Business development managers in Italy

Part-time & Flexible

We provide strategic business development services to grow your presence in Italy. We help you customize your offering for the country and follow-up on leads or approach new clients.
Especially technology products or sales to businesses or governments may have long sales cycles. Our continuous presence in Italy ensures trust and prompt follow-up.
International business development
50 +
Clients supported
1
Flights saved
0 +
Countries
$ 0 M
Generated on turnover

How to sell your product or service in Italy?

Italy is one of the larger economies in Europe, but also a country with very different regions, ranging from rich to poor. Italy has a rich cultural heritage, with Rome being one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe. The country’s official language is Italian, but there are regions where German, French, and Slovene are primarily used.

As of 2024, Italy’s population is estimated at approximately 58.78 million. The country has been experiencing a population decline since its peak in 2017, with a negative growth rate due to a higher death rate than birth rate and negative net migration.

The major urban centers include Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and Palermo. Italy is characterized by an uneven population density, with dense populations in the Po Valley and metropolitan areas of Naples and Rome.

Italy economic overview

Italy is known for its diverse industrial sectors, ranging from fashion and luxury goods to automotive and machinery. It’s a significant player in the European and global economy.

Italy has an economy which is divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, agricultural south. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family-owned.

Business opportunities can be found in for example:

  • Agrifood products: fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish
  • Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ITALIAN BUSINESS CULTURE?

Italians put a strong emphasis on building trusting relationships. This is especially important if you want to do your business in the South of Italy, where the people value close-knit ties, personal networks, and strong bonds. On the other hand, in North Italy, while the relationship is still an essential factor, it is not a must-have prerequisite during initial phases. The North manner is more business-focused and serious while the South is relaxed and personal.

Regardless where you are, a bella figura (beautiful posture) is of paramount importance. It means you need to have a proper conduct and uphold societal formalities. Being disrespectful towards your counterparts, their country, and family can seriously harm your business.

WHAT ARE NEGOTIATION TACTICS IN ITALY?

  • When you want to establish initial relationships, it is best to do this through a local representative.
  • Meetings should be scheduled two or three weeks in advance.
  • You should inform your counterparts about meeting attendees, the names, positions, responsibilities.
  • When you are late for meetings, you need to inform your counterparts.
  • During the negotiation process, you need to be patient to avoid conflict at all costs.
  • The pace of discussion is slow.
  • You should focus on long-term commitments and win-win solutions.

HOW MUCH IS THE CONTRACT WORTH IN ITALY?

Italian people will expect you to keep to your oral contracts. However, do note that during discussions, there may be many interim agreements, which are different from the final ones.

Why use our business development services in Italy?

We know the country from within

We work with local teams, who already know the market, speak the language and know the business culture.

Operational from day 1

No need to hire a local business developer first, we are active for you from the very first day you engage us. And no recruitment costs.

Risk Mitigation

We help you avoid cultural misunderstandings, compliance issues, and other risks associated with entering a new market.

Continuous Support

We provide ongoing support, ensuring your new partnerships thrive and adapt to evolving business and market needs.

Our approach for business development in Italy

What we always do in the first months

Set your objectives

Let us understand what you aim to achieve in Italy. Based on this input we can define an action plan to scan the market, introduce your offering and make your sales grow.

Needs & Competition

We interview a number of potential clients or influencers to learn what the market really needs and how your product fits into this. We also do competitor research and if possible retrieve their pricing structure.

Optimise your pitch

Your pitch and sales materials should be tuned onto the local market. We help you highlight the most needed features of your product and formulate Unique Selling Points to stand out from the competition.


What we do continiously

Follow up on leads

Your website, trade shows or referrals may generate leads already. We will follow-up on these, approaching them with our local staff and where feasible visiting them to turn them into clients.

Generate new leads

We use our own network, LinkedIn and other social media to generate new leads. We visit trade shows and industry events to meet prospects and report to you on every contact, so that we can jointly set new actions.

Marketing & PR

Together with you we decide what marketing actions are useful: social media posts, advertisements, exhibiting on trade shows, organising client events. We also help you with public relations in the country.

Get your proposal directly

    In , our experienced business developers work for you 20 hours per month for . Every month we report on what we have done and plan actions and deliverables for the next month. This is a 12-month plan where you can scale up and down our efforts when needed.

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    Companies we've helped with Business development services

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    We are active in over 30 countries