Know the Source of Business



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One of the first questions we ask a prospect or new client is, “How did you get the business you have so far?” Some can answer exactly. Others aren’t as certain.

When we begin our first discussions with a new client, our preferred modus operandi is to set up a program that allows us to talk to their customers who will give us a comprehensive view of our client’s business. If we can’t talk to customers right away and find out why they selected our client and what the experience has been, we must rely on the information our client provides us.

Business executives who are responsible for business planning should know the source of all their business. Knowing the incoming traffic patterns for new business is critical to knowing how to increase those traffic lanes. A senior partner at one very large and prominent law firm was bemoaning the fact that revenues were slipping, business development was slipping, and partner polish was… well, not very polished anymore. When we asked where they got most of their business he said he didn’t know. As a starting point, knowing all sources of business would be of great value to him as he makes business planning decisions for a new year.

If you know how and why you got most of your business, you’ll have solid clues about how to get more. Another Davis, Kingsley & Company client had been spending considerable amounts of money and energy courting bankers. We assumed those relationships were of benefit to them so we commented to their president, “Bankers must be a reliable source of new business for your firm.” His reply was, “The greatest percentage of our business comes from referrals from lawyers.” His reply showed me they were not directing their time toward a market that offered the value they need. They were more comfortable building relationships with bankers than with lawyers but it was costing them money and time. Those are misdirected energies. It seemed obvious to us – from our perspective as outside advisors - but it was a blind spot for them.

Many companies know exactly where they get their business and who brings it in. And they know that this information may change over time. They have programs and processes to help them focus on those sources to continually audit their business development trails. If you have responsibilities for the growth of the company, do you know specifically where, how and through whom your company derives every bit of its business?



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It is that time of the year. You are most likely sitting down with each of your team members and are helping them with their personal development plans. On this episode of AlignIT Manager Tech Talk, Ruth and I talk with Stuart Ngai about the importance of training as part of personal development, as well as when and how training can and should be weaved into employees’ busy schedules.

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Featured Guest: Stuart Ngai

Stuart Ngai, Director of Technology Solutions at VERAX, is an IT professional with over 25 years of experience. As a development manager, lead enterprise architect, and a Senior Leadership Member, Stuart has led the delivery of many leading edge systems through several technology eras and guided many IT professionals in enriching and re-energizing their careers. With 7 years teaching software courses at Seneca College of Applied Sciences followed by another 7 years teaching software engineering courses for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto, personal development through perpetual training has been a theme in which Stuart helped many IT professionals to achieve and sustain their career growth. Stuart is a certified P. Eng. and PMP with a Masters degree in Engineering from McGill University and a management degree from McGill's School of Management. He has been with the software consulting firm VERAX Solutions Corporation in Toronto since 1993 focusing on building strong delivery teams and delivering results to their customers in the financial sector.

About AlignIT Manager Tech Talk

The AlignIT Manager Tech Talk is a monthly live streamed video series hosted by Ruth Morton (LinkedIn) and Jonathan Rozenblit (LinkedIn). Each Tech Talk episode airs on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 12:00pm to 12:30pm ET. The show focuses on a range of topics for both infrastructure and development managers and is interactive, taking questions via a live chat and providing answers on air.

About AlignIT

The AlignIT program is dedicated to keeping IT leaders informed about what matters in business and technology. We do that through in-person events, web casts, our blog and, of course, this audio and video series. You can find more information about the Align IT program at www.alignit.ca. If you have comments, suggestions, and ideas for future topics please let us know by connecting with us via email, Twitter, or LinkedIn.



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