Seven ways to fall in love with business development- Yes, LOVE!

Seven ways to fall in love with business development- yes LOVE!  

1.     Take the pressure off of yourself and focus your efforts on being of service to your prospective client rather than on bringing in new business.   If you provide value-the business will come.  

2.     Make it a game.  Keep yourself motivated by creating fun challenges for yourself.  How quickly can you make 10 phone calls?  How many meetings can you schedule in an hour.  All of you brilliant rainmakers know that the key to business development is persistent strategic action. Enjoying the process is essential.  You are much likely to keep at it when it is fun.

3.     Take baby steps.  Do one things business development related each day.  Meet one new person each week.  Learn one new thing about your client’s industry each month.  You get the idea-client development should not be a nebulous task that you dread like the dentist.  It is a series of very concrete and strategic actions.  A little easier-huh?

4.     Give first.  Find out who your potential clients and strategic partners need to know and spend time actively searching your contacts and making introductions.  Trust me-they will be happy to return the favor.

5.     Let your creativity show.   Spend some focused time thinking of fun and zany ways to get in front of the right people.   I know a financial broker who decided to host a jam session for professionals.   You can bet anyone who receives her invite, especially if they play an instrument, will pay attention.  I am going to guess she will get a few attendees who come just out of curiosity.

6.     Find a hunting partner.  Like most things in life, business development is more fun when you do it with someone else.  Find someone you can confide in that will help you brainstorm ideas and hold you accountable to your efforts. 

7.     Focus your efforts on your existing clients.  Many professionals,  hmm, hmm-attorneys, I am talking to you, think business development means going out and meeting new people.  There is nothing wrong with that approach, but if the thought of a networking event gives you hives, skip it and take an existing client to lunch instead.  Not only are your existing clients great referral sources, they are chock full of detailed information you can use to attract your prospective clients.  Find out what keeps an existing client up at night and you will have the key to finding more clients just like him/her.   Pretty fun-huh?

About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success.  A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of being a high-level professional and developing a book of business.  Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by making strategic choices that play to their individual strengths and skill sets.  Jonelle regularly works with individuals and law firms on business development programs.  You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.   

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