Research Summary. Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a business development manager. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of business development manager resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.3% of business development manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Let's find out what skills a business development manager actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.

  • The most common hard skill for a business development manager is customer service. 8.3% business development managers have this skill on their resume.
  • The second most common hard skill for a business development manager is crm appearing on 7.1% of resumes. The third most common is healthcare on 4.7% of resumes.
  • Three common soft skills for a business development manager are customer-service skills, analytical skills and creativity.

One of the most important hard skills a business development manager can possess is consistently meeting and exceeding sales goals because this demonstrates success in marketing and maintaining client relationships It's also important for business development managers to have the hard skill of finding and acquiring new clients.

When it comes to soft skills, business development managers should have strong customer service skills above all else. Business development managers need to keep great relationships with clients, so communication skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most important skills for a business development manager. We ranked the top skills based on the percentage of business development manager resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.3% of business development manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Let's find out what skills a business development manager actually needs in order to be successful in the workplace.

15 Essential Business Development Manager Skills For Your Resume And Career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how customer service is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Defined customer service vision by establishing and maintaining excellent client relationships to ensure client referrals and existing customer service upgrades.
  • Move also included determining and adding increased technical support capability to improve marketing, sales, and customer service abilities.
  • Recognized by company owners as valuable Business Development member through aggressive sales strategy, elite customer service/retention and territory growth.
  • Developed, coordinated and implemented new operations procedures and guidelines, resulting in a significant improvement for Customer Services.
  • Protect organizations values by consistently providing outstanding and professional customer service while being compliant from initial contact with client.

2. CRM

CRM stands for Customer relationship management and it is a complete process through which a business or organization monitors and administers its interactions with the customers. A process in which large amounts of data are collected through marketing via a company's website, polls, surveys, and other social media applications. The basic goal of CRM is to target the right audience for their product, and then fulfill their needs, to increase the sales and revenue of the company.

Here's how crm is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Developed and conducted a MicroStrategy CRM application to replace an in-house CRM application for Coca- Cola national distribution in Atlanta.
  • Worked directly with department manager to implement and integrate sales CRM into operational procedure.
  • Developed, customized and implemented new customer relationship management database (CRM).
  • Follow the established CRM to document prospect interaction ensuring efficient lead management.
  • Coordinated Internet marketing and CRM systems for commercial and promotional activities.

3. Healthcare

Healthcare is the maintenance or improvement of a person's health by the diagnosis and treatment of a person's injury, illness, or any other disease. Healthcare is a basic necessity of human life and is the responsibility of the country's government to ensure that each person gets healthcare. Providing healthcare is the job of certified health professionals that includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other physicians. Pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, dentistry, therapy, and health training all come under healthcare. Healthcare plays a vital role in the country's economy and its development.

Here's how healthcare is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Develop strategic alliances with local banks, HealthCare Agencies, CPA and LLC firms.
  • Managed the development of Healthcare focused sales and marketing efforts for UPS applications and electrical equipment infrastructure for hospitals and institutions.
  • Identify healthcare trends by researching industry and related events, publications, and announcements; tracking individual contributors and their accomplishments.
  • Worked in inventory access kiosk technology, healthcare patient information, and production employee information portal products application development.
  • Defined and articulated strategic direction for Baptist Health and its affiliates through persistent monitoring and evaluation of healthcare trends.

And if you’re looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:

  1. Microsoft Jobs (201)
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  4. Intel Jobs (96)
  5. Wipro Limited Jobs (117)

4. Business Relationships

Here's how business relationships is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Developed and maintained FAA customer business relationships in domestic and/or international markets; identified and developed opportunities for CACI business expansion.
  • Promoted business relationships with local business, legal associations, managed all business budgets and implemented a cost containment budget strategy.
  • Focus Sales Representatives on development and management of highest-value prospects, resulting in establishment of long-term business relationships and maximized profits.
  • Executed U.S. Tax business unit s plans through identifying, evaluating and negotiating business relationships that delivered on company strategies.
  • Developed key business relationships at Regional and National level with executive level decision makers from VP/Director level to site management.

5. Customer Relationships

Customer relationships are the interactions and efforts made by a company to improve its customer service. Customer relationships cover not just all of the essential roles performed by customer support, but also the initiatives made before and after the interaction with a customer.

