During the holiday season I am reminded that it is better to give than receive. This concept works well in so many facets of our lives. What about our business and sales practices? We all too often hold pertinent information close to the vest and not share openly. What if sharing opened doors to multiple other opportunities that we weren’t aware of?

Networking with others can be extremely beneficial if you are interested and sincere in helping your group as well as yourself. If your networking results for the last year were mediocre then you might want to consider this: Are your shared leads mediocre in an effort to get a great lead from someone else? Be honest.

“The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed.” – Ray Kroc

Idaho Leads Group is a project of mine that I give access to freely. We swap leads, events, business information for the state of Idaho. This actually takes up a lot of precious time for me many times making my day start at 4 in the morning. I do the same for Lottspace. There’s no catch, gimmick, etc. Just free tools and advice. I am constantly asked why I do this. The answer is really simple… I know that somewhere, someway, the time, the effort will get paid backed to me in so many different ways.

“People share with people they trust.” – Chris Lott

The reality of any networking group is that you will feel you’re giving more than receiving. In most cases that most likely is accurate. Does it really matter? I say give away! Become the “go to” person in your group. While good leads are extremely important so is relationships, trust, credibility, and so on.

When I help others by sharing leads, offering an online leads group or whatever without strings attached the magic happens. Network members become grateful and want to help. Then my group takes on its own life and becomes an essential sales-business tool. If this is not happening within your current networking group make some changes. Surround yourself with advocates you trust. Life is indeed too short to do otherwise.

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” – Emily Kimbrough

What is sales-business success without solid relationships? Entrepreneurs have a natural “lone wolf” inclination but successful owners and sales professionals find solid relationships tremendously beneficial. Networking groups should offer a place of solace, advice, and friendship. They should offer a place to build relationships. In any career there are always ups and downs. Look around, those that have strong relationships within their industry and other business partners fair better in hard times. Those that didn’t build lasting business relationships suffer. How do you currently contribute to building relationships within your network?

Isn’t it time you re-commit to your networking partners and share unselfishly? You just might find that ultimately you’ll receive much more than you gave.

Copyright © 2009 Chris Lott and Lottspace. All rights reserved.