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Lead Generation

How to Create a Powerful Business Development Plan: 10 Steps to Success

Learn how to craft an effective business development plan with SMART goals, innovative strategies, and practical tips for successful growth.

Sep 13, 2024

Ready to take your business to new heights? A solid business development plan is your roadmap to success. It's not just a fancy document to impress investors; it's your game plan for growth, profitability, and long-term stability.

Ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others struggle? The secret often lies in their approach to business development. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, crafting a well-thought-out plan can make all the difference. It's about setting clear goals, identifying opportunities, and mapping out strategies to achieve them.

So, are you ready to unlock your business's full potential? Let's jump into the world of business development planning and discover how you can create a blueprint for your company's future success.

What Is a Business Development Plan?

A business development plan is a strategic roadmap that outlines your company's growth objectives and the steps to achieve them. It's a comprehensive document that combines elements of marketing, sales, and operational strategies to propel your business forward.

Key components of a business development plan include:

Clear, SMART goals

Detailed target audience profiles

In-depth market research

Funding strategies

Sales and marketing tactics

Operational needs assessment

Your plan serves as a guide for decision-making, resource allocation, and performance measurement. It's not just a static document but a dynamic tool that evolves with your business.

Common misconceptions about business development plans:

They're only for startups: Established businesses benefit equally from regular planning.

They're set in stone: Effective plans are flexible and adapt to changing market conditions.

They're all about sales: While sales are crucial, a comprehensive plan covers all aspects of growth.

When crafting your plan, consider these practical tips:

Start with a SWOT analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Set realistic, measurable goals with specific timelines.

Research your target market thoroughly, including competitor analysis.

Outline your unique value proposition clearly.

Detail your sales funnel and customer acquisition strategies.

Different approaches to business development planning:

Top-down approach: Start with broad company goals and break them down into specific departmental objectives.

Bottom-up approach: Begin with individual team goals and align them with overall company objectives.

Hybrid approach: Combine elements of both to create a balanced plan.

Incorporating best practices:

Regularly review and update your plan (quarterly or bi-annually).

Involve key team members in the planning process for diverse perspectives.

Use data-driven insights to inform your strategies.

Align your business development goals with your company's mission and values.

By creating a robust business development plan, you're setting the stage for sustainable growth and success. Remember, the plan is a tool to guide your efforts, not a rigid set of rules. Stay flexible, monitor your progress, and adjust your strategies as needed to navigate the ever-changing business world.

Key Components of a Business Development Plan

A comprehensive business development plan consists of several essential components that work together to guide your company's growth strategy. Let's explore each of these key elements in detail.

Executive Summary

The executive summary provides a concise overview of your business development plan. It's the first section readers encounter, offering a snapshot of your company's goals and strategies. Here's what to include:

Company mission and vision

Brief description of products or services

Key objectives and growth targets

Overview of market opportunities

Summary of financial projections

Remember, while it's the first section in your plan, it's often best to write it last. This ensures you capture the essence of your entire plan accurately.

Company Description

Your company description sets the stage for the rest of your plan. It's where you tell your company's story and highlight what makes you unique. Include:

Detailed mission statement

Company history and milestones

Legal structure and ownership

Core values and company culture

Unique selling propositions (USPs)

This section helps readers understand your company's identity and what sets you apart from competitors.

Market Analysis

A thorough market analysis demonstrates your understanding of the industry world. It should cover:

Industry size, trends, and growth potential

Market segmentation

Customer needs and pain points

Regulatory environment

Technological factors

Use data and statistics to support your analysis. This shows potential investors or partners that you've done your assignments.

Target Audience

Identifying your target audience is crucial for focused business development efforts. Describe:

Demographic characteristics

Psychographic profiles

Buying behaviors and preferences

Customer personas

The more specific you are about your target audience, the more effectively you can tailor your strategies to reach them.

Competitive Analysis

Understanding your competition is vital for positioning your business effectively. Include:

Direct and indirect competitors

Competitor strengths and weaknesses

Market share analysis

Competitive advantage assessment

Potential threats from new entrants

Use tools like SWOT analysis to provide a comprehensive view of your competitive world.