Here's how customer relationships is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Cultivate valuable customer relationships while providing all potential options regarding financing, design, permits strategy, construction and operation guidelines.
  • Increased market position in document imaging by locating, developing, defining, negotiating and closing sales and managing customer relationships.
  • Assessed marketplace needs, analyzed and evaluated existing customer base, developed and implemented business development plan to expand customer relationships.
  • Build and maintain long-term customer relationships with owners, developers, architects and engineers maximizing customer retention and repeat business.
  • Recognized for building strong and enduring customer relationships, produced winning results and consistently exceeded objectives and revenue goals.

6. Project Management

Here's how project management is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Supervised project management and information technology infrastructure projects implementation.
  • Created processes to streamline the transition of clients through from business development to project management, eliminating repetition and increasing efficiency.
  • Assumed various project management responsibilities including scoping, scheduling, communication, procurement, risk management, and quality assurance.
  • Developed and managed strategic and profitable client relationships through business development, marketing, strategic positioning, and project management.
  • Managed day-to-day operations in customer base, including selling function, implementation/project management, customer support and revenue recognition.

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7. BDM

Here's how bdm is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Assisted in leading a team of BDM's to achieve revenue, attrition, and value added service goals.
  • Exceeded quota by 138% in 2006, resulting in Top BDM & Company MVP/President's Club Honors.
  • Second BDM hired in the newly opened New Jersey office, largely responsible for sustained office growth today.
  • Finished FY2009 ranked #1 out of 14 BDM's nationally in sales revenue increase versus prior year
  • Partnered with tour operators, airlines and other BDM's to jointly promote the destination and resorts.

8. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how excellent interpersonal is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Identify new revenue opportunities and utilize excellent interpersonal skills to foster and maintain valuable working relationships with potential and existing accounts.
  • Performed work with excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to deal professionally with employees and clients at all levels.

9. Salesforce

Salesforce is an American cloud-based software company based in San Francisco, California. This company provides customer relationship management services that enable the customers to be closer to the company. It gives the company detailed information about each customer, including marketing, sales, commerce, and services. Salesforce also helps market a product to attract more buyers, and helps win more customers by targeting the right audience.

Here's how salesforce is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Developed and implemented effective sales, marketing and business development plans, including acquisition and integration of market database into SalesForce.com.
  • Served as Project Team Leader on SalesForce Database design resulting in streamlined reporting and increased accuracy of market data.
  • Monitored performance and evaluated the effectiveness of business development strategies by analyzing and presenting SalesForce data.
  • Monitored and tracked sales opportunities and administered input into SalesForce.com.
  • Developed and managed an extensive online database through SalesForce.

10. Account Management

The process of strengthening the relationship between a company and client is called account management. Effective account management has two key objectives, one is to retain loyal customers and the second one is to help the company grow by creating connections with new customers.

Here's how account management is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Recommended formation of Sales and Marketing organization to initiate merchant market sales, its structure and Direct/Indirect account management strategies.
  • Project and account management- Develop client relationships in a challenging economic environment using plans customized to meet customer's needs.
  • Lead generation, vendor account management, product assortment development, developing marketing strategies, managing and running marketing campaigns
  • Implemented strategic plans and account management best-practices to close key regional and national accounts by addressing specific business needs.
  • Assumed shared responsibility in the implementation process for Account Management and Customer Service to statistically track and record approx.

11. Sales Process

Here's how sales process is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Directed and coordinated activities concerned with the sales process Evaluated new clients Organized Lead generation Strong focus on customer service Maintained website
  • Designed marketing material, implemented new proposal formats and sales process to enhance productivity and reduce time to deliver proposals.
  • Introduced strategic selling model into the sales process, ensuring that Cisco was positioned for end-to-end solution while maintaining profitability.
  • Initiated sales process by cold calling, qualifying, scheduling appointments, and delivering customer presentations to every opportunity.
  • Created and designed training programs and processes and trained outside/inside sales organization on sales process for document conversion services.

12. Sales Cycle

Here's how sales cycle is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Managed the development and execution of the entire sales cycle, including opportunity identification, qualification, proposal development and closing.
  • Led multiple research, development and direct-response marketing initiatives, profitably completing sales cycles through optimizing vendor retention and contract negotiations.
  • Demonstrated advanced expertise in prospecting, customer relationship management, sales cycle management, and sales-closing principles.
  • Performed customer satisfaction review after each sales cycle and generated win/loss analysis for internal performance assessments.
  • Executed sales cycle and recruiting management from discovery through close, and closely monitored implementation process.

