In good times and in bad, getting noticed is obviously a critical factor in developing business. But especially in these economic times, it is even more crucial to be doing the kinds of things that allows your firm to stand out from the crowd.

In a post entitled "Getting Noticed" my friend Thom Singer over at Some Assembly Required points out one simple way to do that. As he says "I mean so simple it is nutty." The key according to Thom is to "Help other people."

Whether it is clients, referral sources or prospects from whom you are trying to attract work, the best way is to give before you get. You do that by finding out what is important in the other person’s life, and then try to help them reach their goals in any way you can. I agree that you can’t help everyone; but, if you become known as a person who is a magnet for success of others, more people will want to get closer to you and help you in turn.

Thom reminds us of the famous Zig Ziglar quote: "you will get everything in life that you want if you just help enough other people get what they want."

So, do unto others to help yourself and your firm.