I'm Scott Pollack — entrepreneur, author, and teacher. I've spent two decades building products and partnerships at companies like American Express, WeWork, and my own ventures. This is where I write about the craft.
No one would argue that having a large network is valuable in business development. But how do you actually develop a strong network of relationships? It comes down to a core rule — and knowing the difference between reheating a connection in the oven versus the microwave.
Read essay →A professional carpenter brings his own tools to the job. The tools of Business Development are relationships — and maintaining them is what assures they last beyond any single job.
A business-minded lawyer can be a BD person's most-trusted colleague — someone who spots red flags, provides a sounding board, and does the yeoman's work of being ‘bad cop’ during a sensitive negotiation.
The story of how SinglePlatform almost failed — and how listening to what partners actually needed saved a $100 million exit.
Every medium of communication has its implicit level of intimacy. Getting to text takes a comfort level that few professional relationships rarely reach.
I've spent more than two decades in business development, partnerships, product, and customer experience at companies like American Express, WeWork, and Pavilion. Along the way I founded Firneo, a learning community for the next generation of BD and partnerships leaders, and wrote a best-selling book on the craft.
Today I teach workshops, advise companies, and write about how real deals get done.
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Business Development is not just a sexy job title — it's a growth tool for companies. This book offers a proven framework for pursuing BD opportunities, distilling 15+ years of lessons from companies like American Express and WeWork into a practical guide.
Available now on Amazon.
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