Episode 24 – Rabia Dincer – How Curiosity, Empathy, and Real Conversations Drive Better Partnerships

Episode 27 – David Bossin-Hardy – Luck, Opportunity, and Building a Career You Believe In

We wrap up this three-part series with a powerful discussion on luck, opportunity, resilience, and long-game business development. David shares the story behind how he landed at JALI, why timing matters, and how saying yes to the right opportunities can change the trajectory of your life. We talk about product belief, handling rejection with a clear head, using customer feedback to improve, and why every deal still requires real effort—even when you have a marquee client like Cyberpunk 2077 on your résumé. David also shares one of my favorite stories: how JALI helped a small indie studio bring their narrative vision to life. It’s the perfect reminder of why this work matters. This final episode ties together the mindset, grit, and curiosity needed to grow in BD and create a career you’re proud of. Where to Connect with DavidLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/] Website: ⁠https://jaliresearch.com/⁠ [https://jaliresearch.com/] Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn:⁠ Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi]Websites:⁠ QS Consulting  [https://www.qsconsulting.info] ⁠ [https://www.qsconsulting.info]Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

Episode 26 – David Bossin-Hardy – Why Authentic People Make the Best Dealmakers

In part two of our conversation, David and I unpack why so many exceptional business development leaders start their careers outside of traditional sales roles. David explains how authenticity builds trust, why the “slick salesperson” model is outdated, and how relationship-first selling drives long-term success in the gaming and tech industries. We explore how being yourself—not a template—creates genuine connection. David shares insights on conference behavior (including how to stop badge-scanning), the value of sincerity, and how small gestures like handwritten notes can create meaningful moments that set you apart. This episode is filled with real, field-tested advice for becoming the kind of BD professional people actually want to work with. Where to Connect with DavidLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/] Website: ⁠https://jaliresearch.com/⁠ [https://jaliresearch.com/] Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn:⁠ Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi]Websites:⁠ QS Consulting  [https://www.qsconsulting.info] ⁠ [https://www.qsconsulting.info]Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

Episode 25 – David Bossin-Hardy – How Restaurants Created a World-Class Biz Dev Leader

In this first part of our three-episode series, David Bossin-Hardy shares the unexpected path that led him from restaurants and bartending to becoming Director of Sales and Partnerships at JALI Research, one of the most innovative facial-animation companies in the industry. David breaks down how customer service, expectation management, and reading people in real time shaped his entire approach to business development. We talk about why the best BD professionals often come from nontraditional backgrounds, how to “own the table,” and how the skills he learned in hospitality directly translate to building trust, managing deals, and guiding clients through complex decisions. If you’ve ever wondered how to take your everyday experiences and turn them into elite business development instincts, this episode sets the stage beautifully. Where to Connect with David LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-0816bb181/] Website: https://jaliresearch.com/ [https://jaliresearch.com/] Contact Info for Assad LinkedIn: Assad Quraishi on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi]Websites: QS Consulting [https://www.qsconsulting.info]Music Credit Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay

Episode 24 – Rabia Dincer – How Curiosity, Empathy, and Real Conversations Drive Better Partnerships

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, recorded live at MIGS, Assad sits down with Rabia Dincer, Partnerships Manager at CrazyGames, to unpack what authentic business development looks like when you strip away the pitch deck polish. Rabia shares her unconventional journey into BD, the early challenges of being the only woman in a male-dominated company, and how learning to advocate for herself reshaped both her confidence and her approach to partnerships. The conversation dives into Rabia’s operating philosophy: keep messages short, make them personal, avoid ego-driven outreach, and “sell the way you would want to be sold to.” She breaks down how listening, empathy, and curiosity consistently outperform clever scripts. Assad and Rabia also explore the emotional realities of BD — burnout, travel fatigue, and protecting your energy — along with practical insights on understanding your ICP, spotting real prospect needs, and crafting outreach that resonates. If you work in partnerships, sales, or business development, this episode gives you a grounded, human look at how top performers build trust, stay curious, and create opportunities through genuine connection. business development partnerships CrazyGames sales outreach empathy in sales gaming industry BD women in tech MIGS client relationships curiosity-driven selling Where to Connect with Rabia Dincer * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdincer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdincer/] * Website: https://www.crazygames.com/ [https://www.crazygames.com/] Contact Info for Assad * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assad-quraishi/ * Websites: QS Consulting & XP Gaming Music by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay Music Credit

Episode 23 – Ethan Cossio – Bridging East and West in International Business Development

In this episode of Drinks & Deals, Assad sits down with Ethan Cossio — Level Designer, Biz Dev professional, and international bridge-builder between East Asian and Western markets. Ethan shares how a single trip to GDC set him on a path to connecting with creators, studios, and business leaders across China, Korea, and Japan. This conversation dives into the real nuances of international BD: cultural expectations, etiquette differences, relationship-building in Asia, and how authenticity can make or break a deal. Ethan also explores the importance of networking aggressively before traveling, respecting cultural norms (like Japan’s business card etiquette), and understanding the long-game relationship mindset common in East Asia. Whether you’re entering a new market, trying to collaborate with partners overseas, or simply want to learn how to navigate cross-cultural business with confidence, this episode delivers practical, real-world insight from someone living it. Where to Connect with Ethan Cossio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancossio/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethancossio/] Website: https://alkemilabz.com/ [https://alkemilabz.com/] Contact Info for AssadLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assadquraishi/ Websites: QS Consulting: https://qsconsulting.info Music CreditMusic by Oleksandr Stepanov from Pixabay international business cross-cultural BD East Asia partnerships Japan business etiquette Korea business culture China networking global BD strategy relationship building business development podcast Drinks and Deals