Sep 6, 2024
Business Development Managers (BDMs) play a crucial role in business growth. They focus on finding new opportunities, building strong partnerships, and ensuring client satisfaction. In a constantly evolving business landscape, the role of BDMs is more crucial than ever as they adapt to new challenges and technological changes.
Find out what it takes to thrive as a Bolt Business Development Manager with insights from the team, including Anton Migdalskyi (Ukraine), Baaba Hammond (Ghana), Domantas Dabrukas (Lithuania), Frank Dibia (Nigeria), Luis Gonzaga (Portugal), Maria-Daniela Pădurariu (Romania), and Rodrigo Fresco Arrom (Paraguay).
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The role of a Business Development Manager is often misunderstood, with many people holding onto outdated or oversimplified views of what the job entails. These misconceptions can lead to undervaluing the strategic importance of the role and misinterpreting what makes a BDM successful. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths surrounding this role.
Some believe that the role of a Business Development Manager is diminishing as clients become more informed and rely on their own research to make decisions. However, Anton from Ukraine argues that this view misses the broader scope of the job: “A good Business Development Manager doesn’t just pitch a product—they educate clients about the market landscape, including the pros and cons of other available solutions.”
Anton Migdalskyi, Business Development Manager
Additionally, BDMs build strong relationships, analyse market trends, and identify emerging opportunities. These elements are crucial in driving the growth and success of Bolt Business, evolving the role from a simple sales position to one of a strategic advisor.
Luis from Portugal and Domantas from Lithuania dispel the myth that BDMs only focus on selling. While sales are a significant aspect, BDMs at Bolt act as strategic partners, problem solvers, and market analysts.
The approach is centred on consulting clients to find the best solutions for their needs, particularly in managing daily business travel, rather than pushing for a sale. This holistic approach requires extensive collaboration with various teams to deliver comprehensive solutions, making the role more than just a sales job.
Frank from Nigeria and Rodrigo from Paraguay address the misconception that BDMs are simply glorified salespeople who will say anything to close a deal. In reality, BDMs are the catalysts for revenue growth, creating strategic partnerships, conducting market research, and providing valuable insights into market realities.
They focus on understanding clients’ needs before proposing solutions, ensuring that any offer aligns with their goals. This integrity-driven approach drives long-term client satisfaction and cements the BDM’s role as a trusted partner in business development.
Maria-Daniela from Romania clarifies a common myth that BDMs lead teams. In fact, they’re individual contributors focused on driving business growth through direct client interaction and strategic development. The role is centred on building client relationships and developing business strategies, not managing teams, further emphasising the consultative and strategic nature of the job.
Check out our vacancies to read the full Business Development Manager job description.
Business Development Managers are the backbone of any thriving company, often serving as the first point of contact between the customer and the business. Their ability to build strong, lasting relationships is crucial, as they listen carefully, ask the right questions, and create value that customers can’t find elsewhere. Without these professionals, companies would face severe challenges.
“If Bolt was to lose its BDMs suddenly, the impact would be profound. The company would likely struggle to onboard new clients, particularly top-tier companies essential for market expansion,” shared Domantas. This slowdown in client acquisition would directly affect the company’s growth trajectory, leading to a dry pipeline of new business and stagnation in revenue growth.
Moreover, the absence of BDMs would mean a significant loss of valuable insights into market trends and client needs. “Losing BDMs could lead to missed opportunities, a weakened competitive position, and a disconnect between our offerings and market demands,” Luis shared.
Luis Gonzaga, Senior Business Development Manager
Additionally, without BDMs, clients wouldn’t receive solutions tailored to their needs. “If the company can’t offer what the client needs, it can lead to more commuting, increased car usage, higher pollution, and more time wasted on tasks like expense reporting. The negative chain effects would be significant, impacting not just the company but the environment and city life,” Rodrigo says.
The Business Development Manager’s role involves more than making sales. They strategically drive growth, innovation, and sustainability. Without them, companies would lose money and struggle to meet customer needs and positively impact society.
Every day is different for a Business Development Manager, but there are several key responsibilities that define the role. These include:
Let’s discuss these in more detail.
One of the primary tasks for a BDM is identifying new business opportunities. This involves researching and understanding the market to find potential clients who would benefit from our business travel services.
“My main responsibilities revolve around identifying and securing new business opportunities, particularly those that help clients streamline the administration of business travel for their employees,” explains Domantas. He collaborates with various departments to tailor solutions that meet the specific needs of his clients, ensuring our offerings are a perfect fit.
Similarly, Frank emphasises the importance of filtering prospects for businessworthiness before pitching viable solutions that address their challenges.
BDMs manage their sales pipelines, which means tracking all potential deals from the initial contact to closure.
“As a Senior BDM, I spend a significant part of my day prospecting, leading high-stakes meetings, and negotiating with business stakeholders across various industries,” says Baaba from Ghana. Her ability to consistently close high-tier deals is crucial in driving Bolt’s revenue growth and market presence in Ghana.
