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Review
“Despite years of sales and training experience, when I first started Business Networking I found it really hard to do. Over the last five years, I have learnt a lot about networking; then I read this excellent, highly practical book, only to find out so much more about business networking. It is written in an easy to read, down to earth style that makes it simple to learn lessons (and there are loads of them). Even if you are an experienced networker (combining online and offline), I highly recommend you read this book.
If you are new to networking, nervous about or not getting enough results from your networking - you definitely need to buy this book.”
Jon Baker – Business Coach with Venture-now
“If you ever thought face to face or social networking was difficult or would not work for you – think again! This book makes it easy and really shows why networking online and offline should be your first choice in how to do more business, more enjoyably than ever before. It should be your networking Bible!”
Bruce King - Author of How To Double Your Sales
"If you want to achieve workplace success, and build a strong personal brand, then business networking is critical. Take the first step to understanding and implementing networking strategies by reading Heather's book!"
Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0 and founder of Millennial Branding, LLC
“A great practical guide to all aspects of networking – stuffed with lots of quick and easy tips to help you leverage the power of your network.”
Ivan Misner, NY Times Bestselling author and Founder of BNI and Referral Institute
“If business networking was an applied science, Heather Townsend’s book would be the curriculum, survival guide and roadmap to this often misunderstood aspect of life and business. Having studied and interviewed the UK and the world’s top thought leaders on the subject, coupled with her own practical experience, this book offers an objective overview, discussing business networking’s global principles which are clearly laid out and explained.
Whether it be face-to-face, or making connections through twitter, every aspect of connecting with others is uncovered and explained. Readers can hope to have a shifted perception about how they should view networking but most importantly, to learn how to stop wasting time and invest in the actions which, further down the line, will lead to personal referrals or valuable connections – the end goal. This guide should be read by entrepreneurs, job seekers, employees on all levels, and, in my opinion, high school kids ready to take on the world. Nothing evangelical, easy-to-read, practical and highly recommended.”
David Stoch, Director, Meerkat PR.
“There are few people as proficient as Heather in both face-to-face and online networking. Queen of Twitter and founder of the impressive Executive Village network, she shares her knowledge in a very practical way in this really valuable handbook. It will give you the confidence and tools you need to excel in both worlds, joining up your on- and offline activity for networking success. I’d recommend this book to anyone in business – whether you are looking to build a company or boost your professional career.”
Sonja Jefferson, Director of Valuable Content
“Heather delivers the ultimate guide for the ultimate business tool of the 21st Century.
Business networking is, in the 2010’s, what talent management was during the 2000’s. It is the essence of sustainable competitive advantage for business. As ‘talent management’ was deemed by some, to their detriment, to be a load of ‘mumbo jumbo’ nonsense, the same can be said of attitudes to networking. Networking is one of those areas where you need to ask yourself ‘Can you afford not to?’ rather than ‘can I spare the time for this?’
Heather’s guide to Networking covers all the ‘etiquette’ that enables people to develop in to effective networkers, whilst not being so prescriptive that it stifles individuality. The guide covers all the different ‘medium’ by which networking can take place. A guide for those new to networking, as well as those ‘older heads’ that need to re-evaluate or refine their approach.
A must read.”
Marc Lawn, Founder of The Business GP
“At the time I reviewed this book, it was the most relevant, current and comprehensive guide to Business Networking available. For the novice this is quite appropriate as an introduction to Business Networking. For the seasoned networker the book is a review of current best practice networking strategies and techniques for both offline and online networking. A reference manual to dip into for guidance, inspiration or a ‘how to’ tip.
An excellent, well presented opening chapter on ‘Why Network’ whets your appetite and sets the foundation for a journey from Why Network, through Where to Network and most importantly ...How to Network.
Well researched, the book is punctuated with references and a highly relevant bibliography of books, articles and e-media, allowing the reader to research further any subjects that particularly resonate with them.
