Question

Topic: Other

Business Development - Marketing Activities?

Posted by Anonymous on 11/17/2008 at 7:27 PM ET 300 Points
Hi all,

I normally associate Business Development with a PreSales/Sales activity, however recently I was asked what can Marketing do to improve 'business dev.'
Esp. within a B2B environment.

Yes, I know the results of all marketing activities can be seen as helping business development (e.g. an ad with the objective of increasing brand/product awareness, will hopefully lead to a purchase further down the line; etc...).

But what are the more direct Business Development marketing activities???
And what are the 'outside-the-box' ones you know of?? (I'm putting Direct marketing & Events as 'inside-the-box')

Thanks in advance
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted on 11/17/2008 at 7:59 PM Accepted
    You might start contributing to existing blogs or starting your own. Do this to be genuinely helpful to others, not because you want business next week/month. Once you're known as a truly helpful contributor to the community, you'll find that you've essentially contributed to the business development function.

    Or go to prospective customers and see if they'll just talk to you about their problems and priorities. Don't sell them anything. Just listen and see if there's a way you can be helpful to them. That's a great way to develop a market that will eventually become your customer base.

    Or conduct a market research study that might be useful to your industry. Then share the results with prospective customers so they'll know that you're interested in developing the whole market.

    Hope these ideas help, and that they respond to what you're requesting.
  • Posted by Marla on 11/17/2008 at 9:09 PM Member

    In today's fast paced digital world sometimes you need to go back to the basics. I agree with seeing clients face to face, we somehow are lost in the email world & often don't know the faces behind the words. When meeting with them I would offer them a promotional product, or use it as a prospective meeting introduction. Branded promotional products when used correctly can result in a powerful 'out of the box', cost efficient tool in promoting your product, service & message. They offer long term brand awareness, & often become collector's items. There are literally millions of products to choose from. (everything you see in the world can be branded!) If you want 'out of the box', choose a product that is totally off the wall but still fits with your message. Speak with a promotional product specialist who can help you determine what is right for your company & your budget. I would be happy to advise you further :)
  • Posted by Marla on 11/17/2008 at 9:11 PM Member
    In today's fast paced digital world sometimes you need to go back to the basics. I agree with seeing clients face to face, we communicate in an email world & often don't know the faces behind the words. When meeting with them I would offer a promotional product, or use it as a prospective meeting introduction. Branded promotional products when used correctly can result in a powerful 'out of the box', cost efficient tool in promoting your product, service & message. They offer long term brand awareness, & often become collector's items. There are literally millions of products to choose from. (everything you see in the world can be branded!) If you want 'out of the box', choose a product that is totally off the wall but still fits with your message. Speak with a promotional product specialist who can help you determine what is right for your company & your budget. I would be happy to advise you further :)
  • Posted by kourosh Tabandeh on 11/18/2008 at 11:23 AM Member
    You can start prospecting ur customer in a face to face manner. This is quite important that none of the other types of a prospect can make it done like this. It has been proven that body language has a major effect during a prospect, this is teh reason that many big Multi companies still are using this traditional approach.

    This is a matter of more importance in B2B biz, when u marketing can bring u closer to ur customer easily during a prospect. Actually this is marketing jon in teh frist starge to find the right customer for you, then this is again marketing job to equipt you with the required info on the product.


BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Other)