Sales and Marketing Strategy

Your sales and marketing strategy outlines how you'll reach and convert your target audience. Detail:

Sales process and tactics

Marketing channels and campaigns

Pricing strategy

Customer acquisition and retention plans

Branding and positioning

Be specific about your tactics. For example, if you're focusing on LinkedIn outreach , describe your approach, content strategy, and engagement metrics.

Incorporating tools like Growleady can help streamline your LinkedIn efforts by providing valuable insights and managing your lead pipeline more efficiently.

Financial Projections

Financial projections demonstrate the viability of your business development plan. Include:

Revenue forecasts

Cost estimates

Break-even analysis

Cash flow projections

Funding requirements and sources

Use realistic assumptions and provide both best-case and worst-case scenarios. This shows you've considered various outcomes and are prepared for different situations.

Steps to Write an Effective Business Development Plan

Creating a solid business development plan is crucial for guiding your company's growth and success. Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting an effective plan that'll set you on the right path.

Define Your Business Goals

Start by clearly outlining your business objectives. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example:

Increase revenue by 25% within the next fiscal year

Expand into two new market segments by Q3

Launch three new product lines by the end of the year

When setting these goals, consider your company's current position, resources, and market conditions. Align your objectives with your overall business strategy to ensure consistency and focus.

Conduct Thorough Research

Dive deep into market research to gain valuable insights:

Identify your target audience: Analyze demographics, psychographics, and buying behaviors

Study competitors: Assess their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning

Explore industry trends: Stay informed about emerging technologies and shifting consumer preferences

Use tools like surveys, focus groups, and industry reports to gather data. This research will help you make informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth.

Outline Your Strategy

Develop a comprehensive strategy based on your research:

Choose marketing channels: Select platforms where your target audience is most active

Highlight your unique value proposition: Emphasize what sets you apart from competitors

Align tactics with goals: Ensure each strategy directly contributes to your objectives

For example, if your goal is to expand into new markets, your strategy might include targeted social media campaigns , partnerships with local businesses, or attending industry trade shows.

Set Measurable Objectives

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress:

Revenue targets: Set specific monthly or quarterly sales goals

Customer acquisition cost: Determine an acceptable cost per new customer

Conversion rates: Track the percentage of leads that become paying customers

Use data analytics tools to monitor these KPIs regularly. This allows you to adjust your strategies quickly if you're not meeting your objectives.

Create an Action Plan

Develop a detailed roadmap for implementing your strategies:

Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks

Assign responsibilities to team members

Set deadlines for each task and milestone

Allocate resources effectively

For instance, if your goal is to launch a new product line, your action plan might include steps like market research, product development, testing, marketing campaign creation, and launch event planning.

Remember, your business development plan should be flexible. Regularly review and update it based on your progress and changing market conditions. This approach ensures your plan remains relevant and continues to guide your business towards success.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Business Development Plan

Creating a business development plan is crucial for success, but it's easy to make mistakes that can derail your efforts. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

Overlooking Market Research

Don't skip thorough market research. It's like trying to navigate a new city without a map. Dive deep into your industry, competitors, and target audience. Use tools like Google Trends, industry reports, and customer surveys to gather solid data. This information forms the foundation of your plan, helping you make informed decisions and spot opportunities others might miss.

Setting Unrealistic Goals

Ambitious goals are great, but they need to be achievable. Setting unrealistic targets is like aiming to run a marathon without proper training - you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to create goals that challenge you but remain within reach. For example, instead of "increase sales," aim for "boost monthly recurring revenue by 15% within the next quarter."

Neglecting Financial Projections

Ignoring the numbers is like trying to build a house without a budget. Include detailed financial projections in your plan. This means forecasting revenue, expenses, and cash flow. Use tools like Excel or specialized financial planning software to create these projections. Remember to account for different scenarios - best case, worst case, and most likely - to prepare for various outcomes.

Failing to Define Target Audience

A vague target audience is like casting a wide net in a small pond - ineffective and wasteful. Be specific about who you're targeting. Create detailed buyer personas that include demographics, psychographics, pain points, and buying behaviors. This precision allows you to tailor your strategies and messaging, making your outreach efforts more effective.

