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NEVER EAT ALONE And Other Secrets To Success, One Relationship At A Time by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz Publisher: Currency/Doubleday Price: $24.95/hardcover Publication Date: March 2005 ISBN: 0-385-51205-8 ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP NETWORKERS SHOWS PEOPLE HOW TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS FOR BUSINESS AND CAREER SUCCESS AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, FOR PERSONAL HAPPINESS According to Ferrazzi, in today's hyper-connected world, rugged individualism is out. The people who find success -- and fulfillment -- are those who interact well with others -- who are willing to help others with no strings attached, and, vice-versa, are able to accept what others can do for them. Whether it's about being a more effective salesperson; moving up the corporate ladder; being a better manager; finding a new job; or developing enduring friendships; having a wide network of genuine relationships is the springboard for achieving one's goals. Based on strategies from Ferrazzi's own life and supplemented by anecdotes about legendary networkers like Henry Kissinger, Katharine Graham, and Dale Carnegie, NEVER EAT ALONE is the ultimate primer on being connected. For Ferrazzi, networking is not a quick schmooze or a haphazard collection of business cards. It's a thoughtful, well-executed plan that should be put into effect as early as possible. As Ferrazzi says, "Build it before you need it. The great myth of networking is that you start reaching out to others only when you need something. In reality, people who are successful know that you must reach out to others long before you need anything at all." Ferrazzi emphasizes that it's useless to network just to network. He counsels readers to take stock of their lives, identify their passions, and set goals for themselves that are both believable and challenging. In that way, they will be clear about why they are networking, what they want to accomplish, and who they need to connect with. The next step is to compile lists of people they already know and lists of people they want to meet. Ferrazzi presents a bundle of insights for efficiently creating and managing those lists, because networking is not just about gathering names, but about communicating with people on a regular basis to build trusting relationships. Ferrazzi calls staying in touch "pinging" and fills NEVER EAT ALONE with detailed advice on when and how to make follow-up telephone calls and send e-mails as well as ideas for writing effective thank-you notes, inviting new contacts to lunch or arranging meetings with them. He also discusses the importance of maintaining high visibility through such activities as hosting parties, making the most of business conferences, and delivering speeches. "Never, ever disappear," Ferrazzi writes. "Keep your social and conference and event calendar full. You must work hard to remain visible and active with your ever-growing network of friends and contacts." Among the highlights of NEVER EAT ALONE is Ferrazzi's advice on at-home entertaining, an activity at which he excels. His dinner parties have a unique caché. "Create a theme and a special atmosphere," he suggests. "Use invitations, but keep the party informal. Don't seat couples together, but most importantly, relax." His secret weapon is inviting "an anchor tenant" -- someone who holds a level of prestige and experience above one's own peer set. This attracts new guests who might not normally attend, thus expanding one's network and circle of influence. Another valuable section of NEVER EAT ALONE is Ferrazzi's advice on the art of small talk. Being verbally fluent is an important key to effective networking. "A lot has been said about how one should go about making small talk," Ferrazzi maintains. "But in my opinion, the experts have gotten one thing wrong. They claim that when you first meet a person, you should avoid unpleasant, overly personal, and highly controversial issues." For Ferrazzi there's nothing more boring than skipping the controversial or personal in conversations. He gives pointers on how to make a lasting impression by putting oneself on the line and giving people a glimpse of one's real personality and humanity. Whether it's advice about "building one's brand" or being interesting, whether it's about finding mentors or mentoring others, NEVER EAT ALONE is more than just a guide to networking. It's a compendium of wisdom for achieving fulfillment in all aspects of life. Ferrazzi's philosophy is one of helping others and being helped. Perhaps his most important advice is the simplest, "Never keep score. There's no need to ponder whether it's their lunch or yours. Generosity is the key to success." With NEVER EAT ALONE, Keith Ferrazzi presents a generous gift to others to help them achieve all they've ever dreamed of. ABOUT THE AUTHORS KEITH FERRAZZI is founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, a marketing & sales consultancy and training company. He has been a contributor and commentator for Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Inc., Fast Company, CNN, and CNBC. Earlier in his career, he was the youngest person to be tapped for partner in Deloitte Consulting history, the youngest chief marketing officer of a Fortune 500 company at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and CEO of YaYa Media. He divides his time between New York City and Los Angeles. TAHL RAZ is an editor at Fortune Small Business. He's written for Inc., the Jerusalem Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, and GQ. Raz lives in New York City. Keith Ferrazzi, author of NEVER EAT ALONE, is available for radio interviews, via telephone, during March 14, 15, and 21, 2005. -- The New York Times NETWORKING IS MUCH MORE THAN COLLECTING BUSINESS CARDS Keith Ferrazzi, One Of The World's Most Connected People, Will Teach Your Audience How To Attain Success, One Relationship At A Time Dear Producer/Interviewer: A cocktail party. A seminar. A class reunion. These are all wonderful networking opportunities opportunities that are critical to business and personal success. But all too often people believe that networking is just about exchanging business cards or bragging about one's own achievements. "There are kinder, more effective ways to pursue this important activity," says Keith Ferrazzi, author of NEVER EAT ALONE. Ferrazzi, who has been called one of the world's most "connected" individuals by both Forbes and Inc. magazines, explains that networking is about building deep personal relationships, one relationship at a time. This means "sharing knowledge and resources, time and energy, friends and associates, empathy and compassion." As a guest on your show, Ferrazzi can address such topics as:
Cordially, Lauren Banyar Publicist (212) 620-4080 x16 lauren@wesmanpr.com |
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