2025 2nd Quarter Professional Development Business Development for Entry Level Employees

Description

2nd Quarter Professional Development Training: Foundations of Business Development
Empowering Emerging Talent for Long-Term Success

Our 2nd Quarter Professional Development Training is designed specifically for entry-level employees who are beginning their journey in the dynamic world of business development. This interactive session provides practical tools and strategies to build confidence, enhance communication, and contribute meaningfully to organizational growth.

Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the business development process through the following key learning areas:

• Understanding the Role: Explore the responsibilities and mindset required for success in business development, and how it aligns with your organization’s broader goals.

• Lead Generation & Outreach: Learn how to identify prospects, conduct outreach, and build a strong pipeline using research-driven methods and digital tools.

• Communication & Pitching: Develop clear, compelling messaging that resonates with potential clients and partners, and practice pitching techniques that convert interest into opportunity.

• CRM & Pipeline Management: Understand how to effectively use CRM systems to track leads, nurture relationships, and manage your sales funnel with confidence.

• SMART Goal Setting: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to stay focused, track progress, and drive results in your role.

Whether your team members are new to the field or transitioning into client-facing roles, this training lays the groundwork for a successful and strategic approach to business development.

About the Facilitator
This training is presented in collaboration with the NMC Community Development Institute and will be facilitated by Mercilynn Kaneshi Palec, a dynamic business advisor and influential leader in small business development and community service across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Mercilynn has earned both regional and national recognition for her work empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth through sustainable, community-centered strategies. She holds a Master in Public Administration from the University of Guam, where she was inducted into the Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Northern Marianas College.

Her journey from small business client to strategic leader is marked by accomplishments, including helping launch business service centers across the islands, being named the 2023 CNMI SBDC Network State Star, and earning a place on the 2023 America’s SBDC 40 Under 40 list.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mercilynn is deeply rooted in community advocacy. She serves as Chairwoman of the NMI Girl Scouts and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Education & Workforce Development Committee. She is also a proud volunteer judge for the NMCADSV Know Your Worth Poetry Competition and an active member of Soroptimist International. As a registered local artist and co-owner of a handmade hair accessory business with her daughter, Mercilynn blends creativity with leadership in every aspect of her life.

Her mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire her children and her community to create, share, and grow.