Ignoring Competitive Analysis

Overlooking your competition is like playing chess without studying your opponent's moves. Conduct a thorough competitive analysis. Identify your main competitors, their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to analyze their online presence and marketing strategies. This insight helps you differentiate your offering and find gaps in the market you can exploit.

Lack of Flexibility

A rigid plan is like a tree that can't bend in the wind - it's likely to break. Build flexibility into your plan. The business world changes rapidly, and your plan should be able to adapt. Schedule regular reviews (quarterly is a good start) to assess your progress and make necessary adjustments. This agility allows you to respond quickly to market shifts, new opportunities, or unexpected challenges.

Underestimating Resources Needed

Failing to accurately estimate required resources is like embarking on a long journey with a half-empty gas tank. Be realistic about the time, money, and manpower needed to execute your plan. Include a detailed resource allocation section in your plan. Consider using project management tools like Trello or Asana to map out tasks and timelines, ensuring you have the necessary resources at each stage of implementation.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you'll create a more robust and effective business development plan. Remember, the goal is to have a living document that guides your growth efforts, not a static report that gathers dust on a shelf.

Tips for Implementing Your Business Development Plan

Start with small, achievable goals.

Break down your larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach helps you maintain momentum and track progress effectively. For example, if your goal is to increase revenue by 20% this year, set monthly targets that contribute to this overall objective.

Prioritize Relationship Building

Focus on building strong relationships with potential clients and partners. Dedicate time each week for networking activities, such as attending industry events or scheduling one-on-one meetings. Remember, business development is often about creating long-term connections that lead to opportunities down the road.

Leverage Technology

Use customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track leads, manage interactions, and analyze your sales pipeline. Tools like Salesforce or HubSpot can streamline your processes and provide valuable insights into your business development efforts.

Develop a Strong Online Presence

In modern digital era, a robust online presence is crucial. Optimize your website for search engines, create valuable content through blogging, and engage with your audience on social media platforms. This helps establish your brand authority and attracts potential leads.

Carry out a Referral Program

Encourage satisfied clients to refer your business to others. Design a referral program that offers incentives for successful recommendations. This can be an effective way to generate high-quality leads and expand your customer base.

Continuously Educate Yourself

Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and best practices in business development. Attend workshops, webinars, or pursue relevant certifications to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Measure and Analyze Results

Regularly review your key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of your business development strategies. Use data analytics tools to gain insights into what's working and what needs improvement. Adjust your plan accordingly based on these findings.

Foster Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Encourage collaboration between your business development team and other departments like marketing, sales, and product development. This synergy can lead to innovative ideas and more effective strategies for growth.

Be Flexible and Adaptable

While it's important to stick to your plan, be prepared to pivot when necessary. Market conditions, customer needs, and competitive landscapes can change rapidly. Regularly reassess your plan and be willing to make adjustments to stay ahead of the curve.

Focus on Customer Retention

Don't neglect your existing customers while pursuing new ones. Carry out strategies to increase customer loyalty and retention, such as personalized communication, exceptional customer service, and loyalty programs. Retained customers often lead to repeat business and valuable referrals.

Creating a robust business development plan is crucial for your company's growth and success. By following the steps outlined in this guide you'll be well-equipped to set clear goals analyze your market and develop effective strategies. Remember your plan should be adaptable and regularly reviewed. Avoid common pitfalls like neglecting research or financial projections. Carry out your plan strategically focusing on building relationships leveraging technology and measuring results. With a well-crafted business development plan you'll be better positioned to navigate challenges seize opportunities and drive your business forward. Stay committed to continuous improvement and watch your business thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a business development plan.

A business development plan is a strategic document that outlines how a company intends to grow and expand its operations. It typically includes SMART goals, market research findings, and strategies for finance, sales, and marketing. This plan serves as a roadmap for achieving business objectives and adapting to various stages of growth.

Why is market research important in business development?

Market research is crucial because it provides valuable insights into your target audience, competitors, and industry trends. This information helps you make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and develop effective strategies. Overlooking market research can lead to misaligned products or services, ineffective marketing, and missed growth opportunities.

