Description

The Professional Diploma in Business Development is a comprehensive training qualification designed for aspiring and current sales and marketing professionals seeking to advance into the dynamic role of a Business Development Manager. This program equips learners with the core principles and practical tools needed to identify new market opportunities, drive strategic growth, and contribute meaningfully to organizational success. Through a curated blend of foundational and advanced courses—including Marketing and Sales Management, Market Analysis, Business Case Writing, and International Business—this professional diploma offers a structured pathway into one of the most in-demand career roles in modern business.

On successful completion of this program, candidates will be awarded the CERTIFIED  BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL credential.

Who Should Enrol in the Diploma in Business Development?

This Diploma in Business Development is suitable for:

• Sales and Marketing Professionals aiming to transition into strategic roles.
• Business Coaches and Consultants seeking validated frameworks for client advisory.
• Entrepreneurs and Startups building scalable growth strategies.
• Corporate Managers expanding into international markets.
• Career Changers seeking an accelerated entry into business development careers.

Program Details

• Program Type: Professional Credential
• Offered by: Global Management Academy
• Level: Experienced Sales and Marketing Professionals and Business Coaches / Consultants
• Courses: 8 (see course details below)
• Learning: 100% Online, Self-Paced, 24/7 Learning Access
• CPD Hours: 160 Hours (each course takes approx. 12 to 20 hours to complete)
• Duration: 6 Months (avg. time to complete 3 months)
• Certification: GMA Certified Business Development Professional Credentials
• Role Fit: Business Development Manager

Learning Goals

Graduates of the Diploma in Business Development gain the ability to:

• Identify, evaluate, and capture new business opportunities.
• Conduct rigorous market and competitive analysis using tools like SWOT, PESTLE, and customer segmentation.
• Develop actionable marketing plans and business cases.
• Design and launch new ventures or product lines.
• Build international market strategies and manage cross-border growth.
• Lead sales and marketing integration for sustainable revenue expansion.

This program translates strategic theory into commercial capability — empowering learners to operate confidently as business development professionals in any market environment.

Key Benefits of enrolling in the Diploma in Business Development

Upon completing the Diploma in Business Development, learners will acquire a powerful combination of knowledge and applied skills essential for succeeding in business development roles.

• Market Analysis: Graduates will develop a deep understanding of how to assess markets, create strategic marketing plans, and launch new ventures with confidence.
• Analytical Thinking: The curriculum also strengthens analytical thinking, communication, and decision-making abilities through real-world case studies and practical assignments.
• Operate in International Markets: Additionally, the international business and marketing modules prepare learners to operate effectively in global markets, a critical asset in today’s interconnected economy.
• Career Growth: Step into leadership roles such as Business Development Manager, Growth Strategist, or Marketing Director.
• Global Relevance: Skills applicable across industries and borders.
• Credibility: The Certified Business Development Professional credential signals capability and professionalism.

Whether seeking career progression, a sector change, or a competitive edge in job applications, the Global professional diploma in business development provides the credentials, capabilities, and confidence to excel as a Business Development Manager.

Program Content

The Diploma in Business Development comprises eight integrated courses, each addressing a key competency area within modern business development practice.

COURSE 1: FOUNDATIONS IN MARKETING

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COURSE 2: FOUNDATIONS IN SALES MANAGEMENT

On completion of this course, you will be able to plan for and make sales calls and carry out sales visits with more confidence, and professionalism. You will be able to make effective sales pitches, and handle potential buyer objections. You will learn how to close deals effectively, and follow up to ensure customer commitment and retention. In all, you will have greater success with your sales activities.

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COURSE 3: MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Market Assessment is the foundation for developing a Marketing Strategy and Marketing Plan for your business. In conducting market assessment, you will gain an in depth understanding of the business environment you are currently and planning to operate in. You will also gain insight into the competitive environment, and the potential of your business to succeed. A further area of research which you will apply in this course is into your customers, where you will learn techniques for analyzing your customer base, their buying preferences, and the contribution to your profitability. This information, will form the foundation for developing a strong marketing strategy, which will ensure you optimize your potential, and build your growth on a well informed basis, providing more assurance of your success.

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COURSE 4: DEVELOPING A MARKETING PLAN

The Global Marketing Planning course is designed to enable you to create a solid marketing strategy and generate numbers and action items to help you make your strategy real. In this course, you will apply the information you have acquired and framed about your markets, customers and opportunity portfolio, to the development of a strong marketing strategy. You will use this strategy to develop marketing tactics – the 4 p’s (product positioning, pricing strategies, place – distribution channels, and promotion – public relations, branding and advertising tactics), set realistic sales targets, and set and get support for your marketing budget. The product of this course will be a fully viable 3 year marketing plan, which you can use grow your business, and gather support from your stakeholders, whether senior managers or investors.

