Running a business comes with a never-ending to-do list. Whether it’s winning new clients, managing sales, automating processes, or staying ahead of competitors, having the right business development tools makes all the difference.
From CRM platforms to LinkedIn outreach tools and sales automation software, technology can help streamline workflows, free up time, and make business growth more sustainable.
But with so many options, how do you know which tools are worth using?
This guide breaks down some of the best business development software, marketing tools, and sales solutions, along with real-world UK business examples so that you can work smarter, not harder.
🔹Related: Business Growth Consultancy
Business development tools are software applications and platforms designed to assist businesses in various aspects of growth and development. These tools can help manage customer relationships, analyse data, automate tasks, and more. Using the right tools, businesses can improve efficiency, make informed decisions, and achieve strategic goals.
A business growth plan is only as good as the systems and tools behind it. The right technology helps businesses:
While technology plays a vital role, business owners often benefit from expert guidance when selecting and implementing these tools. If you’re unsure which tools align with your growth strategy, speaking with a business coach or facilitator can help.
🔹Find Your Local TAB Facilitator →
Here is our list of the top business development tools that can help your business thrive this year:
A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a must-have for businesses looking to stay organised and scale effectively. It helps track customer interactions, automate follow-ups, and manage sales pipelines.
Salesforce is a market-leading CRM used by businesses of all sizes to manage customer interactions, automate workflows, and track sales performance.
Key Features:
Case Study: Tesco has used a sophisticated CRM strategy since the mid-1990s to strengthen customer relationships. Their Clubcard scheme and personalised email marketing campaigns have kept them ahead of competitors.
🔹Related: The Five Best Business Analysis Tools
HubSpot CRM offers a free, user-friendly interface that integrates with other HubSpot tools. It's ideal for small—to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their sales processes.
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Pipedrive is a simple, sales-focused CRM designed for business owners who want a clear way to track leads and manage their sales pipeline.
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LinkedIn is one of the most effective business development platforms, offering direct access to decision-makers, potential clients, and industry professionals. The right tools help businesses scale their networking efforts while keeping outreach personal and effective.
LinkedIn’s premium prospecting tool is designed to help businesses find and connect with high-value leads.
Key Features:
Case Study: ClickUp built a LinkedIn community of 160,000 followers, increasing engagement by 7-9% through thought leadership. (Source)
Apollo.io is an AI-powered lead generation and outreach platform designed to help businesses find and engage with potential customers more effectively. It combines email automation, data enrichment, and sales intelligence to ensure that businesses connect with the right people at the right time.
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Hunter.io is a lead generation and email verification tool that helps businesses find and validate professional email addresses. It ensures that outreach emails actually reach the intended recipient, reducing bounce rates and improving deliverability.
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Lemlist is an email outreach automation tool designed to help businesses stand out in crowded inboxes. Unlike traditional email tools, Lemlist allows for high levels of personalisation, including custom images, dynamic text, and GIFs to increase response rates.
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🔹Related: Why Business Networking is Easier with TAB
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming sales, marketing, and customer engagement. AI tools help businesses automate repetitive processes, improve efficiency, and make smarter data-driven decisions, all of which are essential for scaling successfully.
AI-powered tools can provide a competitive edge for businesses looking to streamline operations, enhance lead generation, or personalise customer interactions.
ChatGPT is an AI-powered assistant that helps businesses automate customer interactions, generate content, and improve response efficiency. It’s widely used in sales, customer support, and marketing to enhance productivity.
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Seamless.AI is an AI-driven sales prospecting tool that helps businesses find and connect with high-quality leads. It automates the lead generation process by scraping data from the web and providing real-time, verified business contacts.
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Clearbit is an AI-powered customer intelligence platform that helps businesses understand their audience, personalise interactions, and improve conversion rates. It enriches customer data with real-time insights, allowing businesses to tailor their approach for better engagement.
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Case Study: Uber uses AI to segment customers into different lifecycle stages, allowing the company to deliver personalised promotions, pricing, and recommendations based on user behaviour. This AI-driven strategy has helped Uber improve retention and boost customer engagement.
🔹Related: Does Your Business Really Need AI?
The right marketing tools help businesses attract, engage, and retain customers by streamlining content creation, tracking engagement, and automating lead nurturing. Effective marketing is about more than just getting the message out—it’s about building relationships, understanding customer behaviour, and consistently delivering value.
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool that enables businesses to create high-quality marketing materials without needing professional design skills. Whether you need social media posts, presentations, ads, or infographics, Canva provides templates and drag-and-drop tools to make design quick and easy.
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Google Analytics is a powerful tool for tracking website performance and customer behaviour. It provides insights into how users interact with your site, helping businesses refine marketing strategies and improve conversion rates.
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Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps businesses plan, schedule, and track performance across multiple social media channels. It simplifies social media marketing by allowing users to manage all their accounts from a single dashboard.
