Business Development Manager

• research and identify new business opportunities - including new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, partnerships, products and services - or new ways of reaching existing markets

• seek out the appropriate contact in an organisation

• generate leads and cold call prospective customers

• meet with customers/clients face to face or over the phone

• foster and develop relationships with customers/clients

• understand the needs of your customers and be able to respond effectively with a plan of how to meet these

• think strategically - seeing the bigger picture and setting aims and objectives in order to develop and improve the business

• work strategically - carrying out necessary planning in order to implement operational changes

• draw up client contracts - depending on the size of company, this task may be completed by someone else or agreements may not be as formal

• have a good understanding of the businesses' products or services and be able to advise others about them

• ensure staff are on board throughout the organisation, and understand the need for change and what is required of them

• train members of your team, arranging external training where appropriate

• discuss promotional strategy and activities with the marketing department

• liaise with the finance team, warehousing and logistics departments as appropriate

• seek ways of improving the way the business operates

• attend seminars, conferences and events where appropriate

• keep abreast of trends and changes in the business world.

• help to plan sales campaigns

• create a sales pipeline

• negotiate pricing with customers, and suppliers in some cases

• increase sales of the business

• carry out sales forecasts and analysis and present your findings to senior management/the board of directors

• develop the business sales and marketing strategy.

BusinessGhana