Deal-Driven Versus Result-Driven: What Is The Difference?

I’d love to expand a bit more on the difference between deal-driven people and result-driven people.

First, let’s take a closer look at the deal-driven folks. These are the salespeople and procurement professionals who love the thrill of the chase. They thrive on the adrenaline rush that comes with closing a deal and they’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. This can include everything from bombarding you with phone calls and emails to taking you out to expensive lunches or even offering gifts.

There’s no denying that deal-driven people can be persuasive and charming. They know how to sweet talk their way into a deal and they’re often very good at reading people. However, the downside to this approach is that it may prioritize the deal over the quality of the product or service being offered. In other words, they may be more concerned with making a sale or than with making sure that the client ends up with the best possible outcome (but they will tell that of course)..

On the other hand, result-driven people are focused on delivering the best possible outcome for the client. They’re less interested in the chasing and more interested in the end goal. This means that they’re willing to put in the hard work to make sure that the final product or service is of the highest quality. This can include everything from working long hours to going back to the drawing board to make changes to a proposal or contract.

Contract management professionals are one example of result-driven people who are critical to ensuring the success of a business. They are responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of a contract and making sure that all parties involved are meeting their obligations and end up meeting their objectives. This requires a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to delivering results.

So which type of person is better for your business? Well, it depends on your goals. If you’re looking for someone to help you close a deal quickly, then a deal-driven person might be the way to go. But if you’re more interested in building long-term relationships with your clients and delivering high-quality products and services, then a result-driven person is probably a better fit.

There is a time and a place for both deal-driven and result-driven people in the business world. The key is to understand what you’re looking for and to make sure that you have the right people in place to help you achieve your goals.

Arjen van Berkum

Arjen van Berkum is a columnist, keynote speaker and motivator, with an eye for business ecosystems, innovation and disruption. In addition to his work as technology and contract management evangelist, he is a visiting lecturer at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).