These days everyone has networking on the brain, whether it’s to find a new job, or stay on top of your game at your current one. Written by Keith Ferrazzi, the founder and CEO of marketing/sales company Ferrazzi Greenlight, Never Eat Alone offers insights on how to build and maintain your network that will be useful to any GGG.
The tips may seem a bit calculated and overly-contrived at times; for example, Ferrrazzi tracks and ranks his contacts on a scale of 1-3 according to how actively he needs to keep in touch with them, and often calls contacts with the goal of not getting through, essentially just to stay on their radar. “Calling their office really early or late usually does the trick,” Ferrazzi writes. But among the biggest take-aways of his message is to avoid invisibility at all costs (hence the title, Never Eat Alone). That means, keep getting out there! In particular Ferrazzi writes that you should always be reaching out to others, and not worry about a meeting being a “failure.” That way, “if one meeting happens to go sour, you have six other engagements lined up just like it the rest of the week.”
In short, a compelling read for anyone who needs a little extra motivation particularly in this doldrums economy to get out there and expand the circle, as all GGGs know is a key component of success. Three of my favorite tips:
- Be “audacious” when it comes to making new contacts and asking for help/advice.
- Reach out to– or “ping,” as Ferrazzi calls it– your contacts on a regular basis.
- Host dinner parties, even if you think your house or apartment isn’t ‘perfect’ enough.
Tags: Books, Networking
