A SADC community for supporting the art, science and professions of making business better
Why BDASA?
Networking | Best Practices | Professional Development | Ethics | Interest Groups
Business Development Practitioners face unique challenges in today’s business environment. To name a few, customer behaviour patterns are changing, new market trends emerge, economic activities are down, consumer spending is down, competition is rife, marketing budgets are cut and government policy and restrictions are not helping.
On the one hand, Business Development is not a statutory profession and few barriers to entry exist. On the other hand, a career as a business development professional is difficult to build and the landscape may sometimes become overwhelming and confusing.
Our purpose
BDASA’s purpose is to help Business Development Practitioners in Southern Africa become more successful and achieve a higher level of performance. This will help to grow the SADC economy and create a better future for all.
Based on continuous member needs analysis, BDASA aims to offer a full spectrum of support services and resources that are valued by members.
(Participate in 3-minute needs survey)
Our purpose
Membership of BDASA is open and voluntary
Different membership categories cater for specific needs; from supporters of business development (free Associated Membership), to business owners or freelance/employed BDs and other professionals (Full Membership), to professionals working full-time in a formal business development function (Business membership).
Associated and full membership are open because business development practitioners include many role-players and stakeholders. It could include diverse professions such as IT-programmers, specialized engineers, advanced marketing or key account management activities, and sales and relations development for current and prospective customers. For this reason, it is difficult to define general features of a business development practitioner.
Membership benefits
Individual
Business
Associated Membership
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Open and/or exclusive networking events - Invitation Only
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Subject Matter Expert presentations and discussion forums - Invitation Only
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Monthly BDASA newsletters and GrowSA publications
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Listing or profiling of your company on the GrowSA.africa website - Listing Only
Full
Membership
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Open and/or exclusive networking events
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Subject Matter Expert presentations and discussion forums
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Professional development courses, 145 online courses to choose from – 3 per month
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Access to the BDASA member register
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Monthly BDASA newsletters and GrowSA publications
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Listing or profiling of your company on the GrowSA.africa website - Full Profile
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Subscription and use of the BDASA Professional Code
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Discount on training, workshops and events, couching services etc.
Business
Business
Membership
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For 2 and more persons from same organisation
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Open and/or exclusive networking events
-
Subject Matter Expert presentations and discussion forums
-
Professional development courses, 145 online courses to choose from – 3 per month
-
Access to the BDASA member register
-
Monthly BDASA newsletters and GrowSA publications
-
Listing or profiling of your company on the GrowSA.africa website - Full Profile
-
Subscription and use of the BDASA Professional Code
-
Discount on training, workshops and events, couching services etc.
Professional development
The modern business development practitioner is a highly skilled and well-informed individual that is concerned with exploring and implementing business growth opportunities. This may include aspects such as product/market development to supporting senior management or board of directors in strategic expansion decisions, as well as being involved with implementation. Skill sets and experience for business development specialists usually consist of a mixture of the following (depending on the business requirements):
Sales
Finance
Marketing
Legal
Mergers and acquisitions
Strategic management
Proposal management or capture management
For larger and well-established companies, especially in technology-related industries, the term “business development” often refers to setting up and managing strategic relationships and alliances with other, third-party companies. In these instances, the companies may leverage each other’s expertise, technologies or other intellectual property to expand their capacities for identifying, researching, analysing and bringing to market new businesses and new products.
In this case, business development focuses on the implementation of the strategic business plan through equity financing, acquisition/divestiture of technologies, products, and companies, plus the establishment of strategic partnerships where appropriate.
Business development can also be thought of as a marketing tactic
The objectives include branding, expansion in markets, new user acquisition, and awareness. However, the main function of business development is to utilize partners in selling to the right customers. Creating opportunities for value to be ongoing in the long term is important. To be successful in business development the partnership must be built on strong relationships.
BDASA supports ethical business practices
Business Development is affected by many factors, internal and external, with reputation becoming a great concern.
Ethical business practices are closely tied to reputation which makes it essential to follow ethical guidelines if a company is looking to build their reputation. In fact, Businesses that develop quickly and successfully have tendencies to show honesty, impartiality, and service to all of their stakeholders.
BDASA supports ethical business practices
tell us what you think
Please complete the 3-minute survey form to help direct the development of the Business Development Association of Southern Africa (BDASA) and the benefits it should offer to members.
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