Hi Dears,
Please advise if normal for one person to hold business development and project management positions at a same time?
As I know that PM focus on processes and delivery of project why BD is more people savvy and sales approach? Saving Changes...
Sean ConroyProject Manager| Construction IndustryShankill, Dublin, Ireland
Omar, I personally think it depends on the person and the role.
There is a big overlap in that both roles are very customer focused and about delivering service. As a project manager a lot of my work in the past has included business development not as a specific task but very definitely as part of the overall position.
I would also think as a project manager delivering business development you are working in a role that has longer term prospects rather than very specific development ideals. Saving Changes...
Amrapali AmrapaliField Marketing Manager| Keysight TechnologiesHounslow, United Kingdom
Hello Omar,
I am PMP certified and I have juggled from the roles of PM to BD for my last two organisations. I agree with Sean, and would say, PM can have inclusive responsibilities depending on the projects timeline. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I personally had to perform both roles in the past. Just to comment, is not "good" to think that PM is focus on process and delivery. PM is focus on creating the defined solution, not on process and delivery. Saving Changes...
In small firms or startups this is a common pattern and there are a number of overlapping interpersonal skills required to be successful in both fields, but at scale, combining roles is generally not a good idea.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Antonio CabreraExecutive Director of M&A Practice Integration Operations| United Musculoskeletal PartnersLake Worth, Fl, United States
Much overlap with the interpersonal skills. Don’t think of the positions in a box with regards to how they work. The outcome is the goal- both develop outputs strategically. Very common in healthcare.
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1 reply by Omar Haddad
Nov 04, 2020 3:42 AM
Omar Haddad
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HI Antonio,
What do you mean much overlap with the interpersonal skills?
Much overlap with the interpersonal skills. Don’t think of the positions in a box with regards to how they work. The outcome is the goal- both develop outputs strategically. Very common in healthcare.
HI Antonio,
What do you mean much overlap with the interpersonal skills?
I appreciate your all valuable responses. I would like to get benefit from your vast experience and advise me for the top responsibilities shall a BDM/PM perform in a start up growing advertisement agency (design & execution). Sure the agency has joint ventures to be managed also.
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1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Nov 04, 2020 8:46 AM
Kiron Bondale
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Omar -
the challenge with this type of combined role is that once you have successfully sold a project, if you will be managing it then you will take your focus of selling to additional clients. On the other hand, if you focus on closing new sales then the client's project might get neglected. The metrics which your company puts in place to measure your performance or incentivize you are also going to influence your behavior.
I appreciate your all valuable responses. I would like to get benefit from your vast experience and advise me for the top responsibilities shall a BDM/PM perform in a start up growing advertisement agency (design & execution). Sure the agency has joint ventures to be managed also.
Omar -
the challenge with this type of combined role is that once you have successfully sold a project, if you will be managing it then you will take your focus of selling to additional clients. On the other hand, if you focus on closing new sales then the client's project might get neglected. The metrics which your company puts in place to measure your performance or incentivize you are also going to influence your behavior.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Wan-Phek HowCareer and Project Management Coach| Wan How ConsultingBurnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Hi Omar,
In the past, being a PM and BD manager is a stretch and requires an entrepreneurial approach. However, in the future, according to the crystal ball that is the WEF Future of Jobs:
1. Project Managers is listed as #11 in the top 20 jobs in increasing demand across all industries in the next 5 years
2. Project management is *not* listed as one of the top 20 cross-cutting specialized skills in the future.
3. Instead we have the following skills listed:
#1 Product Marketing
#2 Digital Marketing
#12 Entrepreneurship
So my sense is that part of future proofing your PM role is to develop additional cross-cutting skills such as entrepreneurship and marketing. The challenge of being both a PM and a BDM may just be what's needed over the next five years.
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