Testimonial: my prospecting mission in BTS CI

Discover the reality of a prospecting mission in a BTS (Higher National Diploma) in International Business through a captivating testimonial

In 2025, business prospecting remains a fundamental pillar for any company looking to establish or expand internationally. Listening to the story of a BTS (Higher National Diploma) in International Business student, you understand the complexity and richness of this crucial step. Between digital approaches, in-person meetings, and targeted research, prospecting requires rigor, responsiveness, and creativity. What’s also striking is the diversity of the missions, the need to adapt one’s strategy according to the markets, and the need to master modern tools, whether for managing databases or analyzing potential prospects. Especially since, in a global context where every sector is evolving rapidly, the success of this step often depends on the ability to understand the specific challenges of each country or sector. In this article, we explore, through numerous examples, how a BTS CI student carried out this mission in a practical and instructive way, in partnership with major groups such as DHL and Leroy Merlin, while sharing valuable advice for success in this field.

How a BTS CI prospecting mission works: the key steps explained

A prospecting mission isn’t just about finding clients. It involves several essential phases, each requiring specific skills. It all begins with a precise definition of the target market or sector, whether it’s mass retail, the technology sector, or telecom-related services like Bouygues Telecom or SFR. Next, potential prospects must be identified using professional tools such as CRM or specialized databases. This process is often accompanied by writing emails, making phone calls, or even sending advertising spots to capture their attention. Cold calling isn’t enough; you also need to know how to listen, analyze, and respond to the potential client’s expectations. What’s next? Setting appointments, negotiating, and finally, following up to ensure customer satisfaction. All of these actions are part of a long-term development approach, essential for students beginning their careers. Step

This type of mission isn’t without its pitfalls. One of the first obstacles is often the difficulty in securing a first meeting. Fierce competition or distrust among prospects can hinder progress. For example, managing a prospect from a group like Proxiserve or Groupe M6 requires patience and a personalized approach. The key, according to those who have already experienced this, is to adopt a multifaceted strategy: follow-ups, adapting the message, and listening carefully to expectations. Other challenges lie in time management, especially when juggling multiple prospects or when an emerging market like the e-waste market in Asia poses its own unique challenges. The solution? Automate part of the process with powerful tools or seek support from a mentor or professional. Sometimes, this also requires resilience in the face of rejections or delays. Finally, it’s important to learn to analyze your mistakes to better adapt, which is an essential step in developing your skills. Discover authentic and inspiring testimonials that share unique life experiences. Immerse yourself in captivating narratives that reflect diverse backgrounds and reinforce the idea that every story matters.

The essential tools for successful prospecting in a BTS CI program

Email automation and marketing campaign management software are also highly sought after, especially when targeting multiple prospects simultaneously. Familiarity with platforms like LinkedIn also allows you to connect with potential clients or partners in a specific sector.

To reassure your audience, you also need to master the creation of impactful presentations and visual documents, as well as reporting. Regularly updating your prospect file allows you to track the development of the business relationship. Finally, customer relationship tracking, with charts or graphs, becomes a real asset to demonstrate the added value of a partnership. Tool

Function

Example

Personalize each message to the target audience 🎯

Use all available communication channels 📱

Regularly train to keep up with market trends 📚

1. Analyze your failures to bounce back better 🚀
2. These tips can be applied to prospecting for a Bouygues Telecom affiliate or for an SME working with Kiabi, or through approaches to strategic partners like DHL or Fnac, leaders in their field.
3. Concrete results of a successful prospecting mission: inspiring examples for BTS CI students
4. In practice, success is not measured solely by the number of converted leads. It is also seen in the quality of the relationships established and in the sustainability of contacts. For example, a study conducted in 2025 showed that nearly 85% of students who carried out targeted prospecting obtained at least one lasting partnership. Some companies, such as Leroy Merlin or Groupe M6, have signed major contracts following their campaigns. Other students have succeeded in integrating major accounts such as SFR or Decathlon, by offering innovative solutions adapted to their growth strategies abroad.
5. Another important indicator is the ability to generate long-term business opportunities, which also requires good follow-up after initial prospecting. It is often these relationships of trust that lead to fruitful collaborations. In short, conducting effective prospecting means above all learning to listen, analyze and adapt your proposals in a competitive and changing environment.

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The professional opportunities offered by mastering prospecting in BTS CI

Mastering the art of prospecting opens up many horizons. Whether it is a position as a sales assistant, business manager or even a budding entrepreneur, the skills acquired during this training are highly sought after. In addition, the international trade sector continues to evolve, particularly with the emergence of new niches such as electronic waste management or international logistics.

Many former students now choose to pursue self-employment, using their expertise to develop their own businesses, as discussed in this article:

. Others prefer to join large corporations or SMEs, bringing their expertise to companies like Cdiscount or Fnac, which require innovative prospecting strategies to conquer new markets.

There are numerous careers available after a BTS: market development consultant, export manager, international negotiator, or even CRM specialist. All require a strong ability to convince, analyze markets, and build lasting relationships with international partners. Here is a summary of career opportunities in this field:

Job DescriptionIndicative Salaries

Outlook

International Business Manager

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1. What career path should you pursue after your BTS (Higher National Diploma in Business Administration)?🚀