Business Development

Business Development Skill 🤝

Turn your AI agent into a strategic growth partner. Research markets, identify partnerships, analyze competitors, and generate compelling proposals that open doors.

What This Skill Does

✅ Partnership Outreach — Identify, research, and approach potential partners ✅ Market Research — Analyze market size, trends, and opportunities ✅ Competitor Analysis — Track competitors and identify advantages ✅ Proposal Generation — Create compelling partnership and business proposals ✅ Opportunity Tracking — Manage BD pipeline from lead to deal ✅ Strategic Planning — Support business expansion decisions

Quick Start

• Configure your BD focus in TOOLS.md:
• ### Business Development
• Target markets: [Industries/Geographies]
• Partnership types: [Integration/Reseller/Co-marketing/etc.]
• Competitor watch list: [Key competitors]
• Proposal templates: [Location]
• Set up your workspace:
• ./scripts/bd-init.sh
• Start building partnerships!

Partnership Types

TypeDescriptionValue PropositionIntegrationTechnical product connectionExpand functionality, reach new usersReseller/DistributionSell through partnersAccess new channels, scale fasterCo-MarketingJoint marketing effortsShare audiences, reduce CACReferralLead sharingLower-friction partnershipStrategicDeep collaborationMarket expansion, shared resourcesWhite-LabelRebrand product for partnerNew revenue stream

Partner Qualification Framework

PARTNER Score: CriteriaQuestionWeightPotentialWhat's the upside?20%AlignmentDo goals/values match?20%ReachWhat audience can they access?15%TimingAre they ready now?15%NeedDo they need what we offer?15%ExperienceHave they done this before?10%RiskWhat could go wrong?5% Score 70+: Prioritize actively Score 50-70: Keep warm Score <50: Deprioritize

Partner Profile Template

• # Partner Profile: [Company Name]
• ## Overview
• **Company:** [Name]
• **Website:** [URL]
• **Industry:** [Industry]
• **Size:** [Employees / Revenue if known]
• **Founded:** [Year]
• **HQ:** [Location]
• ## Key Contacts
• **Primary:** [Name, Title, Email, LinkedIn]
• **Secondary:** [Name, Title, Email, LinkedIn]
• ## Their Business
• **What they do:** [Description]
• **Target customers:** [Who they serve]
• **Key products:** [Products/Services]
• **Competitive advantage:** [What makes them different]
• ## Partnership Opportunity
• **Type:** [Integration/Reseller/Co-marketing/etc.]
• **Value to them:** [What we offer]
• **Value to us:** [What they offer]
• **Synergy:** [How we complement each other]
• ## Qualification (PARTNER Score)
• Potential: [X/10] — [Notes]
• Alignment: [X/10] — [Notes]
• Reach: [X/10] — [Notes]
• Timing: [X/10] — [Notes]
• Need: [X/10] — [Notes]
• Experience: [X/10] — [Notes]
• Risk: [X/10] — [Notes]
• **Total:** [X/70]
• ## Research Notes
• [Relevant findings from research]
• ## Status & Next Steps
• **Current stage:** [Prospect/Outreach/Discussion/Negotiation/Active]
• **Last contact:** [Date]
• **Next action:** [Action] — Due: [Date]

Outreach Sequence

Phase 1: Research (Before Contact) Company website deep dive Key personnel LinkedIn research Recent news/press releases Existing partnerships they have Mutual connections check Their tech stack (if relevant) Phase 2: Initial Outreach Email Template: Subject: Partnership idea: [Specific value proposition] Hi [Name], [Personalized observation showing you did research — reference something specific they did/said]. I lead BD at [Your Company]. We [brief description of what you do] for [target customers]. I noticed [observation about their business] and think there's an interesting opportunity to [specific partnership concept]. [One sentence on mutual benefit — what's in it for them + what's in it for you]. Would you be open to a quick call to explore? Best, [Your name] Phase 3: Follow-up Day 5: Subject: Re: Partnership idea Hi [Name], Wanted to follow up on my note below. I've been thinking more about how [specific idea] could work. [Add one more value point or insight]. Worth 15 minutes to discuss? [Your name] Day 12 (Value-add): Subject: [Relevant resource/insight] Hi [Name], Found this [article/report/insight] and thought of you: [link] [Brief tie to why it's relevant to potential partnership]. Still think there's something interesting here if you're open to exploring. [Your name]