How often should I update my business development plan?

You should review and update your business development plan regularly, ideally every quarter or at least annually. This ensures that your plan remains relevant and adaptable to changing market conditions, internal factors, and new opportunities. Regular updates help you stay on track with your goals and make necessary adjustments to your strategies.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in business development planning?

Common mistakes include overlooking thorough market research, neglecting financial projections, setting unrealistic goals, and failing to adapt the plan as the business grows. Other pitfalls are ignoring customer feedback, underestimating competition, and not aligning the plan with overall business objectives. Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve the effectiveness of your business development efforts.

How can I implement a successful business development plan?

To implement a successful plan, start with achievable goals, prioritize relationship building, and leverage technology. Develop a strong online presence, implement a referral program, and focus on continuous education. Measure results regularly, foster collaboration within your team, be flexible to adapt to changes, and prioritize customer retention. These strategies will help drive growth and improve overall business effectiveness.

What role does technology play in business development?

Technology plays a crucial role in modern business development. It can streamline processes, improve communication, enhance customer experiences, and provide valuable data insights. Leveraging tools like CRM systems, marketing automation, and data analytics can significantly boost efficiency and effectiveness in implementing your business development strategies.

How important is customer retention in business development?

Customer retention is extremely important in business development. Retaining existing customers is often more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Satisfied, loyal customers can become brand advocates, providing referrals and positive word-of-mouth marketing. Focus on excellent customer service, personalized experiences, and continual value provision to improve retention rates and drive sustainable growth.

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How to Write a Business Development Plan: A Step By Step Guide

So we’ve already tackled how to write the infamous business plan , but now that you’re in the growth stage of your business – what’s next?

Many business owners will look to write a business development plan with the aim to make their business better. Running a business is never a stationary job, you constantly have to be looking to grow and improve.

But what exactly is a business development plan and how do you write one? Let’s find out.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

What Is a Business Development Plan?

How to write a business development plan, key takeaways.

A business development plan is a document put together by the business owner with the aim to grow and improve their business. The plan will set goals for growth and explain how you will achieve them.

A business development strategy can have a short-term or long-term focus, or both. They should also be constantly reviewed and revised as things shift and your goals may change.

A health plan is one that builds as your business evolves.

A standard business development strategy can be split up into 6 different sections, each one with a different aim and purpose. These sections are:

You should always be looking to grow your business. In this section, you will identify where growth will come from. For example, whether it’s new product development, adding different services or breaking into new markets. Your main business development goals should always point towards growth.

According to a U.S. Bank study, 82% of small businesses fail because of poor cash flow management and understanding. That’s why it’s vital that you have a constant eye on your funding and your bottom line.

You need to understand how you’ll fund your business development. So in this section, you should lay out your current capital, and how much more you will need to sustain growth.

3. Financial Goals

You should have a good idea of your current revenue, costs and profits. These numbers can then be used as a starting point for setting new, more ambitious revenue goals. This is for when you have expanded and developed your business.

4. Operational Needs

When growing a business, your operational needs will change. For example, what started out as a two-person job can develop into needing a whole team of people. So in this section, you will need to identify what things about your business will need to change to accommodate and promote growth.

5. Sales and Marketing

No business can succeed without a strong and stable sales team and marketing team. As your business grows, so will your sales and marketing needs. So you will need to take the time to figure out your target market and what sales and marketing efforts will promote growth. You should then put all of your focus on those efforts.

It’s vital that your sales process and marketing strategies are strong and sturdy enough to support a growing business.

6. Team Needs

Every strong business needs a strong team around it. When you started your business, it’s likely that you shouldered a lot of the jobs and responsibilities. As your business grows, you’ll soon come to realize that you can no longer do this alone.

So as a business developer, you need to think about what jobs and tasks you are best and most effective at. You should then correctly delegate the other responsibilities to the appropriate team members. This is often a good way to figure out if you have the right team around you. If you dread the thought of offloading tasks to your team, you may not have the trust in your team that you should.

Also Read: Tuckman Theory of Team Development

Business development plans may seem like a relatively daunting task. But once you figure out the basics then they can almost write themselves.

