As I near a decade in my journey as a Business Development professional, I often find myself wondering—how did I even end up here? I didn’t have a clear plan, nor was BD a deliberate choice. And yet, here I am—almost a decade in, still learning, still evolving.
Before I get into the reflections and takeaways from my journey, let me start with a few quick notes:
1. I’m not one of the few, but one of many women who joined Business Development—maybe hesitantly at first—but chose to stay.
2. The road has had its share of highs and lows, breakthroughs and breakdowns. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: I’m proud to be a BD professional. Always have been. Always will be.
Let’s rewind to where it all began—2013.
At the time, I was preparing for the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam and working as a teaching professional to strengthen my technical foundation. Teaching was never the end goal—it was a means to an end. But after four sincere attempts and no breakthrough, the path I had envisioned for myself started to blur.
With my enthusiasm for teaching waning, my parents gently nudged me in a new direction: an MBA. They believed it would open doors to the corporate world and offer the kind of career stability I deserved. While the idea sounded promising to everyone around me, I felt torn—my heart was still tethered to the world of engineering and technology.
Fast forward to 2014—I found myself reluctantly enrolling in a postgraduate management program in Mumbai. As part of the curriculum, I secured an internship in sales and marketing with a German firm. At the time, I had little understanding of what I was getting into. It was a far cry from technical roles I once aspired to. But that very internship, taken with hesitation, turned out to be the turning point of my professional life.
It laid the foundation for everything that followed. It introduced me to the world of business development—and set me on a path I never imagined, yet eventually came to embrace fully.
“Theory doesn’t apply in the domain of Sales & Business Development.”
That was my first—and hardest—lesson during my management classes.
As someone deeply wired into technical thinking, this was a tough pill to swallow. I had spent years honing my analytical skills, and suddenly found myself in a space that thrived on ambiguity, intuition, and people dynamics. Frankly, it wasn’t where I wanted to be.
Throughout the course, I gravitated toward Supply Chain and Procurement—areas that kept me intellectually engaged and aligned with my engineering background. I poured my efforts into this domain, convinced it would shape my post-MBA path.
But by 2016, as placements rolled in, I didn’t land the “dream company” many of my peers aspired to. Instead, I reluctantly accepted a Business Development role with an MNC in the electrical industry. It wasn’t ideal—but at that point, gaining experience and financial independence took precedence over personal interest.
My family, ever supportive, reassured me: “Do this for two or three years—you can always switch tracks later.”
That thought gave me comfort… for a while!
But as fate would have it, things turned out very differently.
My first role in Business Development within the electrical industry was nothing short of transformative.
As a woman stepping into a predominantly male-dominated field environment, I knew I was challenging norms. But instead of holding back, I embraced it. From market scouting to on-ground lead generation, I found myself not just breaking barriers—but also building connections.
What surprised me most was discovering the perfect balance between technical knowledge and business acumen. It wasn’t just about selling a product—it was about understanding the customer’s world, speaking their language, and offering real value. That intersection—where engineering met empathy—became my sweet spot.
I was fortunate to have an exceptional manager and a genuinely supportive team, which made all the difference. For someone new to the domain, having that ecosystem of encouragement and mentorship felt like a privilege. It gave me the confidence to explore, experiment, and grow.
By the third year, my curiosity had fully kicked in. I was no longer hesitant—I was hungry to learn more, do more, and contribute more. That drive led me to win an award at my very first private sector job—something I still hold close to my heart.
More than the recognition, it was the everyday learning—from peers, from customers, and from challenges—that cemented my commitment to this complex, dynamic, and rewarding field called Sales & Business Development.
Looking back, some lessons from those early years continue to guide me even today:
- Truly understand what the customer wants.
Go beyond surface-level needs—listen actively, ask the right questions, and uncover the deeper motivations behind every conversation. - Prioritize listening above all else.
Keep your ears and eyes open at all times. In BD, observation and active listening are often more powerful than any pitch. - Practice empathy—always.
Whether it’s your customer or your colleague, empathy builds trust, bridges gaps, and strengthens relationships. - Never compromise on ethics or integrity.
This applies equally to your personal values and business decisions. Integrity builds long-term credibility—and once lost, it’s hard to regain. - Everyone is your customer.
From clients to internal teams, treat every stakeholder with the same respect, commitment, and service mindset. - Accept rejection with grace—and learn from it.
Every ‘no’ is an opportunity to analyze, adapt, and improve. It’s never personal—it’s always a chance to grow. - Embrace failure as part of the journey.
In sales, setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how you respond—stay engaged, build rapport, and keep showing up.
While I’ve moved across organizations and grown in responsibility over the course of this near-decade-long journey, two things have remained constant:
> My love for the domain of Business Development, and the drive to grow businesses by truly addressing the needs of the countless end users I engage with daily. What keeps me energized is that these customers never fail to surprise me—with their challenges, their insights, and, most importantly, their trust. They believe I’ll return with a solution—and that trust fuels my determination to deliver.
> The unwavering support of my superiors, peers, and customers. Their encouragement, belief, and collaboration have propelled me forward, every single day. It’s this ecosystem of support that reinforces my belief that, no matter the challenge, I can make something work—not just for me, but for them.
One Response
Very well written and I am sure the insights shared will help many other professionals in nit just your field but in pursuing a goal in general .