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MailChimp is an email marketing and automation platform that helps businesses nurture leads and retain customers through personalised email campaigns. It offers automation features that allow businesses to send targeted emails based on customer behaviour and engagement.
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🔹 Related: 10 Proven Strategies for Organic Business Growth
For business development managers, keeping everything running smoothly isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. With multiple priorities to juggle, from networking and lead generation to strategy and team coordination, the right tools help stay organised, improve efficiency, and drive real progress.
Whether you're tracking projects, automating admin tasks, or ensuring seamless communication, these tools make it easier to focus on growth instead of getting bogged down in daily operations.
Trello and Asana are user-friendly project management tools that help businesses stay on top of deadlines, priorities, and team tasks.
🔹 Best for: Business development managers who need a clear system to manage projects and keep teams aligned.
Key Features:
• Drag-and-drop task management – Visual boards for easy tracking.
• Task assignments & deadlines – Keep everyone accountable.
• Integration with email & calendars – Ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Collaboration tools – Share updates, assign tasks, and add comments.
📌 Why it matters: A structured workflow saves time, reduces stress, and ensures important tasks get done without the usual last-minute rush.
Zapier automates repetitive tasks by connecting different apps, making sure business processes run efficiently in the background.
🔹 Best for: Business owners looking to save time by reducing manual admin work and automating routine tasks.
Key Features:
• App integration – Connects over 5,000+ business apps (e.g., CRM, email, finance tools).
• Automated workflows ("Zaps") – Automates tasks between apps without needing code.
• Lead & customer management – Sends new leads straight to your CRM.
• Notifications & updates – Triggers alerts when key actions happen.
📌 Why it matters: Less manual work = more time for strategic thinking and business growth.
Slack replaces endless email chains with real-time messaging, making it easier to collaborate quickly and keep teams connected.
🔹 Best for: Teams that need instant communication without losing track of important conversations.
Key Features:
• Channels for teams & projects – Organise discussions so everything’s in one place.
• Direct messaging & group chats – No more waiting for email replies.
• File sharing & integrations – Share documents, connect tools like Trello & Zapier.
• Searchable history – Find important messages easily.
📌 Why it matters: Quick, clear communication keeps teams aligned and projects moving forward without endless email threads.
➤ Related: The Benefits of Delegation
Growth through mergers, acquisitions, or investment can be exciting—but also complex. Having the right tools to manage the process can save time, reduce risk, and keep everything structured.
Whether you’re looking for funding, valuing your business, or planning an acquisition, these platforms help streamline decision-making and financial forecasting.
LivePlan is a business planning tool designed to help SMEs build detailed growth strategies, forecast financial performance, and prepare for investment.
🔹 Best for: Businesses planning expansion, acquisitions, or investor pitches.
Key Features:
• Financial forecasting – Creates growth models based on real-time data.
• Investor-ready business plans – Easily generate structured plans for funding applications.
• Scenario planning – Test different growth strategies before committing resources.
• Cash flow & profitability tracking – Stay on top of financial health.
📌 Why it matters: Clear financial planning reduces risk and makes growth more strategic.
Gust is an investment and fundraising platform that connects small businesses with investors and funding opportunities.
🔹 Best for: SMEs looking for angel investment, venture capital, or business grants.
Key Features:
• Investor matching – Helps businesses connect with relevant investors.
• Funding application management – Streamlines paperwork and submissions.
• Financial modelling tools – Helps present clear, data-driven growth potential.
• Legal & compliance guidance – Ensures smooth investment processes.
📌 Why it matters: Finding the right investment can accelerate business growth—but preparation is key.
Carta helps businesses manage ownership structures, track equity, and prepare for funding rounds.
🔹 Best for: Businesses that need clear visibility of company valuation, equity distribution, and shareholder management.
Key Features:
• Cap table management – Track company ownership and share distribution.
• Business valuation tools – Determine accurate company worth for funding negotiations.
• Equity tracking for startups & SMEs – Keeps records of shares, options, and vesting schedules.
• Financial reporting – Generates reports for investors and regulatory compliance.
📌 Why it matters: Knowing your business's financial standing gives you the leverage needed to secure investment or negotiate M&A deals.
➤ Related: The Secret to an Effective SWOT Analysis for Business Owners
Implementing the right business development tools can provide numerous benefits, including:
Leveraging the best business development tools will be crucial for businesses aiming to grow and succeed in 2024. By integrating these tools into your operations, you can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and achieve your strategic goals. Stay ahead of the competition by adopting these top business development tools today.
The Alternative Board community is an excellent resource for entrepreneurs and business owners. Our experienced facilitators and peer boards provide valuable support and share their knowledge to help you make informed business decisions. Don't hesitate to contact us if you think this resource could benefit you.