Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

From Publishers Weekly

The youngest partner in Deloitte Consulting's history and founder of the consulting company Ferrazzi Greenlight, the author quickly aims in this useful volume to distinguish his networking techniques from generic handshakes and business cards tossed like confetti. At conferences, Ferrazzi practices what he calls the "deep bump" - a "fast and meaningful" slice of intimacy that reveals his uniqueness to interlocutors and quickly forges the kind of emotional connection through which trust, and lots of business, can soon follow. That bump distinguishes this book from so many others that stress networking; writing with Fortune Small Business editor Raz, Ferrazzi creates a real relationship with readers. Ferrazzi may overstate his case somewhat when he says, "People who instinctively establish a strong network of relationships have always created great businesses," but his clear and well-articulated steps for getting access, getting close and staying close make for a substantial leg up. Each of 31 short chapters highlights a specific technique or concept, from "Warming the Cold Call" and "Managing the Gatekeeper" to following up, making small talk, "pinging" (or sending "quick, casual" greetings) and defining oneself to the point where one's missives become "the e-mail you always read because of who it's from." In addition to variations on the theme of hard work, Ferrazzi offers counterintuitive perspectives that ring true: "vulnerability... is one of the most underappreciated assets in business today"; "too many people confuse secrecy with importance." No one will confuse this book with its competitors.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --Ce texte fait référence à l'édition Relié.

From AudioFile

Though this audio has action plans and motivational urgency, it's mainly about the quieter tasks of developing faith, persistence, loyalty, and trust in one's fellow man. The autobiographical story is about a rural Pennsylvania man who, after attending Yale and Harvard Business School, started his own consulting company. He achieved success by paying attention to people and situations that interested him and by methodically cultivating relationships in those realms. The lesson is surprisingly calming and inspirational. In this respect the gentle-voiced Richard Harries connects deeply with the material. The advice is less about conquering the world than about committing oneself to an authentic and well-organized career path. T.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine