At the Client Experience Institute, we look forward to sharing a four-part series associated with how business development should be reimagined as we collectively embrace operating in both a 2D and 3D environment.
Commencing with this issue, we will explore why adopting a growth mindset will contribute to your future success and advancement.
Throughout the majority of 2020, we have all witnessed an avalanche of self-imposed limitations and beliefs that impede business development progress. This has included such things as organizations being too focused on revenue recovery to entertain a new supply partner, not being comfortable fostering relationships in a virtual world and not possessing a proven process to generate a proper return on effort.
Even though these considerations are worth contemplating, let’s take a moment to explore why it is so essential to adapt our thinking and apply a different approach.
Start with the word mindset. A mindset is a set of beliefs or attitudes that each person forms over time. A mindset is a lens through which we see the world. It is the birthplace of your thoughts and actions. How you see the world affects what you do and, ultimately, how you perform.
To underscore how this plays out, it would be useful to share a real-world example. During the early phases of the pandemic, we recognized that our business model had to be re-engineered. As a learning and development organization, our clientele could not conduct in-person training, and they had limited funds to invest in staff.
We knew a pivot was required, so we created a virtual on-demand business development platform that allowed professionals to learn at their own pace. This was augmented by a series of video coaching sessions, a toolkit of materials and a program guide incorporating testing to measure performance.
This necessitated a fresh approach requiring the deployment of a new learning management software program, creating a plethora of original content and devising an online experience that people would ultimately want to pay for. Furthermore, the way in which our firm had to commercialize position, and sell the offering was also a new opportunity to embrace.
To be brutally honest, our organization had never done anything like this before, but we practiced what we espoused and applied a growth mindset to the initiative.
In guiding, advising and coaching hundreds of professionals, we underscore the importance of remembering that your attitude truly does determine the altitude you can ascend to. By adopting the following thoughts and actions, it is indeed possible to achieve more.
- Talents, abilities, and intelligence can be developed.
- Embrace challenges with a desire to learn.
- Find inspiration in others’ success.
- Accept criticism as part of the learning process.
- Focus on the process without worrying about the outcome.
- Persevere in the face of setbacks and obstacles.
- Embrace novelty with the desire to learn new skills.
- Surround yourself with people who possess a growth mindset.
- The unknown is a great place for self-development.
- Know that it’s OK not to know.
Take a moment to reflect on these points and further invest in yourself by expanding your horizons. Everyone is looking for that special formula. However, the journey of business development starts with an outlook, perspective and growth mindset.
Marc Rosen is co-founder of The Client Experience Institute™
