Aspects to contribute to the growth of a Business Development Manager

I think that Business Development Manager is like no other jobs in an IT company. Together with the company`s executives, you make the business grow and promote the company's values.

If you would like to start a career as BDM or if you are looking for new challenges, I hope some remarks that I`d like to share can be helpful.

1.If you decided to become a Business Development Manager, don`t care too much about the salary first. You will grow professionally in the right atmosphere surrounded by the right people.

I definitely was lucky:) At the beginning of my career, I faced a lot of challenges. The tasks that were given to me seemed too hard and I always felt a lack of professional skills. But this became a huge motivation for me. I am very thankful for being surrounded by the support and inspiration of my passionate colleagues.

It is an amazing feeling when you are on the same page with people around. When knowledge sharing is highly welcomed. When you feel that everyone values your opinion, no matter what your seniority level is.

When the personalities matter.

2. Learn more about the company`s vision and mission. Don`t be afraid to ask top management about the processes, their expectations of you and the perspectives you have.

The miscommunication at the very beginning may lead to mutual dissatisfaction.

The company can be great, the tech also can be high-level. But if it is just not your cup of tea — how are you supposed to contribute to the development of the company with dedication and passion?

I believe the most important thing is that you need to figure out is: does the approach of doing business, collaboration with clients fit your own vision?

For instance, if you like to solve business problems, to dive into the Business Analysis together with the client, then it is worth looking for a job place where such skills are needed.

When you are at a crossroads, networking is a remarkable opportunity to learn more about others and yourself personally. Once I attended a business camp for Ukrainian software development companies` owners and business managers. I met a lot of great entrepreneurs there — all of them with a unique success story, different background. While communicating with them I analyzed and assured of several important aspects for me that I`d always like to stick to.

Furthermore, it is worth paying attention to your desire to pioneering. If you aim to get more freedom and implement some of your ideas, make sure that the company is interested in that and can give you the freedom.

3. Business Development is not about sluggish processes. It is about continuous changes, improvements and learning.

If you always feel that you don`t know enough — this is fine. Because in the IT business things can dramatically change in a moment.

Like when the pandemic hit. Then I used to handle business trips mostly. In the realities of the lockdown, all the business managers contributed to finding new challenges and new approaches to business development.

Also, BDM is about decision-making.

You may have a great mentor, but dealing with clients means that every case is unique. There are no right answers or a repetitive pattern you may follow.

The inner sense and the real-life experience, of course, are things that may guide you best.

Thanks a lot to everyone who read this! Feel free to get in touch with me, it would be a pleasure to hear your story and share thoughts.