Tired of the same old business development conversations that never challenge the status quo? Our Unpopular Opinion templates are designed to spark real debate and get members thinking differently. Use these ready-made prompts to encourage thoughtful discussion while keeping your community respectful and engaged.
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Inviting members to share unpopular or unconventional opinions taps into our natural curiosity and desire to explore new perspectives. Controversial or counterintuitive takes are proven to drive higher engagement, as people feel compelled to weigh in, defend their views, or challenge assumptions in a constructive way.
In business development, where innovation is key, these discussions help surface hidden insights, question outdated practices, and foster a culture of open-mindedness. When managed with respect, this format not only increases participation but also builds trust and psychological safety, encouraging more members to share their true thoughts.
Unpopular opinion: Not every partnership is worth pursuing in business development. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Not every partnership is worth pursuing in business development. Agree or disagree?"
I believe cold outreach is more effective than warm intros for certain industries. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I believe cold outreach is more effective than warm intros for certain industries. Thoughts?"
Here's a hot take: Networking events are overrated for building real business relationships.
💡 Example: "Here's a hot take: Networking events are overrated for building real business relationships."
Unpopular opinion: Sometimes saying 'no' is the best business development strategy. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Sometimes saying 'no' is the best business development strategy. Who agrees?"
I think chasing big clients too early can hurt your business growth. What's your experience?
💡 Example: "I think chasing big clients too early can hurt your business growth. What's your experience?"
Some say following up more than twice is pushy. I disagree. Where do you stand?
💡 Example: "Some say following up more than twice is pushy. I disagree. Where do you stand?"
In my view, early-stage startups should avoid paid partnerships. Agree or not?
💡 Example: "In my view, early-stage startups should avoid paid partnerships. Agree or not?"
Unpopular opinion: Personal branding is more important than your product at first.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Personal branding is more important than your product at first."
I think automation in business development weakens relationships. Who agrees or disagrees?
💡 Example: "I think automation in business development weakens relationships. Who agrees or disagrees?"
Is business development overrated in early-stage startups? Share your take.
💡 Example: "Is business development overrated in early-stage startups? Share your take."
Unpopular opinion: Bigger teams slow down business development. Agree?
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Bigger teams slow down business development. Agree?"
I rarely use LinkedIn for BD. I find niche communities much more effective. Anyone else?
💡 Example: "I rarely use LinkedIn for BD. I find niche communities much more effective. Anyone else?"
Hot take: Most pitch decks do not matter in business development meetings.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Most pitch decks do not matter in business development meetings."
I believe being direct is better than being diplomatic in BD. What do you think?
💡 Example: "I believe being direct is better than being diplomatic in BD. What do you think?"
Unpopular opinion: Discounts cheapen your value in business development deals.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Discounts cheapen your value in business development deals."
Is it better to specialize or generalize in BD? I think specialization is risky.
💡 Example: "Is it better to specialize or generalize in BD? I think specialization is risky."
I actually prefer email to phone calls for initial outreach. Does anyone else?
💡 Example: "I actually prefer email to phone calls for initial outreach. Does anyone else?"
Unpopular opinion: Referral programs are not worth the effort in B2B.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Referral programs are not worth the effort in B2B."
I find that 'best practices' often hold teams back from innovation. Thoughts?
💡 Example: "I find that 'best practices' often hold teams back from innovation. Thoughts?"
Unpopular opinion: The best deals are often the ones you walk away from.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: The best deals are often the ones you walk away from."
I think business cards are outdated and rarely useful. Anyone still use them?
💡 Example: "I think business cards are outdated and rarely useful. Anyone still use them?"
Unpopular opinion: Overplanning kills momentum in business development.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Overplanning kills momentum in business development."
I think 'relationship building' is sometimes just a buzzword. Agree or disagree?
💡 Example: "I think 'relationship building' is sometimes just a buzzword. Agree or disagree?"
Hot take: Most partnerships fail due to misaligned incentives, not communication.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Most partnerships fail due to misaligned incentives, not communication."
Do you think business development is more art than science? I do.
💡 Example: "Do you think business development is more art than science? I do."
Unpopular opinion: Big wins are often luck, not strategy. Change my mind.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Big wins are often luck, not strategy. Change my mind."
I think most CRM tools are more hassle than help. What do you use?
💡 Example: "I think most CRM tools are more hassle than help. What do you use?"
Unpopular opinion: Cold calling still works when done right.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Cold calling still works when done right."
I believe partnerships with competitors can be a good growth strategy. Agree?
💡 Example: "I believe partnerships with competitors can be a good growth strategy. Agree?"
Does anyone else think case studies are overrated as a BD tool?
💡 Example: "Does anyone else think case studies are overrated as a BD tool?"
Unpopular opinion: Most business development advice is outdated within 2 years.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Most business development advice is outdated within 2 years."
I think being persistent is more valuable than being creative in BD. Agree or not?
💡 Example: "I think being persistent is more valuable than being creative in BD. Agree or not?"
Unpopular opinion: Workshops are better than webinars for BD education.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Workshops are better than webinars for BD education."
Anyone else think that too much data analysis can paralyze decision making?
💡 Example: "Anyone else think that too much data analysis can paralyze decision making?"
Hot take: Incentives for BD teams often backfire. Share your view.
💡 Example: "Hot take: Incentives for BD teams often backfire. Share your view."
Unpopular opinion: BD should own product feedback, not just sales.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: BD should own product feedback, not just sales."
I find that remote BD teams are often more effective than in-office ones. Agree?
💡 Example: "I find that remote BD teams are often more effective than in-office ones. Agree?"
Unpopular opinion: Most BD metrics do not reflect true business value.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Most BD metrics do not reflect true business value."
I believe in-person meetings are not worth the time for most BD deals now. Who agrees?
💡 Example: "I believe in-person meetings are not worth the time for most BD deals now. Who agrees?"
Unpopular opinion: Fast growth is riskier than slow growth in BD.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Fast growth is riskier than slow growth in BD."
Do you agree that following the competition too closely hurts BD creativity?
💡 Example: "Do you agree that following the competition too closely hurts BD creativity?"
Unpopular opinion: Awards and badges do not influence real BD outcomes.
💡 Example: "Unpopular opinion: Awards and badges do not influence real BD outcomes."
To implement these templates, simply copy and paste a prompt into your community platform, then encourage members to respond with their own perspectives. Rotate them weekly or tie them to current trends for maximum relevance. Always set clear expectations for respectful discussion and be prepared to moderate if debates become heated. Consider pinning especially thought-provoking threads or highlighting top responses to keep the conversation going.
These templates are optimized for all platforms. On forums, create a dedicated 'Unpopular Opinion' thread and update regularly. For chat platforms, use thread replies to keep discussions organized. On social media, include a clear call to action and monitor comments closely. Use polls or reactions to gauge sentiment if the platform allows.
Start by setting ground rules for respectful discussion. Explain that these posts are meant to encourage fresh perspectives and learning, not to create conflict.
Monitor discussions closely. Step in early if needed, remind members to stay civil, and enforce community guidelines if necessary.
Yes, these templates are designed to be flexible and cover a range of BD topics. Feel free to adapt them for specific niches or subfields.
Once a week is a good starting point. Adjust frequency based on member engagement and feedback.
Use lower-stakes prompts and explicitly invite all perspectives. Highlighting thoughtful responses can also help encourage participation.
You do not need to reply to every comment, but engaging with a few key responses and modeling respectful dialogue is recommended.
Track metrics like comment volume, diversity of opinions, and repeat participation. Qualitative feedback is also valuable.
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