A few months ago I wrote a Note about my latest (mildly
ridiculous) Thames Water job title : ‘Managing Director for Non House Hold
Retail (NHHR) and Commercial Director’. People kindly pointed out that it
was too long to be practical, that household is actually one word not two, and
that if I shortened it to the acronym MDFNHHRACD it would probably mean just as
much. I thanked them and moved on. Life was too short.
Now I am at Global Water Development I have a nice simple
title: Business Development Director. I like this title. It says what I
do. I am a salesman. A rain maker. A door-opener. I create opportunities, build
relationships, develop projects….
Not everyone likes this title. People have suggested that
‘Business Development’ says I am not a real power-brokers, that I don’t
have any real responsibility, that senior executives won’t take me
seriously. They may be right (although I believe the first 2 minutes in a
meeting are far more important than what is written on your card).
Alternative titles have been suggested, including Chief
Technology Officer. (I have always wanted to be a Chief. Do I get a squaw
and a tepee of my own?)
I like my Business Development title. I am a salesman and
proud of it. Without a good BD person nothing will happen. It’s the most
important role, not the least. My job is to open doors that are closed, to make
rain fall where there are deserts. I can think of nothing I would rather be
right now than a salesman for Global Water Development. It is my
calling….
Of course, deep deep down I know that no title can ever beat
MDFNHHRACD. A little bit of me misses it.
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