They say “What comes around goes around,” but does that saying apply to business? Does the best woman win by bad-mouthing her competition? Or would she do better by tapping into some of those kindergarten skills like cooperation, sharing, listening, and kindness?

Find out where do you fall on the business karma scale by identifying the phrase below that best describes you:

1. “It’s a cut-throat world, and I’ll step on those who prevent me from getting to the top.”

2. “It’s best to go it alone, keep my mouth shut about my business, and steer clear of competitors.”

3. “I return phone calls and emails promptly, give a few referrals here and there, and I’m even cordial to my competitors. Isn’t that enough?”

4. “I hang out with my competitors to share “war stories.” I’m courteous to everyone inside and outside my company. I’m extra charming and engaged when I meet someone who could benefit my business.”

5. “I’m open to all possibilities; I believe in helping everyone I meet. I don’t have competitors, I have collaborators. Those who meet me say I’m warm, fun, and a good listener.”

Personally, I score around a 4.2, and I think that being nice has significantly helped our business. No I’m not a 5 on the business karma scale… yet. I could definitely be a better listener, and I’m not always open and positive about all the possibilities. Unfortunately when I’m stressed out with client projects, I have the urge to put on my blinders and batten down the hatches. When I’m in that state, I don’t see that there are better ways to get my work done, communicate with my team, collaborate with other companies, or grow the business – that’s because I’m too busy working IN the business to actually work ON the business (as Michael Gerber says).

Despite my downfalls, here are some quick examples of how being nice has been good for business:

1. We team up with companies who some might consider our competitors. For example, we often pool our strengths with Power Marketing to land jobs that are bigger than either of our companies could handle alone.

2. Two years ago a company asked us to help with their website. It was a small site with a small budget, but I met with the company leaders anyway, talked with them about their needs, concerns, and ideas, and then I sent them to the best web freelancer around - Dan Shields. The client was thrilled with Dan and their initial site, and now years later the company is larger and needs a larger site, and who do you think they called? Why the person who was kind enough to help them get started in the first place of course.

3. Since we started our company six years ago, I’ve shared coffee with hundreds of people from all over the community – small business owners, corporate leaders, educators, nonprofit directors, researchers, government folks, economic developers, women executives, moms working from home, college students, radio show hosts, and reporters. Most of them were not sales prospects (and even if they were, we probably didn’t strike a business deal at that first meeting). I learned about each of those people, asked what they cared about, and asked where I could help. And I still ask those questions because I know that people have hard lives and too much stress, and so often we don’t do enough to help each other. I also know that I need help from my community to create a company that grows, helps promote the region, and contributes back to those who’ve helped us along the way.

What more can I do to improve my business karma? The list gets longer everyday, but I’m working on it.

Please send me an email with your examples of times when niceness paid off for you . I can’t wait to hear from you.

And by the way, my inspiration for this story came from listening to this podcast from Start Up Nation: http://www.startupnation.com/media/episodes/3704/RD-March-17-2007.asp