13. Client Relationships

Here's how client relationships is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Maintained client relationships with on-site visits and consultations, teleconferences, in-depth technical calls and presentations, and web-based platform communications.
  • Attended and participated in company sponsored educational training seminars, trade shows and association meetings to manage positive client relationships.
  • Cultivated new client relationships with both Information Technology and Human Resources managers of several companies in Boston and surrounding area.
  • Build successful client relationships & manage existing clients to ensure client satisfaction and identify new opportunities within existing projects.
  • Spearheaded growth opportunities through capitalizing, maximizing, developing, cultivating, strengthening, and maintaining client relationships.

14. Lead Generation

Here's how lead generation is used on business development manager resumes:
  • Developed and implemented region store training program focused on revenue generation through systematic day to day, lead generation activities.
  • Created new qualified businesses and improved organization and efficiency of company database by developing and implementing weekly lead generation system.
  • Introduced research-based lead generation resulting in new opportunities in different markets and creating awareness about company's core competencies.
  • Identified and generated new domestic and international business opportunities to increase revenue and profits through lead generation and materialization.
  • Designed sales-lead generation process by synthesizing legacy processes, developing new proprietary technology and, leveraging standard sales techniques.
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The eight most common skills based on Business Development Manager resumes in 2023.

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List Of Skills To Add To Your Business Development Manager Resume

According to recent trends, the most relevant business development manager Resume Keywords for your resume are:

  • Customer Service
  • CRM
  • Healthcare
  • Business Relationships
  • Customer Relationships
  • Project Management
  • BDM
  • Excellent Interpersonal
  • Salesforce
  • Account Management
  • Sales Process
  • Sales Cycle
  • Client Relationships
  • Lead Generation
  • Market Trends
  • Revenue Growth
  • Work Ethic
  • Sales Strategies
  • Trade Shows
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Relationship Building
  • Product Development
  • Business Plan
  • Market Strategies
  • Sales Targets
  • Market Research
  • Sales Presentations
  • Excellent Organizational
  • HR
  • Shared Services
  • Business Development
  • Strong Analytical
  • RFP
  • Market Analysis
  • Real Estate
  • Linkedin
  • Strong Negotiation
  • Sales Pipeline
  • Cold Calls
  • Product Line
  • Sales Growth
  • Gross Profit
  • Cloud Computing
  • Lead Qualification
  • DOD
  • Strategic Plan
  • ROI
  • R
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Amazon Web Services

Real Examples Of Business Development Manager Resumes That Use These Skills

Most Important Business Development Manager Skills According To Experts

What Type Of Skills Will Young Marketing Managers Need?

John McGrath Ph.D.

Chair of Marketing Department, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

I believe we are at a significant turning point in the Marketing --and business-- fields. The students who will succeed will have three qualities that make them stand out. First, they will have to be self-starters in learning new skills and certifications and promoting themselves to prospective employers. Second, they will have to be resilient in the face of disrupting technological and social change. Finally, those who exhibit conscientiousness and understanding in their dealings with others will stand out with employers in this time where Zoom has distanced us from everyday human interactions.

What Account Executive Skills Would You Recommend For Someone Trying To Advance Their Career?

Brian Abraham Ph.D.

Instructor, Full-time faculty member at Nichols College, Augsburg University

If a graduate needs to take a gap year, I recommend they:

Learn a new language, ideally through immersion.
Perform at least 250 hours of pedigree-level volunteering. This is volunteering at a high brand name organization.
Learn how to code in a current software language.
Learn a professional skill set such as Quickbooks or Salesforce.

What Hard/technical Skills Are Most Important For Business Development Managers?

James Wilkerson Ph.D.

Business Program Coordinator, Project and Supply Chain Management Program Coordinator, The Pennsylvania State University

Spreadsheet (Excel) skills (including graph production from data), basic statistical knowledge, and online information search skills.

What Soft Skills Should All Business Development Managers Possess?

James Wilkerson Ph.D.

Business Program Coordinator, Project and Supply Chain Management Program Coordinator, The Pennsylvania State University

Verbal skills (both speaking and writing), negotiation skills, unfailing honesty, ability to empathize with clients' wants, and teamwork skills suitable for working collaboratively with sales and operations staff.

What Skills Stand Out On Business Development Manager Resumes?

James Wilkerson Ph.D.

Business Program Coordinator, Project and Supply Chain Management Program Coordinator, The Pennsylvania State University

Skills, experience, knowledge, and abilities that matter especially strongly include target market analysis (including market research skills and knowledge), product/service positioning within competitive field, project work or coordination with sales staff, major client relationship management, and enough general business and industry knowledge to be able to relate business development to operational/production realities.

