The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea

by Bob Burg

“Everyone

likes to be appreciated,” said Ernesto. “And that’s the Golden Rule of business,” added Pindar. “All things being equal—” Ernesto finished the phrase: “—people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.”

“Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.”

“‘Does it make money?’ is not a bad question. It’s a great question. It’s just a bad first question. It starts you off pointed in the wrong direction.”

“The first question should be, ‘Does it serve? Does it add value to others?’ If the answer to that question is yes, then you can go ahead and ask, ‘Does it make money?’”

You give, give, give. Why? Because you love to. It’s not a strategy, it’s a way of life.

Your compensation is directly proportional to how many lives you touch.”

“Sometimes you feel foolish, even look foolish, but you do the thing anyway.”

Survive—to meet your basic living needs. Save—to go beyond your basic needs and expand your life. And serve—to make a contribution to the world around you.”