You need to have an open mindset, a realistic approach and the ability to accept some potential failures.

Expanding and developing a business is hard work, but with the right plan in place, you are giving yourself the best chance possible.

Are you looking for more business advice on everything from starting a new business to new business practices?

Then check out the FreshBooks Resource Hub .

RELATED ARTICLES

Your Guide to Business Development Planning

Updated: July 05, 2024

Published: April 04, 2019

Wondering why a marketer is writing about business development? It’s because I’ve learned that business development is more than just a fancy term for sales.

Business development is actually a company-wide strategy that brings every department on the same page — including marketing and sales.

Table of Contents

Business Development Planning

How to develop a business development strategy, business development strategy example.

Business development planning is the process of creating a roadmap for your company’s growth and success. I think of it as a treasure map that lets you navigate the treacherous waters of the business world to find the buried treasure (aka long-term profitability).

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That said, just like in a treasure hunt, you must also perform a series of steps to ensure you end up with a treasure in your hands:

• Market analysis . Research the industry, competitors, and target audience to uncover opportunities and potential challenges.
• Goal setting. Business development planning is incomplete without measurable goals, as the individual department members can’t see where to go without a big, red “X” on the map.
• Strategy development. Create a game plan for reaching your goals, including tactics for marketing, sales, and partnerships.
• Resource allocation. Ensure you have the team, budget, and tools to make your journey a success.
• Performance tracking. To ensure you’re headed in the right direction, check your compass (metrics and KPIs).

While that’s enough of Jack Sparrow — or Captain Jack Sparrow — let’s dig deeper into how to develop a business development strategy.

• Define your business objectives.
• Conduct market research.
• Identify your target customers.
• Evaluate your current position.
• Develop strategies.
• Define tactics and action plans.
• Set metrics and KPIs.
• Allocate resources.
• Implement and monitor.
• Continuously review and update.

1. Define your business objectives.

While you might want to settle with “make more money than last year,” you need to define your wishes into clear objectives to have a shot at achieving them. So, whether your business objective is to reach a revenue figure, develop a new product, or expand into a new geographic region, lay it out.

To come up with clear business objectives, I recommend going SMART :

• Measurable.
• Attainable.
• Time-Bound.

For instance, if you own an ecommerce company, you might define your business objective as: “Increase average order value by 15% in the next six months by implementing a personalized product recommendation system and offering bundled deals.”

If you’re having a hard time coming up with SMART business objectives, I find HubSpot’s free template for SMART goal setting incredibly helpful for getting started.

2. Conduct market research.

You might think that you know your market inside out, but let’s face it — assumptions can be dangerous.

In fact, Amy Kauffman , chief marketing officer at CMO Room , shares that, “The biggest mistake I see companies make when developing their business strategy is not doing enough market research upfront. Many founders are overconfident in their product or idea and assume that if they build it, customers will automatically come."

Put on a pair of X-ray glasses to see what’s really going on beneath the surface. Find out what your customers want, how much potential the target market has, and what your competitors are up to.

At this point, I typically scour industry reports, government statistics, and online databases. If you wish to do the same, here are my recommended sources:

• Industry reports. Check out industry research from Gartner , McKinsey & Company , and Forrester .
• Government statistics. If you manage an American business, I recommend the U.S. Census Bureau , Bureau of Labor Statistics , and Federal Reserve Economic Data for their incredible breadth of insights. Outside the U.S., you can try out location-specific sources, like Eurostat , or global sources, such as World Bank Open Data .
• Online databases. While there are too many online databases to make sense of, I typically look for statistics from our annual reports, like HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report , since our researchers take due care in collecting data. Other than that, I also like eMarketer , Pew Research Center , and Statista .

That said, while these sources should provide most of the data you require, I still recommend using the good old-fashioned method of talking to people. Use surveys or interviews to get inside your potential customers’ heads. Find out what makes them tick, what keeps them up at night, and what they really need.

David Janovic , founder of RJ Living , especially recommends detailed market research for businesses expanding to new markets: “When entering a new market it's definitely crucial to be putting the time and effort into conducting thorough market research — which will help you understand the local landscape, customer preferences, and potential competitors."