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Online Courses For Business Development Managers

One of the best ways to acquire the skills needed to be a business development manager is to take an online course. We've identified some online courses from Udemy and Coursera that will help you advance in your career. Since business development managers benefit from having skills like customer service, crm, and healthcare, we found courses that will help you improve these skills.

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1. Product Management (Part Time)

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Balance business viability, technical feasibility, and customer desire to lead products and features toward long-term success. Learn from a seasoned expert. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

2. Digital Marketing (Part Time)

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Build confidence and capability to apply modern marketing strategies on the job. Drive growth with multichannel campaigns powered by data and customer insight. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

3. How to Build A Startup

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The main idea in this course is learning how to rapidly develop and test ideas by gathering massive amounts of customer and marketplace feedback. Many startups fail by not validating their ideas early on with real-life customers. In order to mitigate that, students will learn how to get out of the building and search for the real pain points and unmet needs of customers. Only with these can the entrepreneur find a proper solution and establish a suitable business model...

4. A/B Testing by Google

udacity

This course will cover the design and analysis of A/B tests, also known as split tests, which are online experiments used to test potential improvements to a website or mobile application. Two versions of the website are shown to different users - usually the existing website and a potential change. Then, the results are analyzed to determine whether the change is an improvement worth launching. This course will cover how to choose and characterize metrics to evaluate your experiments, how to...

5. Salesforce Sales Development Representative

coursera

If you’ve always wanted a rewarding career, the tech sales industry may be the path for you. If you’re an ambitious problem-solver who likes to win, you’ll find tech sales not only fulfilling, but lucrative as well. As the tech industry continuously introduces innovative services and products, tech sales roles have become more crucial than ever. SDRs are in the front lines of the tech biz, connecting with customers and clients, and coming up with the smartest solutions for their problems. Sales...

6. Strategic Sales Management

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This Specialization is intended for sales professionals who seek to improve their sales planning and management competencies and skills. Through five courses, you will cover Effective Sales overview, Sales Strategy, Models and Frameworks to Support Sales Planning, Sales & Marketing Alignment, and you will develop a Final Project.\n\nBy the end of this specialization, you'll have improved your knowledge, competencies, and skills regarding the sales planning process. And you will be able to apply...

7. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups

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8. Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups- Sales Valley

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9. Account Management & Sales Force Design

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The first course in the Sales Operations/Management Specialization, Account Management & Salesforce Design aims to introduce learners to a variety of sales methods. Students will gain knowledge on steps in strategic planning and sales management, responsibilities of a sales manager, kinds of sales operations, a recap of the personal selling process, and the concept of a buying center...

10. Sales and CRM Overview

coursera

This course is the first of a series that aims to teach you the foundational skills in Salesforce that will prepare you for a variety of entry-level sales roles, including the sales operations specialist position. This course is designed for beginners. No previous experience in Salesforce, sales, or CRM is necessary to be successful. In this course, you will be introduced to essential concepts like the fundamentals of the sales process. You'll also learn about what Customer Relationship...

11. A Business Manager's Complete Guide to SalesForce CRM

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Improve collaboration, elevate proficiency and facilitate more productive business relationships in your organization...

12. CRM: Customer Relationship Management

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Practical Ideas To Generate Sales, Loyalty And Repeat Business Fast...

13. The Complete Sales Skills Master Class - Sales Marketing B2B

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14. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation

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16. Management - Leadership, Negotiating, Assertiveness, Sales

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17. Sales Machine: The Sales Training B2B Master Course

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Business Development Manager Skills FAQs

What Are Networking Skills?

Networking skills include communication, relationship management, and professionalism.

  1. Communication

    Communication on a personal level is a necessary part of networking. Having strong, open lines of communication continually strengthens your connections.

    Communication consists of face-to-face contact with good eye contact and being engaged in the conversation. Otherwise, consider responding promptly via email, text, and telephone. Responsive and engaged communication is important.

  2. Relationship Management

    Relationship management is important in networking. Maintaining these relationships can bring you to the forefront of future internships and job opportunities.

    Staying in contact regularly is an important step in maintaining these relationships. Building and maintaining these relationships create lasting connections that benefit everyone involved positively.

  3. Professionalism

    Professionalism has several factors to it. A person must be well-groomed, polite, reliable, and able to maintain an ethical standpoint. How you act, speak, and look reflects who you are as a person and a professional. Treating your superiors, peers, and clients respectfully is all part of professionalism.

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