What is the evolution of business development like? Augusto Vianna talks about the evolution of the field in the Let’s Talk BD Podcast Ep.6.
[embed]https://youtu.be/l52PKktQVO4[/embed]
Business development as a field has gone through many changes throughout the years. Business developers didn’t work the same way as they do today.
The majority of tasks and activities haven’t changed. But, business development today is more sophisticated, expansive, and a core function in smaller and bigger enterprises alike.
In the sixth episode of the Let’s Talk BD Podcast, we chat with Augusto Vianna. Augusto is currently a mentor at The BD School. He also does consulting for companies in Brazil to help them scale their businesses.
So, if you want to learn what business development was like a few years ago and what its current state is, keep on reading.
Evolution of business development: Career Journey
If you ask business developers how they started their career in business development, many of them will have different reasons and many personal and professional motivations.
A similar story is that of Augusto’s. He worked in IT for a couple of years, which led him to a business development position. He mentions that business skills are essential for success, both in the personal and professional sphere. In particular, skills such as finance can help us in life, but also in how we conduct business.
Getting an education in economics has greatly helped Augusto run his business successfully. Specifically, in regard to the financial management aspect of it.
Evolution of business development over the years
If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed is the lack of clarity on the definition of business development. Companies train their employees to ensure they succeed with their tasks. However, many business development professionals still struggle to narrow business development down to a single definition.
One definition of business development we use at The BD School is the following:
Business development is a set of tasks and processes meant to implement growth opportunities in a sustainable and profitable way.
There are many new aspects of business development today. One of them is the integration of digital tools. Social media has enabled business developers to increase brand visibility and awareness, and generate more leads.
Technology hasn’t only impacted task completion processes but also the location of where business developers work. Today, they don’t have to be in an office space to do their work. They can work remotely from anywhere.
The lack of training and courses available to learn new skills and business knowledge was a defining pattern of business development in the past. Today, access to information has never been easier. With one Google search, business developers can find courses and programs that improve their performance.
Business developers in the past were less efficient when it came to qualifying leads and opportunities. Augusto points out that this, in fact, was one of his main career mistakes. Another important lesson to consider is to have a track record of both successes and failures.
What hasn’t changed?
The sales cycle continues to be equally important. The main difference is that companies now prioritize different aspects of the sales cycle such as research, opportunity identification, lead generation, or deal closure.
Additionally, Augusto mentions that the skills and pillars of business development haven’t changed. This includes having a growth mindset, keeping customers happy, and resource organization. Some of the skills that have always been essential for success are communication, collaboration, and persistence.
One of the main strategies used in the past that can still work today is what Augusto calls “being lucky” or “being prepared”. What this translates to is doing market research and understanding customer pain points and needs. And also, having a detailed overview of the competitive landscape.
Tips for aspiring business developers
Success in business development depends on learning, knowing how to get back up after a failure, and being consistent with your work. So, preparing beforehand is one of the best tips to remember that can make things go smoother.
There are other tips that business developers can use in their work. Augusto advises joining network groups, consuming online content such as podcasts, or joining a mentorship program. It’s a widely-accepted fact that mentors can be a guiding force to solve your business problems. They turn your business development journey into a positive experience where you don’t have to rely solely on what you already know and do.
Sharing knowledge and experience can lead to great results. In Augusto’s words, try to create a network with like-minded professionals. Also, never be afraid of failure.
“If you win, you win. If you fail, you don’t lose.
If you fail, you learn.”
Augusto Vianna
This quote highlights an important aspect of being successful in business development: having a growth mindset. So, believe in yourself and know that failure is temporary. Don’t let it dictate your productivity.
More takeaways:
- Using LinkedIn for business development
- Research as a crucial skill
Want to learn business development and achieve your business targets faster and easier?
Sign up for our personalized learning platform and become a business development pro!
What is the evolution of business development like? Augusto Vianna talks about the evolution of the field in the Let’s Talk BD Podcast Ep.6.
[embed]https://youtu.be/l52PKktQVO4[/embed]
Business development as a field has gone through many changes throughout the years. Business developers didn’t work the same way as they do today.
The majority of tasks and activities haven’t changed. But, business development today is more sophisticated, expansive, and a core function in smaller and bigger enterprises alike.
In the sixth episode of the Let’s Talk BD Podcast, we chat with Augusto Vianna. Augusto is currently a mentor at The BD School. He also does consulting for companies in Brazil to help them scale their businesses.
So, if you want to learn what business development was like a few years ago and what its current state is, keep on reading.
Evolution of business development: Career Journey
If you ask business developers how they started their career in business development, many of them will have different reasons and many personal and professional motivations.
A similar story is that of Augusto’s. He worked in IT for a couple of years, which led him to a business development position. He mentions that business skills are essential for success, both in the personal and professional sphere. In particular, skills such as finance can help us in life, but also in how we conduct business.
Getting an education in economics has greatly helped Augusto run his business successfully. Specifically, in regard to the financial management aspect of it.
Evolution of business development over the years
If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed is the lack of clarity on the definition of business development. Companies train their employees to ensure they succeed with their tasks. However, many business development professionals still struggle to narrow business development down to a single definition.
One definition of business development we use at The BD School is the following:
Business development is a set of tasks and processes meant to implement growth opportunities in a sustainable and profitable way.
There are many new aspects of business development today. One of them is the integration of digital tools. Social media has enabled business developers to increase brand visibility and awareness, and generate more leads.
Technology hasn’t only impacted task completion processes but also the location of where business developers work. Today, they don’t have to be in an office space to do their work. They can work remotely from anywhere.
The lack of training and courses available to learn new skills and business knowledge was a defining pattern of business development in the past. Today, access to information has never been easier. With one Google search, business developers can find courses and programs that improve their performance.
Business developers in the past were less efficient when it came to qualifying leads and opportunities. Augusto points out that this, in fact, was one of his main career mistakes. Another important lesson to consider is to have a track record of both successes and failures.
What hasn’t changed?
The sales cycle continues to be equally important. The main difference is that companies now prioritize different aspects of the sales cycle such as research, opportunity identification, lead generation, or deal closure.
Additionally, Augusto mentions that the skills and pillars of business development haven’t changed. This includes having a growth mindset, keeping customers happy, and resource organization. Some of the skills that have always been essential for success are communication, collaboration, and persistence.
One of the main strategies used in the past that can still work today is what Augusto calls “being lucky” or “being prepared”. What this translates to is doing market research and understanding customer pain points and needs. And also, having a detailed overview of the competitive landscape.
Tips for aspiring business developers
Success in business development depends on learning, knowing how to get back up after a failure, and being consistent with your work. So, preparing beforehand is one of the best tips to remember that can make things go smoother.
There are other tips that business developers can use in their work. Augusto advises joining network groups, consuming online content such as podcasts, or joining a mentorship program. It’s a widely-accepted fact that mentors can be a guiding force to solve your business problems. They turn your business development journey into a positive experience where you don’t have to rely solely on what you already know and do.
Sharing knowledge and experience can lead to great results. In Augusto’s words, try to create a network with like-minded professionals. Also, never be afraid of failure.
“If you win, you win. If you fail, you don’t lose.
If you fail, you learn.”
Augusto Vianna
This quote highlights an important aspect of being successful in business development: having a growth mindset. So, believe in yourself and know that failure is temporary. Don’t let it dictate your productivity.
More takeaways:
- Using LinkedIn for business development
- Research as a crucial skill
Want to learn business development and achieve your business targets faster and easier?
Sign up for our personalized learning platform and become a business development pro!
