Business Development

You're likely to focus on building long-term relationships with customers rather than hitting one-off targets. You'll work closely with customers, acting as an all-round business consultant to identify how they can make their daily operations smoother. Typically, you'll start out as a Sales/Business Development Intern, selling services in a particular business sector – Hotels, Restaurants, Spas and Gyms. You'll be responsible for developing existing customer relationships and finding new customers. At first under supervision of your manager, your specific duties are likely to include: • Maintaining and developing relationships with existing customers • Making accurate, rapid cost calculations • Providing customers with quotations • Negotiating the terms of an agreement and closing sales • Gathering market and customer information • Providing feedback on future buying trends • Representing your organisation at trade exhibitions, events and demonstrations • Negotiating variations in price, delivery and specifications with your company's managers • Advising on forthcoming product developments and discussing special promotions • Liaising with concerned teams to check on the progress of existing orders • Understanding and preparing various Sales reports • Reviewing your own sales performance, against targets as you gain experience You'll work alongside other team members, such as Procurement, Operations and Logistics experts, as in many companies, Sales is now a team process.