What is a business development representative?

Business Development Representatives (BDRs) are sales professionals who focus on prospecting, qualifying leads, and setting up meetings for the sales team. They initiate contact with potential clients—primarily through cold calls, emails, and networking—to generate interest in a company's products or services. BDRs play a crucial role in the early stages of the sales cycle by identifying business opportunities and helping to grow the customer base. Their work allows account executives and senior sales staff to focus on closing deals with well-qualified leads. The position often serves as an entry point to a career in sales or business development.