Kailash, a small-town manufacturer, hears about a BNI meeting in his city. He shows up, meets a fellow member in need of custom fittings, and offers to help, even though he’s not in a rush. That member then refers him to a major supplier looking for those very fittings. Kailash’s business takes off, all from a simple act of giving. This is how Givers Gain® works in business.
The Business Tale Unfolds
Once Kailash decided to lead with generosity, something interesting happened. He didn’t plan to get anything in return, but business found its way back to him. Let’s uncover the hidden ROI of being a giver first in business networking and see why this works every time.
1. Generosity Builds Trust Faster
When Kailash helped without selling, he stood out. Dr. Ivan Misner often says in BNI that “helping others first fuels your business, and success will follow”. Ethics matters: when you don’t expect immediate returns, trust cascades. People aren’t suspicious of a giver, they’re curious to know more.
2. Give, Then Gain: In Unexpected Ways
HBR’s research highlights that in teams with a giver culture, performance and collaboration skyrocket even outperforming those under competitive pressure. In Kailash’s case, his goodwill paid off with a referral but more broadly, teams that give build deeper loyalty, which translates into smoother referrals and repeat business.
3. Generosity Is Becoming Smart Business Strategy
According to a 2022 business generosity report, a whopping 80% of executives link generosity to revenue gains, and 83% say it attracts and retains talent. In monetary terms, giving isn’t expensive, it’s a sustainable, and it creates long-term returns you can’t always measure immediately. Kailash might not have known it, but by helping, he was building a brand that attracts clients and talent alike.
4. Generosity Signals Authority in Business Networking
When you share knowledge, make intros, and mentor, you become that person people trust, remember, and refer. Forbes emphasizes the importance of measuring generosity’s impact via reputation, referrals, and even employee morale. Kailash unknowingly became an authority, by giving without strings.
5. Giving Shatters the Zero-Sum Mindset
Did you know that taker cultures trap people in closed loops? But giver cultures open up broader collaboration and real impact. While Kailash didn’t hoard opportunities, he spread them, and in return, he earned far more than a single referral. His network grew, trust deepened, and new doors opened.
6. Givers Gain Doesn’t Mean Being a Doormat
It’s important that in business you give strategically and authentically. In BNI terms, you give and when the time’s right, you ask for referrals. That’s the rhythm of healthy, respectful reciprocity.
Closing Note
Kailash’s story isn’t unique but a pattern worth applying. Whether you’re in Bengaluru, Kolkatta or Delhi, helping others first builds a business ecosystem that pays back in trust, deals, relationships, and heart. As Dr. Misner says, “Givers Gain® is not just a way to get business—it’s a better way to do business.”
So, if you’re wondering how to grow your business through business networking, guess what? Start by giving. Not because you’re expecting something, but because that’s how the best ROI unfolds.
