SmartVisory Consultancy

08/07/2026

One of the best things about working in business development is the people you meet.

This week I caught up with another Simone. The difference? He is an Italian male Simone, and unlike my name, his is pronounced Simon-e. Being married to an Italian, I was already aware of this, but it still made for a great conversation starter.

So alongside plenty of discussion about business development, we also spent time talking about Italy, culture, family and, of course, food.

The best business conversations are rarely just about business. In fact, some of the strongest relationships I’ve built over the years started with conversations that had nothing to do with projects, sales or work at all.

Relationships are built through shared experiences, common interests and genuine curiosity about the person sitting across from you.

That’s something I’ve seen time and time again throughout my career and it’s one of the reasons I still enjoy catching up with people, even when there’s no immediate opportunity on the table.

Sometimes a coffee is just a coffee.

Sometimes it’s the start of a relationship.

And occasionally, it’s an opportunity for two people named Simone to compare notes on business development and Italy.

18/05/2026

.duck my little duck ‘Dash’ having breakfast with me in 🌴☀️🌊🌺

24/04/2026

09/04/2026

Love being part of the .duck “Duck Dash” initiative in celebration of their 10 years. Here is my little duck, whose name just happens to be ‘DASH’, on a cheeky coffee date with me this week. Going after most committed Tanya Mathers.

09/04/2026

Revenue doesn’t just drop off.

It’s usually been heading that way for months, most businesses just don’t see it until it’s too late. Or more accurately… no one is responsible for seeing it.

A lot of the time, it comes back to your business development, or lack of it.

You’ve got multiple people involved, a bit of sporadic activity here and there, but nothing consistent and no one actually managing it properly. And trust me, it takes time, energy and persistence to do it well.

No one is really looking at the pipeline and asking what’s moving and what’s not, and more importantly, no one is responsible for what happens next. So things start to stall, follow ups slip, conversations lose momentum and opportunities sit longer than they should.

Over time, that shows up in revenue.

Then here’s the kicker, the reaction kicks in… panic.

“We need more work.”
“Let’s focus on BD.”
“Let’s get more active.”

The problem is, by then it’s too late to get immediate traction. Business development takes time, you have to earn the relationships and the opportunities.

And yes, multiple people can and should be involved, that’s how relationships are built. But one person needs to own it, or at least oversee it, to track it, drive it and keep it moving.

That means asking the right questions, reviewing plans and holding people accountable. Not doing everything, but making sure it actually happens.

Good business development drives revenue.

So… how important is it to you now?

20/03/2026

Thank you to Tanya Mathers and the team at .duck Duck for my little duck and for including me in the 'Duck Dash challenge'.

Such a clever way to celebrate 10 years in business. A simple idea that brings clients, collaborators and networks together, and yes, we all need a bit of fun along the way.

This one may or may not be heading to Thailand shortly… you will have to wait and see.

Looking forward to seeing where all the ducks end up.

26/02/2026

I assisted a client this week with an interview for a new team member.

I was there to help make sure the right questions were asked and that the conversation went beyond the obvious.

Interviews often focus on what someone has done in the past, but just as important is how they will actually work within the business.

How they approach responsibility.
How they communicate.
How they fit with the team and the culture.

Because hiring the right person isn’t just about capability. It’s about finding someone who will strengthen the business.

Being involved in conversations like this means I can help clients make decisions based on what the business actually needs, not just what looks good on paper.

It’s another reminder that business development is about more than winning work. It’s about helping businesses grow in a way that is sustainable and well supported.

14/02/2026

Today, while I was getting ready for the gym and seriously considering not going, I realised how similar it is to business development.

You never regret going. You just regret skipping it.

BD works the same way. One meeting doesn’t build a pipeline. One LinkedIn post doesn’t create visibility. One follow up doesn’t win the project.

It’s the consistency that gets results.

The repeated calls. The steady follow up. Keeping your CRM clean. Showing up online even when engagement feels flat. Having the coffee when your diary feels full.

It was raining. The couch and a good movie was calling.

But I went.

Because results don’t come from occasional effort. They come from discipline and repetition.

Business development is no different. Not glamorous. Not instant. But over time, it builds strength. And strength builds revenue.

14/02/2026

LinkedIn is not a highlight reel. It’s a reinforcement tool for business development.

It supports BD by:
• Reinforcing your positioning
• Building credibility consistently
• Keeping your business visible
• Making follow-up and outreach easier

Your posts are not about reach for the sake of it.
They’re about clarity, consistency and credibility.

14/02/2026

If you’re the business owner, Director or a partner, you need to be honest about where your time actually creates value.

Too many business owners are caught up in tasks that are not their strength, not their expertise, and not where they make the biggest difference. When that happens, you are quietly costing yourself money.

I speak to owners and partners of businesses of all sizes and, more often than not, it is women trying to do everything. Fee writing. Project delivery. Managing staff. Chasing work. Doing the admin. Holding it all together. And then carrying the mental load at home as well.

That is not a strategy. That is survival mode.

If you want a profitable, well earning business, you have to decide where your time is best spent and protect it. That means investing in yourself and your business through outsourcing.

Business development is a good example. It is not something you squeeze in around everything else. It is a system. It takes consistency, expertise and time. If you are trying to do it properly while also running the business day to day, earning strong fees becomes very difficult.

And I’ll take it a step further.

If you want a business that actually performs, the risk areas need to be plugged and business development has to be prioritised.

The same thinking applies outside the business. Stop trying to do everything and be everyone.

Ask yourself what can be outsourced at work and at home that is not the best use of your time. Whether that is business development support, a housekeeper, childcare help or meals a few nights a week. If it allows you to focus, reduce stress and show up properly where it matters, it is money well spent.

We don’t burn out because we care too much. We burn out because we refuse to invest in ourselves.

So consider this your permission to change things up. To remove the pressure. To focus on where you add real value. And to start earning the fees your business is capable of.