How to Successfully Navigate Your First 90 Days as a Business Development Manager

Starting a new role as a Business Development Manager (BDM) can be both exciting and challenging. The first 90 days are particularly critical as they set the tone for the rest of your tenure at the company. During this period, you need to learn the ropes, make meaningful connections, develop a strategy, and keep your eyes on the ball. In this article, we’ll share some practical advice on how to make the most out of your first 90 days as a Business Development Manager.

1. Get to Know Your Company

As a BDM, your job is to drive revenue growth by identifying opportunities and closing deals. However, before you can do that effectively, you need to understand your company’s products or services, your target customers, your unique selling proposition (USP), and your competition. Spend time studying your company’s website, brochures, and marketing materials to get a sense of what the company is all about. Attend team meetings and ask questions to learn more about the company culture, vision, and goals. The more you know about your company, the better equipped you’ll be to sell its products or services.

2. Build Relationships with Key Stakeholders

In your first 90 days, it’s essential to build relationships with key stakeholders in your company. These include your boss, colleagues, and team members in other departments, such as marketing, product development, and customer service. Building strong relationships with these individuals will help you navigate the political landscape of the organization, identify opportunities for collaboration, and get the support you need to succeed.

3. Develop a Sales Strategy

As a BDM, your primary responsibility is to generate revenue for your company. To do that, you need to develop a sales strategy that aligns with your company’s goals and your target customers’ needs. This strategy should include identifying your ideal customer profile, developing a sales funnel, setting sales targets and KPIs, and creating a sales pitch that resonates with your target customers. Your sales strategy should evolve over time based on feedback and results.

4. Focus on Metrics

In the first 90 days, it’s crucial to focus on metrics that matter. These can include sales conversion rates, deal size, sales cycle length, and customer acquisition costs. Tracking these metrics closely will help you identify areas where you need to make improvements and measure your progress against your goals. Additionally, be sure to communicate your progress to your boss and team members regularly. This will help build credibility and trust with your colleagues.

5. Learn from Experienced BDMs

One of the best ways to learn how to be a successful BDM is to learn from those who have already done it. Take the time to seek out and connect with experienced BDMs in your industry or company. They can provide valuable insights into the challenges you may face, the mistakes to avoid, and the best practices to implement. Additionally, they may be able to introduce you to potential partners or customers.

Conclusion

The first 90 days as a Business Development Manager can be daunting, but by following the guidelines outlined above, you can set yourself up for success. Remember to focus on building relationships, developing a sound sales strategy, tracking metrics closely, and learning from experienced professionals. If you can do all of these things, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals and driving revenue growth for your company.

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