Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time was recommended to me several years back by a fellow salesman that attended my lead sharing group. Ferrazzi is a great writer vividly describing how his father enabled him to break with his blue collar background by networking profusely on his behalf. Ferrazzi ended up attending a prep school well beyond his parents means, gaining the benefits that come by knowing the well off parents of his peers (he became a caddy), attending Yale and launching a successful career.

I was in sales when I first read the book and thought the very practical ideas and tactics Keith presents made a lot of sense. I eagerly put them into practice, in both my business and personal dealings, and have developed strong relationships I would have never had without the book. I’ve nourished those ties over the years and attribute my ability to connect strongly with people to much of what Ferrazzi proposes in Never Eat Alone.

For those of you who feel a bit uncomfortable or even hypocritical networking, give this book a shot. The objective according to him is to take a win-win attitude making sure all parties benefit from the relationship. No one should feel duped. He stresses repeatedly that people will see right through an “act” pointing out that an approach like will very quickly backfire.

Ferrazzi is NOT promoting two-faced, self-serving brown nosing. He’s is showing us how to develop life skills for improving our ability to:

• connect with people,
• gain their trust and
• improve our ability to influence and lead them.

The book has advice on how to work a networking event, how to leave a more lasting impression on people and how to effectively follow up with people so they remember you and the messge your shared with them.

The book is appropriate for anyone from the shy and socially awkward to the naturally outgoing and charismatic. No matter if you are job hunting or pursuing a successful career in your professional of choice, you need to make the best use of your circle of contacts. Never Eat Alone delivers what you need to leverage your contacts and enlist them in achieving your goals.

Hope this helps.