What is business development, and why do you think it’s a great place to start your career?
Business development is really about building relationships and creating opportunities for the company. It involves identifying potential clients, understanding their needs, and showing how your solution can help solve their challenges. What makes it such a great starting point in a career is that you’re exposed to so many aspects of a business from day one. You learn how to communicate with clients, how to think strategically, and how to drive tangible results. It’s a role that teaches you how businesses grow.
The BD Grad Program is about driving the company’s growth, not just doing sales. How would you explain the difference between sales and business development?
Sales is mostly about closing deals and bringing in revenue right away. Business development, on the other hand, is a bit broader. It’s about creating long-term value by building partnerships, nurturing client relationships, or tapping into new markets. In the BD Graduate Program, we cover both. Grads learn how to pitch and close deals while also developing strategic thinking and relationship-building skills. It’s the best of both worlds.
With over 20 years of leadership experience in high-growth startups, what makes Consultport an exciting place for professional growth in your opinion?
The biggest factor is the potential—for both the people and the company. We’re a dynamic startup right in the middle of Berlin’s startup scene, but we have a global mindset. This international focus and ambitious attitude create plenty of opportunities for personal growth.
At Consultport, people get the chance to take on responsibility early, which means they can learn and grow much faster than they might in a more traditional corporate environment. It’s a place where taking initiative is encouraged, and career progress comes naturally.
You’ve worked with a lot of young graduates starting their careers, and now you’re in charge of the BD Grad Program at Consultport. What makes this opportunity unique?
It’s not common to find an 18-month structured training program in sales and business development at a successful startup. But what really sets this program apart is the mentorship. Right from the start, graduates get to work closely with the two founders and VPs. That kind of guidance early on can make a big difference in building a strong career foundation.
Also, being part of an international program means you get to work with a diverse group of motivated people. You get the chance to learn from each other, support one another, and build practical skills together.
The BD Grad program gives graduates the chance to connect with top decision-makers from global companies. What are the most important skills they develop?
Graduates build a solid understanding of the whole business development process—from getting to know client strategies to mastering sales techniques. But it’s not just about technical skills. They also learn how to stay persistent, listen actively, and organize their outreach in a way that gets results.
These skills aren’t just useful for business development roles—they’re valuable for any client-facing job or leadership path.
How does this program set young graduates up for long-term success in business development?
The BD Grad Program teaches best practices in sales and business development from the ground up, giving graduates a solid toolkit they can use throughout their careers. Whether they stick with business development or move to other areas, they’ll have the skills, mindset, and experience to excel in key business roles. Considering that the majority of CEOs today either come from sales or finance backgrounds it offers our BD Gradudates a great springboard for future top management positions where they can go all the way to the top in their future careers.
What kind of opportunities can graduates expect after completing the program?
We’re a young company growing fast, and this program is designed with future leadership in mind. Our goal is to develop the next generation of leaders at Consultport. If graduates hit their targets and show the right attitude, they’ll quickly move into more senior roles. That could mean taking over key client accounts, leading a team, or even stepping into a Director position within a few years. It’s a high-growth path for those ready to take ownership and deliver results.
What advice would you give to young graduates looking to build a successful career in business development?
Focus on what you’re naturally good at—your strengths—and make the most of them. At the same time, recognize your weaknesses and find ways to improve. Remember that sales is a long game—it takes time and consistency. Every “no” is just one step closer to a “yes,” so stay focused on the big picture and keep learning as you go. If you’re ready to take on challenges, work with an exceptional team, and shape the future of consulting, Consultport’s BD Grad Program is the made for you!
Join us: https://consultport.com/careers/
