Business Development Manager Jobs
Companies that settle into a comfortable place with their existing clients can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by a fast-changing world, especially when those clients move on. The business development manager (BDM) is there to identify potential openings and chase them up to win new, sustainable business for the company.
In many ways, business development manager jobs have similar responsibilities to regular sales jobs, but there are some subtle differences. Sales is a little more short-term, for example, following leads up responsively with an aim to closing the deal. The BDM, on the other hand, has more of a long-term, strategic approach to identifying new opportunities that includes, but is not limited to, individual customers.
The business development manager might therefore be involved with assembling an internal team that’s ready to face emerging challenges before they arrive so they can hit the ground running. That can be through recruitment or training, but with the overall strategic mindset, it can bear fruit for the company in the medium term.
Business Development Manager skills required
Business development managers are strategic thinkers – they are not just thinking about the next client win but are looking months and years ahead to how the industry and the company will look, and how best to manage it.
BDMs will also need to put their sales hat on quite regularly, however. Part of the business’s development is of course winning new contracts, so they will need to be able to communicate to other businesses the benefits of partnering with their company, so they will frequently be part of sales pushes and wooing new customers.
Business Development Manager Jobs in Halifax
A minister town in West Yorkshire, located to the south west of Bradford, Halifax is a good choice for those seeking Business Development Manager opportunities.
From the 15th century, the town was an important location for the manufacture of wool and cloth. The textile industry continued to thrive through the 19th century, although most of the wealth that came to the town during this period was derived from cotton instead of wool.
In 1853, a building and investment society was formed in the city, which would later become known as the Halifax bank. It's now part of the Lloyds Banking Group and operates mainly from London.
Halifax has also been known for its confectionary production since the late 1890s when John Mackintosh and his wife started selling toffee from a shop in the town centre.
The business quickly expanded and resulted in a number of brands that are still popular today, such as Rolo, Toffee Crisp and Quality Street. Now owned by Nestle, which is based in York, a factory continues to operate in Halifax, churning out millions of tasty treats every year.
Today, the town's economy is mainly based in the retail and service sectors. A number of large business parks have been developed in the region - such as Dean Clough, which is located on the site of what was once the world's largest carpet factory. It provides workspace for SMEs and larger organisations ranging from IT and media companies, as well as financial services and healthcare facilities.
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Talk to Cast UK if you’re a BDM (or if you need one)
Great Business development managers have never been in such high demand, as competition for clients and a rapidly changing workplace is driving all industries in new directions. If you’ve been looking for a BDM but have been disappointed with the calibre of candidates, you need to talk to Cast UK.
We specialise in managerial roles across sectors, and can get you a fantastic shortlist drawn from all over the UK. Call 0333 121 3345 to speak to a recruitment expert.
Are you a talented BDM looking to fill a position with a great employer? Register with Cast UK by following the link below. We’ve got the contacts you need to make that step.
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