Do you really listen to your customers and provide what they want, or are you more focused on finding the most profitable way to sell your product and then trying to convince the customer that what you're doing is actually for their benefit? [...]

I attended a weekly business networking lunch at Hooters recently and it was packed. Not surprising, since they're known for great chicken wings.

The very best salespeople tell us the primary goal of networking is to connect with people who we can help. Now don't misunderstand, we network to build connections with people who can help us achieve our goals, but when we get to know them, and share our knowledge, connections and talents with them, they generally want to help us as well. And the degree to which they want to help, based on the gratitude they may feel, will be much greater. The goal is to connect with people and be of value to them first so that a mutually beneficial relationship can develop.