Though I'm a poor musician, I used to write country and folk songs. Despite my amateurish musical efforts, a folk foundation serves me well in business development: the 1-4-5 chord progression.
1-4-5 is the basis for much western music. It's everywhere in blues, pop, rock, and country. Think "La Bamba," "Lay Down Sally," and even "Hot To Go" by Chappell Roan. (Yes, I'm pandering. Let my teens roll their eyes.) Lay catchy lyrics over a three-chord progression and you too can have a hit.
The same thing happens in business development. Time and again, successful rainmakers play three basic chords to strike the right notes with clients: relationships, meaningful activities (or if you prefer jargon, "value-adds"), and timing. That's your 1-4-5 progression for business development.
Simplify
A couple weeks ago I published a BD planning template. That template dials back the noise and distraction of writing a "plan" and invites lawyers to focus on the basics: 1) who you'll invite to 2) do meaningful things together, and 3) when.
Strip away the studio enhancements of so many hits and you're left with a singer, an instrument, three chords, and some essential truth that moves enough listeners to buy a song.
Business development is similar. Demystify "the art of rainmaking" and you're left with people, interactions, good (or lucky) timing, and a message that moves enough purchasers to support a practice.
Business development is not easy. It takes thoughtfulness, repetition, willingness to fall short (or at least fall short for now), and resilience. But we don't have to make it complex, either. Three chords and the truth should get us there.