I particularly like Heathers pragmatic style. While the book works extremely well as a ‘how to’ network online and offline manual, Heather understands that it is not enough to know ‘how to’ you have to take this knowledge and apply it ... ‘Do It’. This is where this book excel’s, each chapter closes with Action Points, there are tip’s and idea’s throughout the book, example letters/email templates, processes and questionnaires to help you analyse and review your business networking strategies and so on...
Apply what you learn in this book and you will benefit from the competitive advantage that being an ‘A Lister’ joined up networker brings.”
Mick Holloway, co-founder of NetLinked
This guide introduces an effective joined-up networking strategy. Townsend discusses everything you need to know to get the most out of networking, both face-to-face and online.
Finance and Management, 2nd July 2011.
Product Description
If you’re a busy professional, networking is the fastest and most effective way to build your business or career. Networking is a skill you can’t afford to be without. But what’s the best way to do it? The Financial Times Guide to Business Networking is your definitive introduction to a joined-up networking strategy that really works. Joined-up networking is the most effective way to win more business, climb the career ladder or set up and grow your own business. In this book, professional networker Heather Townsend guides you through everything you need to know to get the most out of both face-to-face and online networking.
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Customer Reviews
I really recommend you read this book whether you are a professional in business or someone who simply wants to develop this core competence. Heather is a performance improvement specialist for professional services, widely published writer and social media expert. She has written a timely book that not only simplifies and debunks the myths about networking, but also cleverly helps you join up and integrate your face-to-face and online approaches. She has spotted the opportunities being presented by the blurring of our online and offline lives.
Heather has managed to avoid making this another dry business book through bringing a lively, positive and personal style. Her energy shines through from her considerable experience of working with lawyers and accountants, setting up and running her own coaching and consultancy business, practising what she preaches through networking on and offline herself and finding time to be a mother of two young children!
The book is an easy read, clearly structured with summaries, signposts to other resources and action points in the form of targeted questions at the end of each chapter. There are plenty of real life case studies to illustrate points, the benefits of networking are highlighted and I particularly liked the inclusion of an `opportunity score' - a measure of your networking effectiveness.
Heather doesn't leave it there, she also provides practical ways you can develop and increase your score whether it's working a room at a network event or maximising LinkedIn and Twitter. There is a supporting website where you can share stories. Like the good coach she obviously is, she helps you overcome your fears. It has certainly given me more confidence and many ideas for actions to take that will help me and my business going forward.
Fast forward two months and my second event. I was confident, well-prepared with a rehearsed 60-minute introduction speech and a slick one-line reply that gave the benefits of my business. I chatted to several new people and any time the conversation dried up or I felt "stuck" I confidently asked who else that person could introduce me to. The contrast to my first experience couldn't be more stark.
What made the difference?
This wonderful book!
It demystifies the networking process and gives simple but effective tips on how to prepare, conduct yourself and follow-up, whether you're attending a face-to-face networking event, using social media or writing a blog.
The book contains steps on how to craft the perfect intro speech and what to say to get the converstion going without spruiking your own business.
Following my first awkward and painful experience I vowed I'd never go to another networking event again, but Heather's wise words gave me the confidence to give it another go - with amazing results.
If you're serious about your business then you can't avoid networking and I recommend you purchase The FT Guide to Business Networking - your business will thank you for it!
As the book says networking isn't just about being connected to the right people it means having strong relationships, being visible the high level of personal credibility. It is also about understanding your goals, planning before events modifying your approach to meet the needs of different audiences across different cultures. All these aspects and many more are covered in the book.
The book is very easy to read and the chapters are self-contained with summaries and action points; but don't rush it. I like being able to read a chapter and then come back to it later with ideas of what I might want to do next and sense check them with the material. It gives a lot of very good practical ideas about all aspects of networking. For those who find networking in a room difficult chapter 10 gives a number of very good pointers and tips on what to do and how to become more involved.
Although I would count myself as a seasoned networker and marketer I found many practical ideas of how to improve what I do and how to become more effective. Buy and use this book - it is not another management book to rest on a shelf; it is a real workbook and can help you become a more effective and efficient networker.
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