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RED SAGSkills
hardBusiness Development Manager interview question

Describe how you would manage an enterprise deal with eight stakeholders, including one who is against your solution.

What the interviewer wants to hear

  • Map stakeholders: roles, influence, attitude
  • Multi-thread and build a champion
  • Understand and address the blocker concerns directly
  • Tailor value to each stakeholder
  • Use a mutual action plan to manage process

Model answer

I would start with a stakeholder map: each person, their role in the decision, how much influence they have, and whether they support, are neutral or oppose us. I would make sure I am connected to several people, not only one contact, so the deal does not depend on a single relationship. I would work closely with a champion who has influence and coach them on making the internal case. For the person against us, I would ask for a direct meeting to understand their concerns. Often it is risk, workload or loyalty to another vendor. I would address that with evidence, references or a pilot, or involve our experts. Each stakeholder gets value framed for their priorities. A mutual action plan would keep everyone aligned on steps and dates.

Can you answer it under time pressure?

Take a timed hard round and get scored on every answer.

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