Partnership Meeting Agenda

• # Partnership Discussion: [Company]
• **Date:** [Date]
• **Attendees:** [Names]
• ## Agenda (30 min)
• 1. **Intros** (5 min)
• - Background on each company
• - Roles in the partnership
• 2. **Opportunity Discussion** (10 min)
• - Partnership concept
• - Mutual value proposition
• - Initial scope
• 3. **Alignment Check** (10 min)
• - Goals and expectations
• - Potential challenges
• - Resources needed
• 4. **Next Steps** (5 min)
• - Action items
• - Timeline
• - Next meeting
• ## Questions to Ask
• What would success look like for you?
• What's your typical partnership process?
• Who else needs to be involved?
• What's your timeline for decision?

Market Research Framework

• 1. Market Sizing (TAM/SAM/SOM)
• MetricDefinitionHow to CalculateTAMTotal Addressable MarketTotal revenue if you had 100% market shareSAMServiceable Addressable MarketPortion you can actually reachSOMServiceable Obtainable MarketRealistic near-term capture
• 2. Market Analysis Template
• # Market Research: [Market/Industry]
• ## Executive Summary
• [2-3 sentences on key findings and opportunity]
• ## Market Size
• **TAM:** $[X]B (global, all segments)
• **SAM:** $[X]M (your reachable market)
• **SOM:** $[X]M (realistic 3-year target)
• ## Market Dynamics
• **Growth rate:** [X]% CAGR
• **Key drivers:** [List]
• **Key barriers:** [List]
• ## Customer Segments
• | Segment | Size | Growth | Our Fit |
• |---------|------|--------|---------|
• | [Segment] | $[X]M | [X]% | High/Med/Low |
• ## Competitive Landscape
• [Overview of key players]
• ## Trends
• 1. **[Trend]:** [Impact on us]
• 2. **[Trend]:** [Impact on us]
• ## Opportunities
• 1. [Opportunity description]
• 2. [Opportunity description]
• ## Threats
• 1. [Threat description]
• 2. [Threat description]
• ## Recommendations
• 1. [Action to take]
• 2. [Action to take]
• ## Sources
• [Source 1]
• [Source 2]

Research Sources

TypeSourcesBest ForIndustry reportsGartner, Forrester, IBISWorldMarket size, trendsFinancial dataSEC filings, Crunchbase, PitchBookCompany dataNewsGoogle News, industry publicationsRecent developmentsSocialLinkedIn, Twitter/XSentiment, personnelTechnicalG2, Capterra, BuiltWithProduct researchPrimaryInterviews, surveysDeep insights

Competitor Profile Template

• # Competitor Analysis: [Company Name]
• ## Overview
• **Company:** [Name]
• **Website:** [URL]
• **Founded:** [Year]
• **Funding:** [Stage/Amount]
• **Employees:** [Count]
• **HQ:** [Location]
• ## Product/Service
• **Core offering:** [Description]
• **Key features:** [List]
• **Pricing:** [Model and tiers]
• **Target customers:** [Segments]
• ## Strengths
• 1. [Strength]
• 2. [Strength]
• ## Weaknesses
• 1. [Weakness]
• 2. [Weakness]
• ## Market Position
• **Market share:** [Estimate]
• **Brand perception:** [How they're seen]
• **Key differentiator:** [What makes them unique]
• ## Recent Moves
• [Recent news/launch/change]
• ## Their Customers
• [Notable customers if known]
• ## How We Compare
• | Factor | Us | Them | Advantage |
• |--------|-----|------|-----------|
• | [Factor] | [Our position] | [Their position] | Us/Them/Tie |
• ## Battlecard (for sales)
• **When we win against them:** [Scenarios]
• **When we lose against them:** [Scenarios]
• **Key talking points:** [What to emphasize]
• **Their objections to us:** [How to counter]

