You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.  ~Zig Ziglar

Sounds like a great concept … if this were the movies. Unfortunately this is not Pay It Forward. Or is it?

Business Network International calls it the Givers Gain philosophy, the more I give to others the more I will receive in return. How can this mentality of helping others turn into helping yourself and, most importantly, your business?

As business owners set about evaluating 2010, helping others probably isn't the first thing on the 'to-do list' as they plan their goals for 2011. Increasing sales—and subsequently profit—is probably going to rank up much higher than assisting others in their business endeavors. If that's the case, then how can what Zig Ziglar say be true? 

Let me ask this question: what are you doing when you're selling? No, earning money is not the answer I'm looking for. That's the outcome of the sale.

When you are meeting with a prospective client, discussing the product or service you offer, what are you attempting to do? HELP them. You are there because they have a problem and you can solve it. So you are earning money AND helping someone all at the same time.

Keep in mind a completed sale won't always be the true measure of how much you've helped. Sometimes the best assistance another business owner can receive is that piece of advice they've been searching for. Surprisingly enough, advice, a kind word or a good listener all somehow find a way of repaying you in the long run.