Know Your BDM: David Binney, Norton Home Loans

What locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role? 

I cover the length and breadth of the country, averaging 1,000 miles per month visiting brokers up and down the country as part of my role with Norton Home Loans. Before Covid, this was probably closer to 2,000 miles a month. I love the diversity and flexibility that being a national business development manager (BDM) brings.  

How have you changed the way you establish and maintain a good relationship with brokers in the pandemic? 

Although I love being back to face-to-face meetings with brokers, I am making the most of technology and keeping in regular contact with brokers via Zoom meetings and WhatsApp messages. This was something that emerged from the pandemic and it’s definitely a good way to keep in touch and maintain relationships.  

What personal talent/skill is most valuable in doing your job? 

I think being down to earth and always being myself is one of my key strengths and it is definitely an advantage in a client-facing a role like this.  

What personal talent/skill would you most like to improve on? 

While I am really comfortable on a one-to-one basis, I would like to improve my networking skills and learn how to work the room a bit better.  

Where would you rather be stuck, in bumper-to-bumper traffic or back-to-back Zoom calls? 

It depends on how I am feeling and the sort of day I am having, but I do enjoy a good sing-a-long in the car.  

What’s the best bit of career-related advice you’ve ever been given? 

That’s a hard one. I cannot think of one key piece of advice, but I have learned through experience that a work life balance is what matters most. It is much more important than title, money or perception.  

What was the greatest lesson you learned during lockdown? 

To not take anything for granted. Lockdown was a real eye-opener for me in terms of restrictions on freedom. Make the most of everyday.  

What was the first social event you attended once restrictions were eased? 

Sadly, I am pretty sure it was a mortgage exhibition. 

What was your motivation for choosing business development as a career? 

Like many people, I wouldn’t say I chose business development, it kind of chose me. I fell into it, but it has worked out for the best. The freedom and variety of the role is a big drawcard for me.  

If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why? 

I wouldn’t mind being a broker for a day and giving some BDMs a bit of grief. 

What did you want to be growing up? 

All sorts of things. I wanted to be a goalkeeper, an oil rig worker – I even wanted to be a DJ. I’m actually not very good at any of these things. 

What’s your favourite face mask design/pattern to wear? 

All black. Very boring but very true. 

And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked? 

Probably what’s your favourite face mask design/pattern to wear.