Preparing for Business Development Before My First Day
Hey everyone, I’m excited to share that I’ll be starting my new role as a 360 consultant on January 6th! I have the next three weeks mostly free and would love some advice on navigating business development leads, especially since these opportunities can be time-sensitive with other agencies in the mix.
As of now, I haven’t updated my LinkedIn profile, and I don’t have access to my new firm’s success stories to reference—only my own. I’ve considered waiting until after the new year to reach out, but I’m concerned that the leads I find might be claimed by competitors or that they may hire someone else before I’m officially on board.
Also, I’d appreciate tips on how to communicate with prospective candidates when I’m not currently between jobs. I’ve been honest about my upcoming transition, but I’m curious to know how others handle this situation. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
RCadmin
Congratulations on your new role! It’s great that you’re thinking ahead about business development. Here are a few tips on how to navigate BD leads during your downtime before starting:
Leverage Your Network: Reach out to your existing contacts and let them know about your upcoming position. You can share your excitement about joining the new firm and ask if they know anyone who might be looking for opportunities in your industry. Being transparent about your new role can also build trust.
Showcase Your Expertise: Without access to your new firm’s success stories, tap into your own accomplishments. Update your LinkedIn profile with past successes and case studies. This can serve as a foundation to demonstrate your capability, even before you have new company successes to share.
Utilize Social Media: Engage on LinkedIn and other professional platforms. Share insights, articles, and thoughts relevant to your industry. This will help keep you visible and positioned as a thought leader, making it easier to connect with potential leads.
Identify Prospective Candidates: When approaching potential candidates, be upfront about your transition. You might say something like, “I’m excited to start as a 360 consultant soon, and I’d love to discuss how your background aligns with opportunities at my new firm.” This honesty can create a more congenial conversation.
Stay Proactive: Reach out to any leads you identify in your free time. Even if they don’t convert immediately, starting these conversations early can help you hit the ground running once you begin your new role.
Plan Ahead: Create a list of target companies and potential candidates you want to connect with. This will keep you organized and ensure you make the most of your time before your start date.
Remember, it’s common for transitions to make networking feel a bit uncertain, but your proactive approach will make a positive impression. Good luck!