Few professional activities are as nerve-wracking as networking. There’s the paralyzing prospect of entering a room full of strangers. The awkward introductions and stilted small talk. The concern that “networking” means you have to exploit others for personal gain – or might appear that way. It’s no wonder so many talented professionals eschew networking altogether. Unfortunately, that means they’re limiting their chances of making the kind of great personal and professional connections that can expand their worldview, enrich their lives, and – yes – even lead to new business opportunities. That’s why it’s time to reclaim networking. It doesn’t have to be the province of users and takers; instead, as Forbes and Harvard Business Review contributor Dorie Clark makes clear in this short and actionable guide, networking done right is nothing like the stereotype. It’s not about making shallow, insincere connections and filling your wallet with business cards. Instead, the real goal is to turn brief encounters into mutually-beneficial and lasting friendships—in both your personal and professional life. Drawing on wisdom from her own experience and from experts like psychologist Robert Cialdini, marketer Michael Katz, and authors Judy Robinett and Keith Ferrazzi, Clark provides valuable insight on how to be a good networker, including concrete tips on how to: - Turn initial small talk into meaningful exchanges - Unlock the power of social media as a networking tool - Transform casual online contacts into real-world connections - Make the most of conferences - Set a schedule for keeping in regular touch with your network - Repair and strengthen troubled relationships - Create your own events and become a connector Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, and whether you currently relish or loathe making new connections, Clark will teach you the strategies you need to make networking fun, joyful, and enriching.

Bestselling author Harvey Mackay reveals his techniques for the most essential tool in business--networking, the indispensable art of building contacts. Now in paperback, Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty is Harvey Mackay's last word on how to get what you want from the world through networking. For everyone from the sales rep facing a career-making deal to the entrepreneur in search of capital, Dig Your Well explains how meeting these needs should be no more than a few calls away. This shrewdly practical book distills Mackay's wisdom gleaned from years of "swimming with sharks," including: What kinds of networks exist How to start a network, and how to wring the most from it The smart way to downsize your list--who to keep, who to dump How to keep track of favors done and favors owed--Is it my lunch or yours? What you can do if you are not good at small talk Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty is a must for anyone who wants to get ahead by reaching out.

Virtually all hob hunting experts agree that networking is the best way to find a great job. But most people don't have connections to the decision makers who do the hiring. Orville Pierson, a top expert in job hunting, tells you how to succeed by effectively using your current circle of contacts. He cuts through the myths and misunderstanding to shouw you how millions of job hunters have networked their way to great new jobs. Highly Effective Networking empowers you to: Use a small network to reach dozens of insiders and decision makers; get the right message to the right people; create a project plan to organize your networking efforts; speak effectively and comfortably with our networking contacts; and talk to decision makers before the job opening is announced.

Offers advice that employees and managers can use to find their strengths and succeed at work.

Cut through the networking noise and start building the powerful, real relationships needed to succeed in our digital world If you think of networking as schmoozing at boring cocktail parties or scrolling through LinkedIn for new contacts to add, think again. In the social media age, you need a modern roadmap for creating and cultivating meaningful connections to stand out from the crowd and achieve any of your goals, no matter how big or small. In Build Your Dream Network, acclaimed business columnist and networking expert J. Kelly Hoey offers a fresh new approach to mastering this timeworn skill in a world where everyone is posting, liking, and friending fast and furiously, but many are failing to leverage their connections successfully. Hoey presents innovative strategies for forming strong relationships—the genuine, mutually beneficial, long-lasting kind—using all of the social tools at your disposal. She also reveals creative and surprisingly simple ways to harness the power of your network to accomplish any ambition, from landing your dream job or a coveted account or client to successfully crowdfunding a new business venture. Build Your Dream Network will help you: - Determine the most effective ways to connect with others so you don’t clutter your calendar with dead-end coffee dates and informational interviews - Synchronize IRL networking efforts with your digital outreach - Turn “closed door” conversations into strong personal relationships and business opportunities - Eliminate FOMO by keeping your networking efforts focused Packed with infographics, flowcharts, and encouraging advice, Build Your Dream Network shows how small adjustments in your daily routine, generosity, and goal-focused efforts are all it takes to set you apart and ignite the powerful connections that will lead to major opportunities for success.

The goal is to create real connections that help both a person and a business to make meaningful contacts that are life changing and life giving.

Networking requires you to "kiss a lot of frogs" (i.e., meet a lot of people) to find your "princes"-those precious few who can make a difference in your life. But the real secret to networking is discovering what you can do for someone else. Networking guru Darcy Rezac helps redefine networking-his "what can I do for you?" approach has helped thousands overcome their fear of networking and find more success. Rezac uses his trademarked 7-step N.E.T.W.O.R.K. process to help readers avoid the "toads" and make the right connections-in business and in life. N: Never leave home without one's business cards E: Establish, exchange, engage-simple techniques that really work T: Travel in pairs-how to have more fun networking W:"Work the pond"-practice Positive Networking and use time wisely O: Opportunity is everywhere-discover "small-worlds" connections R: Repeat, repeat, repeat-the more networking one does, the better one gets K: Keep it going-the art of follow-up and relationship-building