At AlphaKOR, our Business Development Managers play a key role in connecting our business with our clients and developing long-term, successful partnerships. Greg Dufour is a Business Development Manager at AlphaKOR and has been with us since September 2020. Greg brings his passion and experience to the role daily and is an integral member of the AlphaKOR team.
In this interview, I sit down with Greg to gain more insight into what the “average” day looks like in the Business Development Manager role, key qualities of success from Greg’s point of view, and the value of experience paired with education.
Meet Greg.
What drew you to the Business Development Manager position?
I have known about AlphaKOR for several years through my interactions with you, Frank. I saw the Business Development Manager position posted on LinkedIn, and at the time my previous employer had put me on furlough due to the COVID-19 outbreak, so I made the decision to explore this new, intriguing opportunity.
What educational background did you need to secure this role?
My educational background is based not on learning from a post-secondary institute alone. I do have a degree in business from the University of Windsor. I have also had several enterprising roles from Fortune 500 to small entrepreneur-based organizations to know I would have transferrable skills and abilities that can only come from experience.
What does the average day look like for you in your role?
This is a great question. To say a “normal day”, there is no such thing in our industry and the role we take in supporting our existing clients and the potential new clients we want to help with.
I am one who plans the day before with a few notes for the next days’ agenda. With coffee in hand, I arrive well before 8 AM and take care of some general housekeeping. From there, emails need to be addressed, following up the RFQ’s and any immediate concerns. I then have my agenda that I try and follow with my phone calls during the day. Flexibility in ‘changing on the fly’ as inquiries or issues present themselves randomly during the day. With restrictions in place for meeting clients, the use of Teams virtual meetings does have its place in my “normal day”.
Did you work in the IT industry prior to working at AlphaKOR?
No, I did not work in the IT industry prior to coming on board here at AlphaKOR. Mind you I have adapted in a positive way since my arrival.
What is it like working for an MSP?
Working for an MSP is almost like winning the lottery. What I mean is that the organization comprised of some 60 individuals can present value-added to any industry in any location. Technology drives our world and being an AlphaKorian, we do not sit and wait for things to happen- we make them happen.
How do you manage your time working for multiple clients?
I manage my time by being prepared in every way I can. It starts with an attitude that you must be flexible all the time. Being pulled in different directions at once can be intimidating, especially when some clients require more ’love’ than others. I also am a strong proponent of planning. Whether I look at my calendar’s agenda to taking an urgent call of desperation from the person on the other end of the phone. I must prioritize to be successful. Communication is the essential foundation of any role in any organization and at AlphaKOR we ensure that this is done.
What skillset is critical to your job as a Business Development Manager?
The skillset that is critical to my role is relationship building and conveying to my clients that I am that trusted advisor.
What key qualities do you think a good Business Development Manager possesses?
A key quality I think a good Business Development Manager makes is the willingness to say “I may not have an answer right away, but I will find that answer”. Patience is another strong attribute in us as sales professionals who want results right away. However, the client has protocols of their own that must be followed to secure the sale.
Most importantly, I find one crucial quality that stands out for me. ‘Follow-up, follow-up, and follow-up!” If this is not done by communicating back to my clients, I have failed AlphaKOR and myself.
What is the most exciting part about your job?
The most exciting part of my role here at AlphaKOR is the interaction I have with a variety of highly skilled individuals who all want to do what is best for the client and AlphaKOR. I look at it as a “Win /Win situation.”
What is the least exciting part of your job?
The least exciting part of my job is that I am always trying to learn, and learning takes time. Being a driven person that wants to succeed both as an AlphaKorian and as a person, things do not happen immediately. I must learn to be patient, and make sure that when I fall to get right back up and endure.
How do you hope to grow in your field of work?
I hope to grow in my field of work to become the best I can become. There are so many facets of this role that may seem overwhelming but make it fun and it is all good!
What have you learned at AlphaKOR that has helped you grow personally?
I have learned at AlphaKOR that we all have skills and abilities that when put together make for a successful business with partners who want what is best for AlphaKOR, our families and the clients and the communities we live in.
For someone who would like to obtain a position as a Business Development Manager, what advice would you give to them?
The advice I would give them is to ‘want’ to do this. There are some things you can teach, and some things must be experienced. Keeping a positive attitude is essential and admitting that we are all human and make mistakes.
Careers in Business Technology
Are you an energetic and passionate individual who thrives on providing excellent service to both clients and fellow staff? If so, we want AlphaKOR to be the place you want to work. We want you to love your job. Because when you love your job, you’ll do great things. Come and do great things with us! To view our current openings, please visit our Career Opportunities page.