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COURSE 5: DEVELOP AND MARKET NEW VENTURES

This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to transform an entrepreneurial opportunity into a venture concept proposal, making the business case for the venture, and launching it as a new (line of) business. You will learn the key steps in the venture creation process, including feasibility analysis, marketing and fundraising. You will also learn how to identify suitable sources of investment for the new venture, and how to make a pitch to key stakeholders of potential investors. You will learn how to develop the marketing strategy for the business venture, by assessing the  product mix, volumes and pricing opportunities, and evaluating the  costs and benefits of available distribution channels and customer service strategies. You will also learn how to plan marketing activities according to marketing objectives and strategy and budgetary requirements

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COURSE 6: WRITING A BUSINESS CASE

A Business (Financial) Case captures the reasoning for initiating a project or task. Today, with investment capital for projects and innovations hard to come by, a business case has become a requirement for the release of funding for projects, whether private or public sector, whether from external sources, or from internal funding sources. As a business leader, writing a business case is a critical skill to acquire. This practical course takes you through a systematic process of writing a financial case which provides convincing justification, for proposed investment in new equipment, new systems, acquisitions, major projects, and innovations.

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COURSE 7: DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

In this course on Developing International Business, learners will examine and range of factors to consider in expanding their business internationally. You will learn about and how to apply various models and tools to examine market opportunity and risk and inform investment making. You will also learn about the requisites for successful international competitiveness, and the key organizational variables which will enable successful new market entry. In addition, you will learn about global sourcing and global production and supply chains.

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COURSE 8: INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

This final course in the Diploma in Business Development, provides managers and marketing professionals with the knowledge to understand how to identify and evaluate opportunities in international markets, assess the different market entry modes available to companies, and develop marketing strategies to succeed in international markets.

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Skills and Knowledge

By completing this Diploma in Business Development, you will be able to:

• Conduct a market assessment
• Identify business growth opportunities
• Quantify market size and market share
• Conduct a SWOT analysis
• Conduct a PESTLE analysis
• Conduct customer profitability analysis
• Conduct customer and market segmentation
• Understand key marketing theory
• Align marketing with corporate strategy
• Apply the marketing mix principles to marketing planning
• Develop market strategies
• Develop a comprehensive marketing plan
• Develop appropriate pricing strategies
• Develop appropriate channel management strategies
• Develop brand management strategies
• Analyze consumer behaviour
• Use consumer behaviour data to inform marketing strategy
• Develop customer retention strategy
• Map the customer journey
• Apply relationship marketing principles
• Apply key account management principles
• Apply customer life-cycle management in planning sales activities
• Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing strategy
• Develop a marketing plan for the business
• Develop marketing budgets
• Develop sales targets and sales plan
• apply advertising effectively
• plan for and use internet marketing
• develop effective print media in marketing
• use email marketing
• develop new ideas into strong value propositions.
• make the case for investment in new products / services
• plan for and launch new ventures successfully.
• Understand the impact of globalization
• Understand trade theory
• evaluate global business opportunities
• Understand the role of key global financial institutions
• Understand trade barriers and tariffs
• how to apply analysis models such as the CAGE framework.
• Understand the role of global trade institutions.
• Understand the key advantages of trading in developing, developing and emerging economies
• Understand how to apply a range of market entry modes
• Analyze global sourcing and supply chains to identify opportunities.
• Know how to develop global production strategy
• Understand the core theories of international trade and investment
• Understand the pollical and legal factors to consider in entering international business.
• Know how to form strategic alliances
• Develop appropriate organizational structures to enable global expansion
• Develop the strategy for international expansion
• Understand the formats and advantages of joint ventures
• Lead the planning for your company’s entry into global markets
• Understand the factors underpinning global marketing success
• Know how to effectively apply the global marketing mix
• Develop global branding strategy
• Develop a global marketing plan

This set of skills positions you as a well-rounded, high-impact Business Development Manager or strategist capable of shaping growth at scale.

Enrol Now

Take the next step toward advancing your career in business growth, sales strategy, and international expansion. The Diploma in Business Development provides a complete, flexible, and globally recognized path to achieving your professional goals.

Start today — enrol now and gain instant access to the Global Management Academy learning platform.