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Personal Development Plan for a Career in (Business Development Manager)

AJIBOLA OLUSEGUN EMMANUEL (24045661)

Northumbria university, London Campus

LD7201 Academic and Employability Skills

Zahirra Dayal

13th January, 2025

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Table of Content

Part 1: Academic Report .……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Employment Opportunities …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Enterprenuerer Opportunities ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

Skills and Knowledge ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

Challenges…………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

Part 2: Self Analysis and Action Plan ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Self-Analysis ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8

Stenght &Weakness………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Action Plan ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

Networking abilities skills………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

Competency……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

Sales pitch Techniques…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10

References ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10

Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13

A Portfolio 1 ……………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

B Portfolio 2 …….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
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C Portfolio 3 ..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15

D portfolio 4 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

Part 1- Academic Report

Name OLUSEGUN AJIBOLA Student ID 24045661

Group 13 Tutor ZAHIRRA DAYAL

Employment and Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Business Development Managers

Introduction

The Business Development Manager is not only about finding new opportunities but building

meaningful and value-driven relationships that would provide a company with a sound base for future

long-term growth. In this regard, deep market understanding, close monitoring of emergent trends, and

the selection of the best way of outreach for potential clients is crucial for effective work, as was stated

by Kotler & Keller (2021).

A BDM has to notice such new opportunities, develop their further growth, and help the firm be

at par in the turbulent changes that happen every time in a market environment (Homburg et al., 2021).

Accordingly, I establish and maintain the long-term success position of the enterprise to keep abreast

with the times amidst continuous transformation occurring day by day (Sharma & Lassar, 2021).

Purpose of This Project

The project, therefore, has sought to map various employments and entrepreneurial

opportunities available for BDMs, study the skills and responsibilities that an occupation demands,
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investigate sectors or areas within which the use of their expertise could gainfully be applied, or

entrepreneurship transitions successfully made.

Why This Project Matters

An overview of the key opportunities available to the BDMs-whether corporate or as

entrepreneurs-allows bringing out what skills a person needs to have to succeed in both arenas.

Structure of the Project

Employment Opportunities

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Skills Required Challenges

Roles and Responsibilities of BDMs

Employment Opportunities: The BDM identify new or existing market and conduct thorough research

on market trends and identify unmet needs by building and developing better relations with prospective

client in other to increase revenue generation and facilitate business expansion. According to- Chris

Grosser "Opportunities don't happen, you create them”. These opportunities can be find in the

following sector

Technology and Software Industries: The BDM identifies new markets, develops better relations,

and controls the sales of software, IT services, or SaaS platforms.

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Consulting and Research Firms: BDM in consulting firms attract new business by first identifying

their needs and then providing practical solutions while developing long-term relationships.

Engineering and Manufacturing Companies: BDMs seek out new customers and make sure the

products being developed meet market demand.

Medical Field: BD can be termed as "the pharmaceuticals health technology and service,

participating, and developing it for the good of the patient and their provider."

Entrepreneurial Opportunities: BDM look out for promising or favorable opportunities or

situation to create business or offer extension on existing product or services. McGrath and

Venkatarman (1994) suggest that entrepreneurs start new business or expand into new markets when

they see an opportunity to redeploy resources to more promising areas.

Meredith (1992) sees entrepreneurs as people who have the ability to see and evaluate business

opportunities to gather the necessary resources to take advantage of them and to initiate appropriate

action to ensure success.

Hisrich and Peters (2002) see entrepreneur as a person who searches for change, who responds to the

change and who exploits the change as an opportunity. They, thus see the entrepreneurs as someone,

who is proactive, unassuming and ready to move at the slightest opportunity, who pursues the

opportunity and brings together all factors of production to make profits

To identify these opportunities it require observation, critical thinking and creativity skills in other to

make informed decisions, make strategic move towards the opportunity, manage resources effectively,

overcome challenges, and ultimately build sustainable and profitable business. These opportunities can

be identify in the following

1. Franchisee Business Ownerships

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Franchising - tested and proven very lucrative business module for BDMs. Example of industries:

Quickly serves the restaurant, educational, and home services related businesses.

2. Product-based entrepreneurial ventures

The other big opportunity is initiating a product-based business. The BDM identifies the gaps in

the market and builds products to solve actual problems. A possible example could be consumer goods

or health products.

Skill and Knowledge are needed for the

1. Leadership and Management

A BDM has to lead teams, make strategic decisions, and handle day-to-day affairs.

2. Project Management

This is the most important role that needs to handle multi-projects together. This also requires

immense organizing skill, getting the requirement so that the deadline is met.

Challenges before BDM's

1. Dynamic Market Environment

The markets change from time to time, and BDMs have to get used to this emergence of

challenges. It can be strategy changes because of economic shift, emerging technologies, or new

competitors.

2. Market Structure

The market structures, at times, come out to be very intricate, and that too when one is highly

regulated, say for instance in the field of health care or finance.

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Conclusion

BDMs are the wheels of growth of any company upfront by identification, strategy, and

relationship building. Be it working in a company or starting their ventures, the success mantra

of a BDM always lies in skillsets such as lucid communication, creative problem-solving, strong

leadership, and deep market intelligence.