Establishing and nurturing client relationships is crucial for a BDM’s success. It’s not just about closing deals; it’s about ensuring our services create real, sustainable value for our clients.
Maria-Daniela dedicates her time to finding new clients and building solid and lasting relationships with them. She knows that by investing in these relationships, she can better understand client needs and ensure they get the most out of our services.
Luis also highlights the importance of this aspect, noting that his work in building and maintaining client relationships directly contributes to Bolt Business’s growth.
Negotiating terms and closing deals are core components of a BDM’s role. It requires a deep understanding of the client’s needs and the ability to present our services as the best solution.
“It’s important to ensure clients genuinely need our services. So my approach is not just about making a sale but about creating real value for the customer, because without value, no business can sustain itself for long,” emphasises Anton.
Rodrigo adds that while he focuses on closing deals, he also plays a vital role in supporting his team by providing insights that contribute to success across the board.
Working closely with other teams is a significant aspect of a successful BDM. Collaboration with marketing, operations, and product development ensures our solutions meet client needs.
Luis works closely with various departments to align our products with market demands. Rodrigo leverages his experience working in multiple markets to offer valuable insights that help other teams succeed. His ability to build trust across departments makes him a natural leader.
To thrive as a Business Development Manager (BDM), you need a blend of qualities that set you apart in a competitive landscape. Key skills include:
Let’s dive into each of these in more detail.
Confidence in your role begins with deep market knowledge. As Anton highlights, tracking competitor movements is crucial. Whether it’s pricing changes, new commercial terms, or shifts in key client relationships, staying informed allows you to position your services effectively and stay ahead of the competition.
For Frank, having a customer-centric mindset is non-negotiable. It’s about truly understanding client needs, not just selling. Building lasting relationships takes patience and the willingness to solve real problems. This approach not only closes deals but also fosters long-term partnerships.
Maria-Daniela and Luis both emphasise resilience. The path to closing deals is rarely smooth, often involving setbacks and rejections. However, as Luis points out, not accepting “no” without a valid reason and learning from each setback is essential.
For Maria-Daniela, consistency in efforts — whether following up with prospects or maintaining client relationships — is the foundation of success.
Strategic thinking is another must-have skill. Rodrigo and Domantas underscore the importance of planning and adaptability. Whether it’s identifying market opportunities or adjusting to a client’s evolving needs, thinking ahead and staying flexible are key to meeting targets and closing deals.
Domantas stresses the importance of consistency in delivering strong results. Maintaining a steady and reliable presence is critical to long-term success, whether it’s your approach to client interactions or your follow-up routines.
Building relationships goes beyond basic client interaction. Rodrigo emphasises the importance of this skill, highlighting that strong relationships are built on trust, which often extends beyond your sales role.
As Maria-Daniela points out, building these connections requires adaptability, charisma, and the ability to engage with clients genuinely.
Finally, adaptability is essential in the fast-paced world of business development. As Rodrigo mentions, being able to pivot quickly based on data and client feedback ensures that you can navigate the complexities of the role and continue to drive success.
Becoming a Business Development Manager (BDM) at Bolt offers a unique and rewarding career path.
“The most rewarding aspect of being a BDM at Bolt is seeing the direct impact of your efforts,” says Baaba, “The results are visible and deeply satisfying, whether it’s closing a major deal, meeting ambitious targets, or contributing to Bolt’s overall success. Bolt values your drive and intelligence, making it an exciting place to grow as a sales professional.”
Baaba Hammond, Interim Country Manager for Bolt Business in Ghana
“I find immense satisfaction in overcoming challenges to secure partnerships,” shares Domantas. “When obstacles arise during contract negotiations, successfully navigating these hurdles and closing the deal brings a strong sense of accomplishment. At Bolt, you’re not just making sales — you’re overcoming challenges and making a real difference.”
Frank loves the open environment at Bolt, where there are no limits on how high you can soar. Starting as a Business Sales Specialist in 2021 and advancing to Senior BDM in 2023, Frank’s journey exemplifies Bolt’s commitment to rewarding merit and hard work. The sky’s the limit here; your success is directly tied to your abilities and drive.
Maria-Daniela highlights the joy of meeting new people and creating relationships with clients. “My role is not just about business; it’s about human interaction. Every day offers a new opportunity to learn about different industries, marketing trends, and HR practices, continuously expanding my knowledge. This relational aspect of the job is deeply fulfilling and adds a personal touch to professional achievements.”
Rodrigo can’t get enough of the team and office environment at Bolt. After transitioning from a remote job, he enjoyed the hybrid work setup at Bolt, where leadership is supportive, coworkers are fantastic, and the product is top-notch. As he shared, this supportive atmosphere is something to look forward to every day.
If you’re considering a career at Bolt Business, there are countless reasons to join!
Whether you’re looking for career growth, a supportive work environment, or the chance to make a real impact, Bolt Business offers it all. It’s a rapidly expanding and innovative company that highly values your contributions and promotes your professional development.
Browse our careers page, find an open Business Development Manager role, and apply.
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