Finally, I take all the juicy data and connect the dots to inform my business development strategy moving forward.

3. Identify your target customers.

Once you’ve done your market research homework, it’s time to zero in on your ideal customers. After all, you can’t please everyone.

I recommend creating buyer personas , which are fictional yet realistic representations of your ideal customers based on data. If you have existing buyer personas, update them based on the insights from the market research.

Pro tip: If you don’t have any buyer personas or need to develop another one for a new audience segment, check out HubSpot’s buyer persona generator . It helps you flesh out your target customers' pain points and motivations.

Next, evaluate the market size, growth potential, and opportunity of each buyer persona. See which buyer personas align with your business objectives and prioritize them accordingly.

4. Evaluate your current position.

Now that you have researched the market and the customers, I recommend taking a long, hard look in the mirror to assess your current position and figure out where you stand.

The best way to do this is with the trusty SWOT analysis — a strategic planning technique used to identify a company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats — to help you determine where you’re at in comparison to your competitors.

Kauffman also shares the same opinion: “Competitive analysis should play a central role in developing the business strategy. It's critical to have a deep understanding of the competitive landscape — not just who the players are but their strengths, weaknesses, positioning, and likely moves."

Once I have the data on the competitive landscape, I start filling out a SWOT analysis template :

• Strengths. I start by noting whatever our brand is excelling at (i.e., your competitive advantage). For instance, when it comes to HubSpot, we have a strong brand reputation and a loyal customer base. Plus, our content marketing game is on point as well, with thought leadership pieces.
• Weaknesses. Next up, I highlight the areas where we’re struggling or falling short. For instance, the sheer amount of features in the HubSpot platform might feel overwhelming for new users.
• Opportunities. I look at the market trends, audience segments, and emerging technologies our brand can leverage. For instance, HubSpot benefits from remote work and ecommerce growth.
• Threats. Lastly, I check out competitors, markets, and regulations to identify threats that could potentially derail our success. For example, if there’s an economic downturn, businesses might reduce their spending on martech such as HubSpot.

Pro tip: Remember, SWOT analysis isn't a one-and-done deal. So, even if you conducted a SWOT analysis during the startup stage, I suggest doing it again while developing a business development strategy since businesses evolve, markets shift, and customer preferences change over time.

While SWOT analysis provides a bird’s-eye view of the competitive landscape, I believe you can also find many granular but important details about business by taking a deep dive into your sales funnel, marketing mix, and customer experience.

In particular, you can look for clogs in the sales pipeline where potential customers are getting stuck. Or you can review your marketing efforts and see what’s working and what could be improved. Finally, you could ask customers to identify unmet needs.

5. Develop strategies.

Now it’s time to don your strategy hat and craft effective strategies for each department to drive business growth . While the exact strategy depends on your business and its objectives, here’s how it looks for different departments.

No effective business development strategy is complete without a sales plan . If you’ve already established a sales plan, make sure to unify it with your business development efforts.

Your plan should outline your target audience, identify potential obstacles, provide a “game plan” for sales reps, outline responsibilities for team members, and define market conditions. If you haven’t created a sales plan before, I recommend checking out our free sales plan template .

Besides that, see if you can benefit from any technology improvements in the sales department. For instance, our data shows that 81% of sales professionals found AI to be helpful for reducing manual tasks.

If you equate strategic business development to only sales, you’ll lack a steady sales channel to support your business development strategy.

After all, 96% of leads do their own homework before talking to a sales rep. So, if you don’t have marketing content to attract leads, your well-trained sales professionals end up doing, well, nothing.

According to Kauffman, it's a prevalent issue. “Failing to have marketing expertise at the table from the very beginning, when initially planning and developing the product or business, is another common pitfall. Marketing should not be an afterthought — it needs to be deeply embedded in the overall strategy from day one."