Part 2 -Self Analysis and Action Points

Self-Analysis simply means accessing who I am, by identifying my strength and weakness in order to

develop my identity, improve my performance and means of using my strength and weakness to my

advantage for the purpose of achieving my goals. Self-analysis involves introspection, allowing

individuals to reflect on their lives, feelings, and creative expressions. This process is vital for

understanding personal identity, as seen in the works of Tagore and Nanda Kaul.

Strengths: The success of my business rely on identifying my core strength to develop the product and

services. The following strength skills will ensure my business thrive and achieve the set goals

Problem Solving: According to Hans Heekens and Arnold van Winden (2021) problem solving is

not stringently rigid but a framework for people to fill in because people need it. It allows people to

reach solutions of managerial problems in various situations without needing too much complicated

prior knowledge. Hence, it is not stringently rigid but rather a flexible framework which people can mold

as per their needs.

Principles of good communication skill: good communication is actually building up good

relation with clients and partners to work effectively to achieve business goals has been debated by

Adler & Elmhorst, 2021.

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Changing loss into a win: I believe with each obstacle if apt approach and perseverance is made

then that can be one opportunity for the development and success of my business; Guzmán et al., 2022

Conclusion

Business Development Manager: This is the role that encompasses the very essence of critical

thinking and problem-solving in overcoming the challenges, effective communication to building

relationships, with an appropriate strategy together with resilience that can turn obstacles into great

opportunities-leading to continuous growth and success.

Weakness: I am fully aware of having to improve on particular skills for overall success of the business, I

struggle with the following:

Networking skills: it can be time consuming for me from attending industry event and seminars,

participate in online communities and having to follow up established connections. It is more

challenging for me as an introvert to engage, build and maintain connections

Data Analysis skill: Sometimes, I rely too much on the tools. Data analysis is useful, but

depending on them without getting the fact and understanding the basics behind how they work, it's

easy to make mistakes or fail to spot important details e. g variability of constant results using standard

deviations instead of standard errors of the mean. (Diong et al, 2018)

Technique sales pitch: it require personalized approach and illustrating a story to represent my

product with a lot of follow up to be done which I personally struggle with, having and maintaining a

plan from the initial stage require focus and dedicated strategy.
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Action Plan is needed in order to thrive in my business line and improve my personal growth and

development towards my career goal. Action plan is a step towards change, outlining areas that need

improvement to achieve desired future result and steps to achieve it, with a defined timeframe. Action

plans identify detailed and specific steps that can be implemented to achieve organizational strategic

visions or personal goals (Baker and Taylor, 2007; Monks, 2011). The following points are area that will

enhance my readiness towards achieving my set goals.

Networking abilities skill: as described by scholars such as Wellman et al. (2020) and Hayat et

al. (2020), encompass the capacity to establish, sustain, and use personal networks to

accomplish professional objectives. To establish and sustain personal networks, I Set a date to attend at

least 3 professional networking seminars in the coming 2 months. What matters to me are the

relationship building, and discovery of new opportunities. I'll make sure to listen in for understanding,

let the relationship breathe for the client, and be with the communities, too. As a Business Development

Manager, I will search on relevant Industry event or seminar on LinkedIn that will keep me updated and

guide me, allotting a particular time in my calendar. Success measurement will be considered done if I

attended not less than 3 networking events or seminars

Competency: According to Gary Holmes & Nick Hooper (2000) established that core competency

is one of a range of concepts that deal with the idea of essential skills to support personal development,

employability and socialization. i will participate in Data analysis six weeks training to enhance my

capacity in use decision-making skills that directly touch business growth. As a Business Development

Manager, I will be dedicating 6 hours per week toward the training and commit to a structured schedule

to make sure I will be consistent with my exercise. Success would be quantified for me by the overall

amount of classes that have been accomplished and receiving my certificate, which is a seal that will

indicate my new acquired knowledge.

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Sales Pitch Techniques: Stanford professor Jennifer Aaker said “Stories are remembered up to

22 times more than facts alone” Use storytelling to capture attention early and make my pitch

memorable. I will create a great sales pitch focusing on the customer, participate actively in listening to

their needs and how I can achieve it by designing a product or services that meet their exact need. Also,

establishing and focusing on consumer relationship to further improve the product and services

Academic Integrity Statement

I affirm that this submission is my original work and complies with academic

integrity standards. All sources are properly cited. I did not use AI in completing

this assessment. I have not engaged in academic dishonesty and have taken steps

to ensure the work's authenticity. By submitting, I commit to upholding academic

values of honesty, fairness, and respect

References

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Blythe, J.,&Megicks, P. (2020) Sales management: A global perspective.

SAGE publications.
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Davenport,T.H., & Bean, R (2022). Big data at work: Dispelling the myths,

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strategy and innovation. Business strategy Review,34(2), 56-70

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id=KcvlqQSYM1cC&redir_esc=y [Accessed 23 Mar. 2025]Available at:

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Hayes, A. (2024). What Is a Franchise, and How Does It Work? [online] Investopedia. Available

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Herrity, J. (2023). How to Write an Action Plan to Help You Achieve Your Goals - en_US. [online]

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write-an-action-plan
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krishnan, G. (2021). 15 Chapter 2. [online] Scribd. Available at:

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Highspot. (2021). The Perfect Sales Pitch: Examples, Templates & Best Practices. [online]

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Appendices

Portfolio Task A
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Portfolio Task B

Portfolio Task C
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Portfolio Task D
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