Competitive Landscape Matrix

• # Competitive Landscape: [Category]
• ## Positioning Map
• High Price
• |
• [Premium] | [Enterprise]
• Competitor A | Competitor B
• |
• Low Complexity -----|------ High Complexity
• |
• [Budget] | [Niche]
• Competitor C | Competitor D
• |
• Low Price
• ## Feature Comparison
• | Feature | Us | Comp A | Comp B | Comp C |
• |---------|-----|--------|--------|--------|
• | [Feature 1] | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
• | [Feature 2] | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
• | [Feature 3] | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
• ## Summary
• **Our primary competition:** [Company]
• **Our differentiation:** [Key differentiator]
• **Market gaps we can exploit:** [Opportunities]

Proposal Structure

• # Partnership Proposal: [Your Company] × [Partner Company]
• ## Executive Summary
• [1 paragraph overview of the opportunity and mutual value]
• ---
• ## The Opportunity
• ### Market Context
• [Brief market opportunity both companies can address]
• ### Why Now
• [Timing factors that make this partnership timely]
• ---
• ## The Partnership
• ### Concept
• [Clear description of what you're proposing]
• ### Value to [Partner]
• 1. [Benefit 1]
• 2. [Benefit 2]
• 3. [Benefit 3]
• ### Value to [Your Company]
• 1. [Benefit 1]
• 2. [Benefit 2]
• 3. [Benefit 3]
• ---
• ## How It Works
• ### Integration/Collaboration Model
• [Technical or operational details of how partnership functions]
• ### Roles & Responsibilities
• | Area | [Your Company] | [Partner] |
• |------|----------------|-----------|
• | [Area] | [Responsibility] | [Responsibility] |
• ### Timeline
• **Phase 1 (Months 1-2):** [Activities]
• **Phase 2 (Months 3-4):** [Activities]
• **Phase 3 (Months 5+):** [Activities]
• ---
• ## Commercial Terms
• ### Revenue/Value Share
• [Proposed commercial arrangement]
• ### Investment Required
• | Item | [Your Company] | [Partner] |
• |------|----------------|-----------|
• | [Resource] | [Commitment] | [Commitment] |
• ---
• ## Success Metrics
• | Metric | Target (Year 1) | How Measured |
• |--------|-----------------|--------------|
• | [Metric] | [Target] | [Measurement] |
• ---
• ## Risk Mitigation
• | Risk | Mitigation |
• |------|------------|
• | [Risk] | [How we address it] |
• ---
• ## About [Your Company]
• [Brief company overview, relevant traction, why you're a good partner]
• ---
• ## Next Steps
• 1. [Proposed next step]
• 2. [Proposed next step]
• ---
• **Contact:**
• [Name]
• [Title]
• [Email]
• [Phone]

Proposal Best Practices

Lead with their value — Partner's benefits first Be specific — Vague proposals get ignored Show you understand them — Reference their business Make it easy — Clear next steps Keep it scannable — Execs skim Include social proof — Other partnerships, traction Address risk — Show you've thought it through

Pipeline Stages

StageDefinitionExit CriteriaResearchIdentifying and qualifying prospectsProfile complete, score >50OutreachInitial contact attemptsResponse receivedDiscussionExploring mutual interestAligned on conceptProposalFormal proposal submittedProposal deliveredNegotiationTerms discussionTerms agreedLegalContracts in reviewSigned agreementActivePartnership liveLaunched

