Our Story – Business Development Association (BDA)
The Business Development Association (BDA) was founded to set the global standards for business development. Our story connects the evolution of business development with the creation of the BDA BoCK®, internationally recognized certifications, and a global community of professionals and organizations across 36+ countries.
From its early beginnings, business development was seen as an extension of sales and networking. But as globalization, digital transformation, and competitive pressures reshaped markets, the field evolved into a strategic discipline covering growth planning, market and competitive analysis, innovation, and partnership management. In the 2020s, business development became a global necessity, directly linked to sustainability, governance, and digital innovation. Yet, despite its importance, the field lacked a unified global standard to define its competencies and measure professional excellence.
This gap gave rise to the Business Development Association (BDA), headquartered in London with a strong regional hub in the Middle East and North Africa. BDA was created to provide the first global authority for business development, setting standards that organizations and professionals around the world can rely on.
At the heart of BDA’s vision lies the BDA Body of Competency & Knowledge (BDA BoCK®) a comprehensive framework that defines the skills, behaviors, and knowledge required to succeed in business development.
behavioral competencies such as strategic leadership, communication, critical thinking, and relationship management
knowledge-based competencies—such as growth strategies, market analysis, project management, innovation, and compliance.
The BDA BoCK® serves as the foundation for all BDA Professional Certifications like BDA-CP™ and BDA-SCP™, for Business Accreditations such as AIDP™, AAI™, and COE™, and for social impact programs CSIS™ and RPDE™ Through this framework, BDA ensures that business development is not defined by vague job descriptions but by globally recognized standards that can be measured, certified, and continuously improved.
Today, BDA leads a global ecosystem of professionals and organizations in more than 36 countries, with over 20,000 certified practitioners and hundreds of accredited institutions. Through BDA Individual & Corporate Memberships Global Partnerships, and a growing Knowledge Center, BDA connects experts, academics, and practitioners in a collaborative network that promotes innovation, responsible growth, and long-term impact.
More than a certification body, BDA represents a movement to standardize and professionalize business development worldwide. By linking individual excellence (through certifications) with institutional recognition (through accreditations) and global impact (through CSR and sustainability programs), BDA ensures that business development is recognized as both a professional discipline and a driver of sustainable success.
