understanding the Difference Between Business Development and Strategy

Understanding the Difference Between Business Development and Strategy

As businesses grow, it is vital to understand the difference between business development and strategy. While often used interchangeably, they differ significantly in terms of their scope, focus, and approach. In this article, we will delve deeper into understanding the difference between business development and strategy and how they work together to build a successful business.

What is Business Development?

Business development is the process of identifying opportunities and developing relationships that help a business grow. It encompasses several activities, including sales, marketing, partnerships, networking, and customer relations. The primary focus of business development is to expand the business’s market share, increase revenue, and improve profitability.

What is Strategy?

On the other hand, a business strategy focuses on defining a direction for the business to achieve set objectives within a specific timeframe. It involves determining the competitive advantage of the business and aligning it with the market demands to create a sustainable and profitable business model. A strategy takes into account the internal and external environment, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, to guide decision-making related to resource allocation, product development, and market positioning.

How Do Business Development and Strategy Work Together?

Business development and strategy are two interdependent functions that cannot operate effectively without the other. Business development identifies potential growth opportunities, builds a network of contacts, and generates leads that enable the company to enter new markets. On the other hand, strategy provides a framework that guides the development of new business ventures, products, and services within those new markets.

For instance, if a company wants to expand its business into a new market, the business development team will take the lead by researching the potential market and generating leads. Subsequently, the strategy team will analyze the market and determine how the company can position itself to gain a significant market share. The result of this collaboration between business development and strategy is a clear plan for growth that incorporates an understanding of the new market, its requirements, and how the company can leverage its strengths to achieve success.

Examples of Business Development and Strategy in Action

Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods in 2017 is an excellent example of how business development and strategy can work together. Amazon’s business development team spotted an opportunity in the grocery sector, which was untapped, and they seized the opportunity to acquire Whole Foods. Amazon’s strategy team then used the company’s strength in logistics and technology to revolutionize the grocery sector, attracting new customers and increasing revenue.

Another example is the case of Apple’s iPod. In the early 2000s, Apple’s business development team identified an opportunity in the music industry and developed partnerships with music labels, paving the way for the Apple iTunes store. Meanwhile, the strategy team developed the iPod, a device that leveraged the company’s great technological strength, creating a new market for digital music players that disrupted the music industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, business development and strategy are two critical functions that help businesses to grow. Business development focuses on expanding the market share, increasing revenue, and building relationships, while strategy involves determining a direction for the business to achieve specific objectives. These functions are interdependent and work together to create a sustainable and successful business from identifying new opportunities and building relationships to driving innovation, penetrating new markets, and increasing profitability.