Business Development is one of the most important - and most misunderstood - concepts in modern business. Too often, it is confused with sales, strategy, partnerships, innovation, or vague growth activities.
This book brings clarity. It shows what Business Development really is: a distinct organisational capability for identifying, preparing, qualifying, and supporting growth opportunities before major strategic commitments are made.
Generative AI is transforming how organisations analyse markets, explore opportunities, test assumptions, and prepare decisions. It does not replace managerial judgment - it strengthens disciplined Business Development.
No hype. No technical overload. Just practical clarity in 100 minutes.
What you'll get in 100 minutes:
- A clear definition of Business Development - and what it is not
- Practical distinctions between BD, Strategy, Sales, Product Development, and Innovation
- Practical guidance for reducing uncertainty before strategic commitment
For managers, executives, BD professionals, consultants, students, and early-career professionals seeking to prepare growth opportunities more clearly, evaluate them more realistically, and pursue them more coherently.
Endorsements
'This book takes a very practical and pragmatic approach to real world application of AI in a BD setting. An excellent primer for both budding as well as seasoned BD professionals.'
Henrik Schmidt, CEO Malsen Medical, former SVP at Roche Diagnostics
'We need to update BD into an AI-enabled world - the book presents business development for business development.'
Thomas Ritter, Prof. of Strategy and Innovation, Copenhagen Business School
The authors
Hans Eibe Sørensen is a Danish business development scholar, author, and executive. He has contributed pioneering research on Business Development performance and data-driven growth and currently serves as CEO of GreenCow Biosolutions.
Marc Oliver Opresnik is the creator of the PIVOTAL Infinity Marketing Canvas(R) and founder of PIVOTAL Thinking. He is Distinguished Professor of Marketing at Technische Hochschule Lübeck, Honorary Professor at NDIM New Delhi, and co-author of several international bestsellers with marketing legend Philip Kotler. In addition, he is Global Thought Leader at the LSE Academic Speakers Bureau and is recognized as one of the world's most influential voices in purpose-driven marketing, strategy, and leadership.
Svend Hollensen is an Associate Professor of International Marketing at the University of Southern Denmark. He is the author of globally published textbooks and several articles in well-recognised journals. Svend Hollensen has also worked as a consultant for several multinational companies, as well as global organizations.
