Implementing a new commercial strategy is a real challenge for businesses. To achieve this, businesses are developing a significant sales force.
Within the sales team, the business developer helps the firm identify new growth drivers. Who is this professional and what tools does he have at his disposal to do his job? Discover this role among Sales & Business Development jobs.
What is a commercial developer?
Business Development Manager, Business Developer, Business Development Manager, all these expressions refer to the same profession. The business developer contributes to the evolution of a business by contributing to the improvement of relationships with suppliers, customers and other partners.
Her desire is to ensure that the relationships that put the business in a successful climate last as long as possible. Within an organization, the place occupied by the Business Developer is crucial. It allows the company to plan for the long term. Among other things, the development manager is also responsible for the following actions:
- Identifying sales leads;
- The presentation of services and products to a target audience;
- Sales review to better guide future operations;
- The establishment of good communication with customers;
- Management of new prospects;
- The conduct of negotiations between the company and a business partner.
Thus, the business developer does his best to help the company maximize its profits. The business developer consolidates the achievements of the organization and recommends the appropriate commercial strategies to increase its impact on the market.
How much does a business developer earn?
The salary for a business developer is not a fixed amount. It is defined based on various factors. These essentially include prowess in the field, professional experience, the function performed and the bonuses associated with it.
In fact, a young graduate in business development earns an average of 2,500 euros each month. Over a full year, his remuneration is around €30K unto €40K.
As he evolves, his salary increases significantly and can reach the range of 4,750 to 6,500 euros per month. Past the middle level, a business developer can become a business director and earn nearly 95K € net the year.
The sector of activity is important in determining the salary that a business developer can receive. Some markets that are more lucrative than others entitle them to the frequent bonuses enjoyed by the business development manager.
Finally, all these combined can be worth much more than the annual remuneration. Moreover, some functions allow business development managers to benefit from rewards. They may concern a company vehicle, membership in a medical service and a pension.
What skills are inherent in the job of commercial developer?
The commercial developer must demonstrate certain technical qualities. General skills such as time management, organizational skills and communication are in demand for this job. In terms of specific skills, we can cite:
- Leadership to work in a team and motivate employees;
- Know how to make decisions and execute them;
- Be able to motivate yourself to turn the situation to your advantage during a complicated negotiation;
- Be able to adapt quickly to a fluctuating environment;
- To be able to think of a strategy quickly to draw the group's attention to the opportunities it does not see.
A holder of a BTS in Negotiation and Customer Relations or in Business Unit Management can access this position. Professional licenses in Commerce, more specifically marketing of goods and services between businesses, are also accepted.
To maximize the chances of being hired with a decent salary, it is best to have a professional master's degree and experience in the field. A profile with a Bac + 5 years, a graduate of engineering schools or business schools, is very much in demand.
What is the professional environment for a commercial developer?
The commercial developer most often has a work desk. He also sometimes goes to daily meetings to talk to financial partners. Relational skills are an important characteristic in this job. Thus, the business developer is called upon to meet customers physically.
This makes it possible to put them in confidence and shows them the consideration given to them by the company whose interests are defended.
There are times of stress during which the business development manager, despite his efforts, does not achieve the goals. So, he has to be creative and clever to provide satisfactory results.
In his work, the business development manager may be entrusted with the management of a team. It is therefore necessary for him to assign tasks to the various members, direct joint actions and be responsible for the performance of these collaborators.
The business developer must also take care of their clothing appearance. It is a requirement in the exercise of its function.
What are the prospects for a commercial developer?
Many businesses use the services of a business developer to ensure that they achieve their growth goals. This trend concerns all sectors of activity. Private or public, none of them is immune.
This means countless career opportunities for the business developer. Depending on his wishes, the latter may decide to intervene in a particular sector of activity.
In this case, he becomes a commercial specialist in this field and is committed to solving the challenges associated with this business. Professional advancement is possible on this path.
The business development manager can become a business development manager, which has significant responsibilities. A few years of experience are enough to earn this distinction.
In addition to the function of Business director, the business development manager can be a team leader. If he works for an international company, he may have to work on projects abroad.
In this case, the business developer will have to travel periodically to fulfill his responsibilities wherever the need arises. When the company authorizes it, he can request a permanent or temporary transfer. Of course, all working conditions must be taken into account in order to make a decision.
A business development manager can work in several companies at the same time. In this context, it offers services to companies. These consist in bringing commercial strategy advice from his private and regulated practice. Commercial development is also presented as a liberal profession.
What are the working hours?
In general, a business development manager works every business day of the week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, there are exceptions. For example, if the professional has a team, he can intervene on an ad hoc basis to ensure that his collaborators execute the orders given.
Also, considering the type of mission that a company has given him, the business development manager can spend more time at work. It should also be noted that he can work face-to-face or remotely. Speaking of projects on which a commercial developer could intervene, we can cite the following:
- The field of construction and public works;
- The IT sector (software, hardware, cybersecurity);
- The field of health;
- financial activities;
- E-commerce.
Who are the employers of the Business Development Manager?
A business development manager can make his skills available to various types of employers. These may be in the private, public, charitable, or other sectors.
These companies therefore do not hesitate to create a special unit for commercial development. As a result, material and human resources are provided to the business developer so that he can achieve the goals and participate actively in the growth of the company. Commonly, the following industries are rapidly hiring commercial developers.
- Banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions;
- pharmaceutical firms;
- Companies specialized in computer science;
- manufacturing companies;
- Mobile telephone, telecommunications and other information technology operators;
- Health and care centers;
- Any other business selling products or services.