“Givers Gain” is the core BNI philosophy that says we should put our main emphasis not on what we need to succeed, but on what we can do for others to help them succeed. Our own success will naturally follow from this.

You can practice this philosophy even when you can’t be at your weekly meeting by choosing your sub with “Givers Gain” in mind.

The easiest option for getting a sub, of course, is to ask a BNI member from another chapter to cover for you. Or, perhaps you have a list of a few people that help you out on a regular basis.

But is this the best way to approach subs, from the point of view of “Givers Gain?”

Wouldn’t it be more useful, and interesting, for the members of your chapter if you sent someone new to represent you, a client, perhaps, or a friend, acquaintance or family member that they haven’t met before? Who knows what could happen, what synergies might occur? A specific connection could be made that would be mutually beneficial. At the very least, a new face in the room is almost always a surefire way to liven up a meeting!

Does this mean you can never take the easier route when you choose a sub? Of course not. We’re all human and stuff happens. If you find you need a sub on short notice, by all means call on a trusty backup, whether another BNI member or a BNI director, to help you out.

But for a planned absence, plan to be a little more creative. Think “Givers Gain” and make a positive contribution to your chapter.