3 Playlists to Boost BDR Productivity

Let’s be honest, being a Business Development Rep (BDR) is a grind: Some days you walk out feeling on top of the world, and others — not so much. While this is the nature of the beast, there are tactics that you can implement to boost BDR productivity.

Here at OpenView Labs, we have an arsenal of tips and tricks for adding structure and and increasing BDR productivity. What’s our newest tactic? Music.

Before you tell me just how distracting music can be, hear me out. Music can impact a team for the better, and we’ve seen that first-hand here in the Labs.

Why Music Works

Music and the Brain

Music in the workplace has become a hot topic in recent years. According to an article in the New York Times, music has a positive influence on the minds of employees.

In biological terms, melodious sounds help encourage the release of dopamine in the reward area of the brain, as would eating a delicacy, looking at something appealing or smelling a pleasant aroma,” said Dr. Amit Sood, a physician of integrative medicine with the Mayo Clinic. “People’s minds tend to wander, and we know that a wandering mind is unhappy,” Dr. Sood said. “Most of that time, we are focusing on the imperfections of life.’ Music can bring us back to the present moment.”

Music — similar to spiffs — motivates employees and establishes an environment of positivity. Check out how we use music to keep things light in the Labs:

Music to Provide Organization

Music also establishes a rhythm (pun intended) from which a team can greatly benefit. Designing a model day for success enables BDRs to avoid multitasking and stay laser focused on the activity at hand. The day can be broken down into three distinct chunks of time to mitigate the negative effects of multitasking:

• Proactive activities: outbound calling and sending high-priority follow-up emails after conversations.
• Reactive activities: responding to emails and sending low-priority follow-up emails.
• Power hours: high volume call-times during which reps sit together and make rapid dials on speaker phone (if you have yet to try this, it is highly recommended).

Here in the Labs, we use music to break up these chunks of time. The break gives the BDRs one hour blocks of time to focus on structured activities.

Want to give it a shot? I thought so! Without further ado I present:

The Three Playlists Every BDR Needs to Have

1. “Get Those Phones Buzzing”: This playlist is the perfect combination of today’s hottest hits and yesterday’s favorites. Stevie, Michael, and Beyonce will get you and your team excited to hit the phones and book your next appointment during your proactive calling time.
2. “I’ll Get Back to You”: When it is time to reply to low priority emails, and catch up on yesterday’s tasks this playlist will do just the trick! These slightly alternative hits will give you the push you need to get through all of your reactive activities.
3. “ I Think I am a Rockstar”: Think you’re a rockstar? Please — you are a rockstar. This one hour playlist is perfect for power hours with the whole team. Start dialing when the first beat drops, and don’t stop until the playlist wraps.

Have any favorite songs that fuel you through your day? Share them below!