I often see WoW players trying to build their professions and even making alts to help supplement their material needs so they don't have to spend so much gold buying mats from the Auction House.
One response to this that I have experienced and found somewhat successful is the assignment of guild professionals who provide for some of the guild's needs. The guild professions most beneficial seem to be Inscription, Enchanting, Jewelrymaking, Alchemy, Blacksmithing, and Leatherworking. (In order from most helpful downward.) Engineering is of little use, sorry. As any of us have experienced, one profession must seek out and utilize products from others, and there are several quests that require profession-made products. These products are sometimes quite cost-prohibitive in the Auction House. If persons in gathering professions (Herbalism, Skinning, and Mining) helped supply materials for individual guild members holding professional rank in those professions mentioned above, we all would likely benefit.
Thoughts?