Pipeline Tracking

• # BD Pipeline — [Month/Quarter]
• ## Summary
• Total opportunities: [X]
• Pipeline value: $[X] (potential annual value)
• Weighted value: $[X]
• Expected closes this quarter: [X]
• ## By Stage
• ### Research ([X])
• | Partner | Type | PARTNER Score | Next Action |
• |---------|------|---------------|-------------|
• | [Name] | [Type] | [X/70] | [Action] |
• ### Outreach ([X])
• | Partner | Type | Outreach # | Last Contact |
• |---------|------|------------|--------------|
• | [Name] | [Type] | [1/2/3] | [Date] |
• ### Discussion ([X])
• | Partner | Type | Est. Value | Next Meeting |
• |---------|------|------------|--------------|
• | [Name] | [Type] | $[X] | [Date] |
• ### Proposal ([X])
• | Partner | Type | Proposal Date | Decision Expected |
• |---------|------|---------------|-------------------|
• | [Name] | [Type] | [Date] | [Date] |
• ## Stale Opportunities (>30 days no activity)
• | Partner | Stage | Last Activity | Action |
• |---------|-------|---------------|--------|

SWOT Analysis Template

• # SWOT Analysis: [Initiative/Partnership/Market]
• ## Strengths (Internal, Positive)
• [Strength 1]
• [Strength 2]
• ## Weaknesses (Internal, Negative)
• [Weakness 1]
• [Weakness 2]
• ## Opportunities (External, Positive)
• [Opportunity 1]
• [Opportunity 2]
• ## Threats (External, Negative)
• [Threat 1]
• [Threat 2]
• ## Strategic Implications
• **Leverage:** [Use strengths to capture opportunities]
• **Improve:** [Address weaknesses to enable opportunities]
• **Defend:** [Use strengths to mitigate threats]
• **Watch:** [Monitor weakness × threat combinations]

Decision Framework

• For major BD decisions, use:
• # Decision: [What we're deciding]
• ## Context
• [Background and why this decision is needed]
• ## Options
• 1. **[Option A]:** [Description]
• 2. **[Option B]:** [Description]
• 3. **[Option C]:** [Description]
• ## Evaluation
• | Criteria | Weight | Option A | Option B | Option C |
• |----------|--------|----------|----------|----------|
• | [Criteria 1] | [X]% | [Score] | [Score] | [Score] |
• | [Criteria 2] | [X]% | [Score] | [Score] | [Score] |
• | **Weighted Total** | | [Total] | [Total] | [Total] |
• ## Recommendation
• [Option X] because [reasoning]
• ## Risks & Mitigations
• [Risk]: [Mitigation]
• ## Next Steps
• 1. [Action]
• 2. [Action]

bd-init.sh

Initialize your BD workspace with templates and tracking.

partner-research.sh

Quick partner research and profile generation. # Research a company ./scripts/partner-research.sh "Company Name" # Generate partner profile ./scripts/partner-research.sh "Company Name" --profile

pipeline-report.sh

Generate BD pipeline reports. # Weekly pipeline summary ./scripts/pipeline-report.sh weekly # Quarterly review ./scripts/pipeline-report.sh quarterly

Best Practices

Research before outreach — Personalized > Generic Lead with value — What's in it for them? Build relationships, not transactions — Long-term thinking Document everything — Conversations, decisions, context Follow up persistently — Most deals need 5+ touchpoints Know your competition — Updated battlecards win deals Start small — Pilot before big commitment Measure what matters — Partners closed, not meetings held

Common Mistakes

❌ Pitching too early — Understand their needs first ❌ Overselling — Under-promise, over-deliver ❌ Ignoring internal champions — Find and nurture them ❌ No mutual accountability — Both sides need commitments ❌ Slow follow-up — Momentum matters ❌ Vague proposals — Specific asks get specific answers

License

License: MIT — use freely, modify, distribute. "Opportunities don't happen, you create them." — Chris Grosser