Business Development Representative at Overview | Y Combinator (2024)

FAQs

What is the next step after business development representative? ›

Moving into a closing sales role as an Account Executive or Account Manager is a common next step for most BDRs. However, this isn't the only path. BDRs often work cross-functionally and gain skills that transfer to positions outside of sales. Common paths include marketing, customer success or even customer service.

Along with communication, being organized is an extremely important skill to master as a BDR. From taking notes during your calls to staying on top of follow-ups, your level of organization could make or break you in this role. Below are some easy ways to ensure you stay organized: Build organization into your process.

Business Development Representatives (BDRs) play a critical role in driving revenue growth and expanding a company's customer base. If you're interested in sales, marketing, and customer relationship management, becoming a BDR may be the perfect career choice for you.

As a Business Development Representative, you will drive Lead generation via Phone and other methods to contact potential prospects. You will be an integral part of the sales team, to identify, penetrate, and cultivate new business opportunities.

The learning: your SDRs average tenure is about 14 months, and perhaps most importantly, 52% of you don't see your SDRs last even 12 months. This shouldn't be much of a surprise.

As a BDR, you would be responsible for researching and identifying potential customers, building relationships with them, and helping them understand how your company's products can meet their needs. Through career progression this would lead to a Business Development Executive role.

I'd say if you stick at the same company for around 12 months you should be in a good position to explore AE internally. Even if it's not the world's best role, I'd recommend staying in one place as a BDR until promotion because any time you change jobs, you have to start all over & reset that 12 month "BDR clock".

A Sales Development Representative (SDR) or Business Development Representative (BDR) are typically roles in an early sales career focusing on generating new client leads. An SDR focuses on qualifying inbound leads while a BDR focuses on prospecting outbound leads. Neither one is responsible for closing business.

The estimated total pay range for a Enterprise Business Development Representative at Salesforce is $88K–$134K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Enterprise Business Development Representative base salary at Salesforce is $67K per year.

Once a conversation is started, the BDR has to evaluate whether the lead can be pushed further in the sales funnel or if it's a dead end. Target research and cold outreach will give the BDR information about their leads and a qualifying call. With this information, the BDR will qualify the leads.

How much does a business development representative make in the US? ›

While business development representatives may generate and transfer leads to account executives or similar professionals, business development managers often foster existing customer relationships and seek out upsell opportunities.

Business development representatives create long-term value for businesses by finding new opportunities for growth and expansion. They use various strategies, including cold calling, emailing and networking, to identify and connect with prospective clients or customers.

First, you move into a business management position, then onto the head of business development. After that point, who knows, you might be able to found your own firm and use all your experience to push it to success.

Typically, people start their business development career from an entry-level role, such as a business developer, and work their way up to mid-level positions. After acquiring adequate experience and expertise, they can apply for leadership positions that offer more responsibilities and compensation.

Become People Manager: The next potential logical step could be becoming a people manager. You develop those skills and then manage the team of more junior folks along with taking on little more responsibility globally.