Principles Of Business Development For Consultants with Tom McMakin

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In my opinion, the "kiss of death" is carrying the moniker of "business development." My first year as a Vice President of Business Development for a sizeable consulting firm. (300 person) was the worst productivity year of my career. Then, a new box of business cards landed on my desk. The company had changed its logo, so everyone was getting new business cards. The job title on my new cards read, "Vice President" (sans "Business Development"). At subsequent conferences and conventions, the dialogues were more substantive, my qualified leads improved, and so did my close rate. I modified my LinkedIn to reflect the abbreviated title on the business card. When prospects don't view you as "the one who's just mining for a sale" they interface with you like an trusted advisor. Perception is reality! Business Development and Sales are atrocious titles if you're attempting to build trust and offer thought leadership. You still have the same goal. Don't care if you subscribed to that or not. It's my journey and now a successful one.