Is your Business Development looking a little like Little Miss Helpful?
Recently, my 3 year old asked me to read him Little Miss Helpful from Roger Hargreaves Mr. Men series for his bedtime story. Now I have to admit, it has been some time since I last read the Mr. Men series, so for those who may have forgotten (like me!):
Little Miss Helpful is always eager, enthusiastic and full of ideas about how to help people; but, more often than not, leaves a trail of unintended chaos in her wake.
When auditing your Business Development efforts: Does any of that sound familiar?
Lawyers business development efforts often resemble a parade of well-meaning “Little Miss Helpfuls.” We try to jump in, lend a hand and make something happen. Without always considering the strategy, alignment or impact of our business development actions!
So, for this BD Tips Wednesday post I thought I would take a quick look at how to avoid making your business development efforts look like you're the next Little Miss Helpful of Business Development.
1. Helping without asking: The BD equivalent of sweeping under someone’s feet
Little Miss Helpful once tried to clean the floor while someone was still standing on it. In business development, we sometimes do the same: Offering to help before fully understanding what the client actually needs.
Better approach: Ask. Listen. Diagnose before you prescribe. Tailor your offer to the client’s situation.
2. Doing too much, too soon
In the stories, Little Miss Helpful often acts quickly, thinking more is better. She’ll water plants that don’t need it, rearrange things that were already fine. Likewise, some lawyers' business development campaigns throw everything at the wall - emails, webinars, coffee meetings - without clear prioritisation or strategy.
Better approach: Start with one or two high-impact activities. Test, learn, refine. Business development should be deliberate, not frantic.
3. Mistaking activity for progress
She’s always doing, but rarely achieving. In Business Development this shows up in endless pipelines or chasing “maybes” that were never viable. We stay busy and call it growth.
Better approach: Focus on meaningful progress: Relationships advanced, proposals submitted, problems solved.
4. Ignoring the follow-up mess
Little Miss Helpful always means well but after the chaos, someone has to tidy up.
The business development parallel?
Promising more than can be delivered, failing to follow through or creating noise with no substance.
Better approach: Under-promise and over-deliver. Set realistic expectations and follow through consistently.
5. Be Strategic, Not Just Supportive
The lesson from Little Miss Helpful is not that help is bad, it’s that good intentions need direction.
With your business development efforts, enthusiasm is only effective when combined with:
Relevance
Intentionality
Follow-through
Collaboration
Instead of “being helpful,” aim to be strategic. Replace random acts of business development with meaningful, client-aligned action.
Final Thought
Don’t be Little Miss Helpful. Be Ms. Strategic Growth. Be the professional who understands before acting, connects before pitching and delivers before being asked.
Need Help With Your Business Development?
Get in touch if you want to talk about any of this. We also offer a very affordable BD Audit and Training package.
