Welcome!  

Compass and a Map is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats,   Barnes & Noble and by direct purchase from Ingram Sparks.

I write about experience that was key to my career as a business development manager. This website is focused on sharing and exchanging development techniques, knowledge, travel skills and experiences between international business development, sales and commercial managers. 

The goal in writing Compass and a Map is to share 45-years of broad based business experience with new international business development, sales and commercial managers, shortening the learning curve as they maneuver through the business development cycle, working in a global environment. An underlying theme of the book is the requisite for broad-based skillsets, supported by ‘soft skills’ and networking capabilities – these make careers.   

For graduate students preparing for interviews for positions with international responsibilities, the knowledge shared and guidance provided should bolster self-confidence and enhance performance. Practical – soft skills information is shared that will differentiate the candidate from their competition. 

The book is loaded with takeaways, techniques and personal stories to guide the international business development manager in the following areas:

 1. Developing and maintaining client networks and relationships and planning and executing ‘complex’ international business development campaigns.

 2. Guidance in managing the project tender (bidding) process through awarded contract handover to operational groups.

 3. International travel is much more challenging than are domestic trips because mistakes are less forgiving. The time available for planning and executing ‘complex’ business development campaigns must be used smartly and efficiently. We must identify and effectively utilize third-party host country resources to realize our business goals.                

Understanding that everyone will have their own methods for approaching market development projects,  the guidance shared in Compass and a Map presents information that I did not have when I started my career and it has worked for me.

I hope you read the book and  will share your thoughts, comments and experiences.  In closing, I want to recognize the excellent work and support of Forward Thinking Publishing – London, England, who I highly recommend to nonfiction writers.

Travel  smartly, safely and often, 
Mark Lamb
Mark33Lamb@outlook.com
Houston, Texas