When I was in banking, one of my roles was business development. Some of my peers were very transactionally oriented, but I typically tried to focus on a longer-term, relational approach.
I joined associations and groups to meet and see key people at significant companies frequently. I diligently and consistently tended to the relationships developed through those associations, knowing opportunities would come eventually. It took time, but my strategy was fruitful.
Proverbs 27:18 teaches, “One who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and one who cares for his master will be honored.”
Fig trees take two to five years of diligent effort to produce fruit. If you’re in a sales or business development role, a long-term relational approach can be more effective than a short-term transactional approach.
