Question 1

What is business development, and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Business development is the process by which organizations pursue opportunities to create greater value. Just like people, organizations must grow and change over time to thrive, and successful ones engage in development planning guided by strategic thinking and the pursuit of long-term goals. However, while business development is important to the ongoing viability of any organization, the specifics of a given growth strategy may involve entirely different processes from case to case.

For example, a multinational corporation’s business development strategy may include an analysis of their competitive position in the market, a capabilities analysis to determine areas of strength and weakness, and then a consideration of opportunities to divest from businesses that are no longer likely to be profitable. Alternatively, a company may identify new market opportunities and seek to diversify by establishing a new business unit or through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

In contrast, for non-profit organizations, business development typically has quite a different meaning. In this context, development is usually focused on fundraising through a variety of means, including social media campaigns, grant programs, special events, one-on-one donor cultivation, and other activities.

Regardless of the types of activities pursued, business development is a core element of the lifecycle of any long-running enterprise.

Question 2

What kinds of careers can you pursue with business development skills?

Accepted Answer

Business development expertise can be a prerequisite for many types of careers, although the actual job titles and tasks vary whether you work for for-profits or non-profits.

In the for-profit world, business development experience is often associated with upper-level management or strategic consulting, where one must be able to evaluate the costs and benefits of choices in steering the future of a company. Business development manager or partner development manager may also be an important position in some companies, particularly business-to-business (B2B) companies that must find and strike deals with prospective corporate customers.

Non-profit business development careers typically start with work as a development associate and continue on to more strategic roles as directors of development. As detailed by the National Council of Non-Profits, these development professionals must creatively pursue a wide range of activities in order to secure funding for upcoming programs, including grant writing, event planning, and soliciting donors. Non-profit development roles typically require greater social and interpersonal skills than in the business world, since building warm relationships with key donors is often a major part of the job.

Question 3

Can I learn about business development through online courses available on Coursera?

Accepted Answer

Indeed! Coursera offers a wide range of accredited business courses and Specializations from top-ranked institutions, including courses in business development and related topics. With the opportunity to learn about business development remotely from leading faculty at schools like the University of Virginia and the University of London, you can be sure that learning on Coursera can be a high-value element in your own career growth strategy.

Question 4

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn business development?

Accepted Answer

Because business development incorporates many different elements and activities to figure out how to effectively grow a business, it’s helpful to have a good foundation in business basics before you dive into this specialization. Although there aren’t any strict prerequisites, working in business development requires juggling many different facets of a company, including elements like financial standing, sales results, and company reputation. As you learn about business development, you'll also cultivate relevant skills. Communication is crucial in this arena, so you'll need to learn how to listen with an open mind, speak and write clearly, and effectively collaborate with others. In addition to skills like public speaking and sharp attention to detail, you'll also gain skills in marketing, negotiation, finance, and sales.

Question 5

What kind of people are best suited for roles in business development?

Accepted Answer

Someone who's passionate about business and interested in working across multiple departments to figure out how all the elements within an organization work together to create opportunities for growth is well suited to working in business development roles. Another common trait among those who do well in this type of position is an innate sense of curiosity, which is a key driving force to building stronger relationships and strong brands. Having a solid understanding of the importance of brand building for expanding business and driving change throughout the organization's marketing and sales practices are other important attributes.

Question 6

How do I know if learning business development is right for me?

Accepted Answer

If you thrive as a multitasker and you're looking for a career in business that presents different challenges every day, a career as a business developer might be a good match. There's a lot of variety within the daily tasks. One day you might be working closely with the marketing department, the next you could be working with finance. Business development professionals increase profitability, improve the customer experience, boost operational efficiencies, and participate in high-level decisions. You'll likely be involved in staying on top of the state of the business and the industry, along with keeping up with developments from competitors, customer profiles, and opportunities to expand the business.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Business Development

What is business development, and why is it important?‎

What kinds of careers can you pursue with business development skills?‎

Can I learn about business development through online courses available on Coursera?‎

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn business development?‎

What kind of people are best suited for roles in business development?‎

How do I know if learning business development is right for me?‎

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