

Investing in business development skills is essential if you want to excel in today’s competitive legal landscape. In the legal industry, business development goes beyond winning cases or mastering the law; it involves fostering client relationships, building a strong network, and strategically positioning for growth. At Baker Mckenzie it is crucial that we embed and develop BD skills across our growing population and own business development. If we all improve our ability to:
Develop our brand
Build deeper client relationships Create opportunities
Identify a compelling value proposition Communicate and influence stakeholders
Negotiate effectively
Think strategically
We continue to build on our success and grow our firm for years to come. In a field where credibility and connections are paramount, these skills aren’t just valuable—they’re essential.
There are so many ways to develop BD skills, ranging from the individual to the collective:
Benchmarking and self-awareness for the individuals to identify BD skills and understand their areas of growth and development. A key criterion to measure ROI.
Evergreen and ‘ever on’ immersive digital assets e.g. eLearning, animations and videos that meet a variety of learning styles and embed the content.
Peer to peer coaching opportunities are organized to prompt sharing across areas of Baker McKenzie.
For continuous ongoing accountability, shared support and peer learning. To keep learners on track with their development and provide the space, time and framework around the content and practice.
Sessions sharing concepts, theories and research on leadership practices. Providing stimulus for further discussion and application.
These practice sessions put BD skills to the test and give you feedback on your strengths and areas to improve. Powerful experiences to bring the content and skills to life. E.g. Corporate actor simulations on pitching or negotiations.
Lessons from Partners (and others) across Baker McKenzie, focusing on BD and sharing stories, learnings and insight.
Large scale sessions bringing lots of people together to hear from those with expertise and learn from each other as a community.
The mindset drives the ‘why’ and vision
Start with the mindset shift to embrace growth and proactive engagement
Bespoke Evaluator Tool
Identify areas for growth
Bespoke Evaluator Tool
Identify areas for growth Live Virtual Workshops The Value of BD
Potential Topics
Beyond Billable Hour: The BD Mindset
The Art of the Pitch: Communicate Value
Rejection to Revenue: Turn No into your next Opportunity
The skillset provides the ‘how’ and practical execution
Embed the skillset to execute strategies effectively, build relationships, and drive tangible results.
PERSONALISED
Develop Your Personal Brand
Digital Assets
Virtual Workshops Application Sessions
Develop Your Personal Brand
Digital Assets
Live Virtual Workshops
Live Application Sessions
Select sessions to develop skills (Hosted on Learning Hub)
Create unique pathways of digital assets/ virtual workshops or application simulations