Guide to business development
Business development is critical to the advancement of women professionals in law. The following guide has been updated from the original Justicia Project and is intended to be a practical resource for women legal professionals to enhance their business development skills. It emphasizes the importance of creating a personal brand, building relationships and generating client business. It also offers helpful resources, advice and tips to create a personal brand and create rewarding revenue streams through clients, social media, websites and public speaking opportunities.
In this guide you will also learn about:
The importance of business development: Business development involves relationship-building and problem solving. Learn how to become a “rainmaker” by connecting with people and understand how to transform relationships into business.
Business development challenges for women in the workplace: Common challenges faced by women include self-promotion, "the ask," time management, converting personal relationships into professional ones, discomfort in traditional networking, and limited access to male power brokers. This guide offers tips and step-by-step strategies to help overcome these challenges.
Elements of business development success: Self-promotion involves making achievements known, and personal branding establishes uniqueness – and while both aspects can be difficult, they are equally important when working on your personal business development plan. Learn how to network and reach out to peers and mentors.
Online marketing and social media: Online tools are now easier to use than ever before and can help enhance your brand while setting you up for success. This guide offers advice on using social media to establish expertise and connect with a broader audience. It also underscores the importance of having a website to highlight your online presence and be easily searchable by potential clients and those seeking your expertise.
Building and maintaining relationships: Networking and relationship-building are central to business development in any phase of your career. This guide highlights how involvement in legal and external organizations can help expand your network. It also emphasizes how existing clients are a significant source of new business. Learn how to nurture client relationships and provide superior service, which can contribute to client loyalty and referrals.