I recommend cooking up some marketing strategies to:

• Resonate with the target audience. Identify appropriate channels, customize messaging, and personalize content to develop a marketing mix that aligns with the target customers’ preferences and behaviors.
• Educate the audience. Don’t assume everyone will immediately “get” it. Instead, use marketing to attract, engage, and explain what you offer.
• Increase brand visibility. Up to 71% of prospects prefer doing research independently without talking to a sales professional, so I recommend using search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing to build a trustworthy brand.

Customer Success

While it might appear that business development means getting more customers, it doesn’t have to be the case. You can also get more business from your existing customers since you’ve already earned their trust. In fact, our data shows that 72% of a company's revenue comes from existing customers.

While there are several ways to gain customers' trust, I recommend establishing a personal connection instead of relying on coupons, discounts, or free perks.

For instance, you can listen to customers’ feedback and improve your product to fully win them over to your side.

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Paul L. Gunn Jr. , founder of the KUOG Corporation , agrees, saying that the “heartfelt action to go beyond the transactional to deliver a solution that speaks to the intangibles anchors them to often support a long-term relationship and make significant tangible impact."

6. Define tactics and action plans.

Once you’ve got your strategies in place, it’s time to get tactical. I recommend you start with identifying key initiatives and projects that will bring your strategies to life.

If you’ve already filled out our free sales plan template , your sales team will be well and ready. If you haven’t, start doing so by assigning roles, tasks, and responsibilities to everyone on the team. For fleshing out your marketing strategy, I like using HubSpot’s free marketing plan template .

If you like to work without a template, ensure your action plans include information on the following:

• Tasks. Let the team members know what they’re responsible for, who the lead is, and what’s required of them.
• Timeline. Instead of going with “we'll get it done when we get it done,” set realistic milestones and deadlines for each initiative to keep everyone on track and accountable.
• Budgets. Since money doesn’t grow on trees, you need to be smart about where you allocate your resources. Instead of blowing your entire budget on a flashy marketing campaign, put money into initiatives that will truly move the needle.

7. Set metrics and KPIs.

If you can’t track your progress, you cannot know if your business plan for development is working. That’s why setting clear metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) is so important — it’s basically a scoreboard for your business development efforts.

To start, identify the specific metrics that align with your business objectives and strategies. I usually find the following metrics incredibly insightful:

• Customer acquisition cost (CAC) . CAC tells you how much you’re spending to attract new customers. By optimizing your marketing and sales, you can lower your CAC.
• Conversion rate. Conversion rate measures the effectiveness of different marketing and sales processes, such as how many customers took a desired action.
• Win rate . Unlike conversion rate, win rate deals only with sales opportunities. It’s a percentage of how many sales opportunities your sales team successfully closed — which provides insights into your sales progress.
• Net promoter score (NPS) . NPS measures customer satisfaction with your brand or how likely they are to recommend your brand to others.
• Customer lifetime value (CLV) . CLV, also called LTV, helps businesses understand the total revenue they can expect from a single customer.

Gauri Manglik , CEO of Instrumentl , especially recommends tracking LTV to SaaS companies: “The key is that LTV captures both revenue and engagement over time, not just a snapshot. So rather than looking at new sales in isolation, I always encourage SaaS companies to make LTV their north star metric for business development.”

Pro tip: After identifying the relevant metrics or KPIs, you can also set SMART goals for each to make tracking easier. Plus, you can create dashboards to visualize the progress against the KPIs. It’ll make it easy for team members to see how they’re doing and what they need to improve.

8. Allocate resources.

While I’ve already mentioned resource allocation during action plans, you must also approach resource management in a big-picture mode to execute your business development strategy seamlessly.

I recommend prioritizing the initiatives based on their potential impact and alignment with your business objectives. In other words, focus your resources on the areas that give you the most bang for your buck.

Beyond that, you must also take a hard look at your current resources. If you have any gaps in skills, expertise, or technology, fill those gaps first — by hiring new talent, investing in training, or getting a new tool.

For example, 63% of sales leaders share that AI makes it easier for them to compete with other businesses, so you might also improve your sales metrics by adopting an AI-powered sales solution .

Additionally, resource allocation isn’t a one-and-done deal (like other things on this list), so keep a close eye on the ROI of different initiatives outlined in your business development plan and shift your resources as required. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try a different approach.

