The Rainmaking Podcast TRP 257: Laser Focus for Strong Business Development with Neil Barrow
In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, host Scott Love speaks with Neil Barrow, a business development consultant for professional services firms, about how partners can generate more revenue through laser-focused relationship-building. Neil challenges the common notion that business development requires chasing every shiny new tool or tactic. Instead, he emphasizes the power of deepening relationships with a select group of key clients and referral sources. He introduces a practical “tiering” system to segment clients based on relationship strength and strategic value—encouraging professionals to identify their top 15–20 clients and focus on creating intentional, value-based conversations with them.
Neil also discusses how to apply the same tiering strategy to referral sources by identifying where past business came from and nurturing those relationships systematically. He walks listeners through actionable steps, including reviewing your book of business, categorizing contacts by relationship level (friend, collegial, professional), and scheduling consistent outreach. With insights on mindset, time management, and long-term strategy, this episode is a roadmap for professionals looking to grow their book of business through clarity, structure, and focus.
Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/u0bi7AIL-A4
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This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link:https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/
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Neil Barrow is the founder of EnabledBD, helping professional services firms get BD cooking and UndergroundBD, an online community for business development professionals looking for clarity and community.
He’s a software sales guy that was (fortunately) talked into working in public accounting, leading origination efforts at 2 different firms for over 8 years. Since then, he’s worked with dozens of firms to build or enhance their business development function (spoiler: BD is not a soft skill). More importantly, he is a Certified Cicerone (beer sommelier) and loves connecting with friends and strangers to chat about business development and/or best beers to try. Most importantly, he lives in Fort Worth with his wife of over a decade and a kiddo who is dominating kindergarten.
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