Method 1: Market analysis and target group definition
Every business development strategy begins with a thorough analysis of the market.
This involves identifying trends, competitors, and customer needs.
Tools such as surveys, SWOT analyses, PESTLE analyses, and Porter’s Five Forces help to systematically identify opportunities and risks.
The central role of surveys:
Online surveys of existing and potential customers provide valuable insights into current needs, decision-making factors, and satisfaction with existing offerings.
Sample survey questions:
- “What challenges are you currently facing in your business area?”
- “What criteria are most important to you when selecting a provider?”
- “How satisfied are you with our current offering (on a scale of 1–10)?”
This information allows you to define target groups more precisely and develop more targeted offerings.
Method 2: Building strategic partnerships
Cooperation with other companies, institutions, or service providers can unleash enormous synergies.
Careful selection of potential partners whose values, goals, and target groups are compatible is crucial.
How do surveys help?
Internal surveys of employees and external stakeholders can reveal which partnerships are considered particularly promising.
Sample survey questions:
- “Which companies or industries do you see as having the greatest potential for strategic alliances?”
- “Which collaborations could most meaningfully complement our portfolio?”
These assessments help prioritize partnerships based on real needs and perceptions.
Method 3: Innovation and product development
Business development is closely linked to innovation.
Companies that continuously improve their products and services or adapt them to new market requirements secure competitive advantages for themselves.
Customer surveys as a driver of innovation:
Customer surveys are ideal for obtaining direct feedback on existing products or validating ideas for new offerings.
Sample survey questions:
- “What features would you like to see in our product in the future?”
- “Would you use feature X if we introduced it?”
- “What do you currently find lacking in our service?”
This way, innovation is not left to chance, but is specifically tailored to the target group.
Method 4: Internationalization
Expanding into international markets offers growth potential, but requires careful planning.
Surveys of existing international customers or local market studies can help you understand cultural differences and specific requirements.
Sample survey questions in the run-up to internationalization:
- “How well known is our company/your need for our products in your region?”
- “Which local suppliers do you currently use and why?”
- “Which payment and delivery methods do you prefer?”
Such surveys allow market entry strategies to be developed precisely and with minimal risk.
Method 5: Digital tools and automation
Digital technologies are essential for scaling business development.
CRM systems and automation tools enable data-driven decisions—and this is where surveys come into play.
Integration of feedback tools such as easyfeedback:
Modern CRM or email marketing systems make it possible to send automated surveys after a purchase or in response to specific events – for example:
- “How likely are you to recommend us to others?” (Net Promoter Score)
- “How would you rate your last contact with our support team?”
- “What can we do to improve your experience?”
Continuous feedback like this strengthens customer loyalty and provides impetus for further development.
Conclusion
Business development is a complex but rewarding field for any company.
The strategies described—from market analysis and partnerships to internationalization—are particularly successful when based on sound information.
Surveys play a key role in this.
They enable companies to respond to real data and needs rather than just making assumptions.
Companies that systematically use surveys make better decisions, develop more relevant products, and build deeper relationships with customers and partners.
Anyone who takes business development seriously cannot ignore the opinion of their target group—and that is precisely where the real competitive advantage begins.