9. Implement and monitor.

Since you’ve got a solid plan, a team of do-ers, and enough resources to pull it off, it’s time to put all the strategizing and planning into action and watch the magic happen.

First things first, ensure all your plans have reached the shop floor — everyone knows their role and has the tools they need to crush it. Plus, don’t forget to keep the communication lines open as situations arise to be on top of your game and fix the issue right there and then.

And once you have kicked things off, keep your fingers on the pulse and track your progress against the metrics and KPIs. It’s like checking your GPS in a new city to ensure you’re staying on course.

Lastly, remember to celebrate your wins along the way — whatever size they might be — to keep the team motivated and engaged for the long haul.

10. Continuously review and update.

Since markets evolve, customer trends change, and competitors improve, a business development strategy is never a finished document. Instead, you must keep reviewing and updating your strategies to generate new business for your brand.

Here’s how I approach it:

• Conduct regular check-ins. Assess your current strategies regularly. Are you hitting your targets? Are there any areas that require improvement? Ask tough questions and adjust if required instead of sitting idly.
• Collect market intelligence. Instead of only relying on internal feedback, stay up-to-date with market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities. Use that knowledge to update your strategies and tactics.
• Ask customers for feedback. Your customers should be the center of your attention as they provide specific insights, relevant ideas, and word-of-mouth referrals.

While navigating all the moving parts of a business development strategy might appear confusing, here’s an example of a business development strategy I put together for an ecommerce store, “GreenThreads,” which sells eco-friendly clothing and accessories.

Business Objectives Example

Increase online sales revenue by 25% within the next 12 months by expanding product range and implementing targeted marketing campaigns.

Market Research Example

• According to Material Exchange, 86% of brands asked for sustainable material options in 2023, compared to 52% in 2022.
• Millennials and Gen Z-ers make up 68% of the total sustainable apparel market .
• According to McKinsey & Company, two-thirds of fashion brands who made decarbonization commitments are behind on their schedule.

Target Customer Persona Example

Meet “Eco-Conscious Sam,” a 24-year-old urban professional who values sustainability and ethical consumption. She‘s always on the lookout for fashionable clothing and accessories that align with her values, and she’s willing to pay a bit more for high-quality, eco-friendly products. Sam is active on social media and loves to share her favorite sustainable brands with her followers.

SWOT Analysis Example

• Strengths. GreenThreads is like the superhero of sustainable fashion, fighting fast fashion with its eco-friendly powers and ethical production processes. With a user-friendly online platform, it makes it easier for customers to shop with a clear conscience.
• Weaknesses. GreenThreads’ prices may be higher than those of its fast-fashion competitors. The limited product range might limit the options for customers.
• Opportunities. With sustainable fashion becoming the talk of the town, GreenThreads has the chance to win over eco-conscious consumers. Partnering with influencers and expanding globally could make GreenThreads the world’s most wanted (in a good way!).
• Threats. GreenThreads faces fierce competition from other eco-friendly brands. Plus, the volatile economic environment forces many customers to prioritize penny-pinching over planet-saving.

Action Plans Example

• Product expansion. GreenThreads will develop a line of eco-friendly accessories to complement clothing offerings.
• Marketing. GreenThreads will use user-generated content and eco-friendly influencer partnerships to launch targeted social media campaigns.

Metrics and KPIs Example

GreenThreads will measure:

• Sales revenue.
• Product performance.
• Customer acquisition cost (CAC).

If GreenThreads hits the 25% sales revenue, they can pat themselves on the back. Plus, product performance and CAC will tell GreenThreads how effective they were in expanding the product range and their marketing efforts.

Budget Allocation Example

• Marketing. $50,000.
• Influencer partnerships. $20,000.
• Product expansion. $115,000.

Create a Strategic Business Development Plan

With a strategic business development plan, you‘re not just throwing darts blindfolded and hoping for the best. You’re investing your precious resources, time, and hard-earned money into initiatives that'll knock the socks off your short-term and long-term goals alike.

But don’t take my word for it. Sit down with your team, break out the snacks, and start brainstorming your own master plan to set your business up for long-term success.

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