NF

Definitely a good read for those wanting to enhance their network of contacts and maintain them. The author goes through his methods which may seem extreme, but gives you insight on how to use your network of contacts effectively in order to benefit both yourself and your contacts. Especially enjoyed the attempts made to make contacts that were extremely successful, and at times, were not at all successful but at least provided a lesson that was learned for next time. The author also pushes the mentee/mentor relationship as he has been both, and has learned from both experiences. Recommended reading for anyone in business looking to be move ahead or simply make their own work easier by knowing the right people. ( )

I read this book somewhat diagonally, and it is designed to do so. Meaningful sub headers and check lists make it possible to find the key points while illustrative stories provide evidence of the strategies’ success. And, yes, the main lesson is to be generous sharing your connections to create networks of people who can help others. Be vulnerable, accountable, and honest, and people will trust you and work with you. ( )

Ugh, don't bother. After about twenty pages (fifty if you are feeling generous) reading this becomes pointless. That is, unless you want to hear all about how awesome the author thinks he is (I don't know about his success, but his self esteem seems to be doing fine).
Move along, nothing to see here. ( )

Swarmed around me at a cocktail reception stand men dressed up in suits, clean shaven, giving firm handshakes to their associates as they smirk maliciously ready to go in for the kill. After a warm welcome and a playful laugh, I see one man continue schmoozing in order to seal the deal before he walks away, smiling with success. However, in my eyes, this is not a success. I feel overcome with a sense of being demeaned, used, and just another name he gets to check off his list of target contacts. This is how I envisioned the concept of networking—before I read the book Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.

The #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Keith Ferrazzi, completely altered my perspective on networking, changing it from having an unwelcoming, negative connotation to a positive one associated with creativity and self-determination. It is an engaging read that targets young adults looking to expand their connections and build relationships. Throughout the book, he stresses how important this concept of networking is, however this brings up an interesting point in regards to his lingo. Notice how Ferrazzi titles his book Never Eat Alone, with the subtitle And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time. He strategically does not use the word ‘networking’ due to its infamous way of bringing up shifty feelings that turn a potential reader off. Rather, both the title and the content of the novel offer a humane approach, which sets this book apart from many others as a guide to build socially healthy and mutually beneficial relationships in the business world.

Throughout the novel, Ferrazzi emphasizes the importance of relationship building, rather than just making acquaintances. In my opinion, the main idea of this novel can be summed up in a single sentence from one of the first few pages where he states, “I've come to believe that connecting is one of the most important business—and life—skill sets you'll ever learn. Why? Because, flat out, people do business with people they know and like" (6). He brings up an interesting point in this statement because it seems so simple and obvious, yet escapes your mind when actually interacting with people. This is one of Ferazzi’s strong suits; he writes bluntly and to the point, allowing his readers to process the information and relate it to themselves.

One of the most influential points that benefited me after reading this novel is that this process is about making friends and establishing relationships. Ferrazzi exclaims “Those who are best at it don't network - they make friends” (60). Notice how again he avoids using ‘networking’ as the primary objective. From an outsider perspective, this makes me feel more important and cherished, knowing that my time is not going to waste, but rather will be the foundation of a friendship for years to come. At this point, Ferrazzi notes that in choosing people to befriend, usefulness and diversity are necessities. He is very persuasive in this manner. He writes, “It’s not about mass, it’s about a real connection” (63). This means that your actual network will start small, and stay small for a while, which is a new idea to me. The goal is to find people he refers to as ‘connectors’, or people who have a lot of connections. This is the most efficient way to gain contacts effectively and can be further read about in the novel The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi writes that the focus in building relationships should be on what you can do for people, not what they can do for you. This strengthens a relationship and also ties into the idea that a network should remain small for some time in order to properly cater to others’ needs.

Another point Ferrazzi writes about is the timing of when these relationships should be established. It is important to befriend others before you actually need the connection. People are more willing to do things when they feel important and can mutually benefit, rather than just feeling used. Therefore, these connections take time and hard work to develop. They should also be sincere and genuine, and that "Contrary to popular business wisdom, there does not have to be a rigid line between our private and public lives" (103). Ferrazzi continues to explain that you cannot have a boring personality, but you still should stay true to yourself. This contradictory concept confuses me. He states that you should be yourself, but if yourself is not good enough, then change. Ferrazzi offers examples such as getting interested in higher class events and functions such as golf or politics, however I remain skeptical of this idea as he labels himself as an elitist in doing so.

This brings me to the major flaw that gets progressively worse throughout the novel. By the end of the book, Keith Ferrazzi comes across as an elitist, using the novel as an autobiography. He takes every opportunity to brag about his connections and achievements, which irritates me as the reader trying to merely learn about business. Extracting his bragging sections, the 379-page novel could probably be about 150 pages. If it were not for the content being so interesting, I would have stopped reading half way in.

Still, I learned a lot from the novel, and if you can get through the egotistical nature, so will you. I plan on actively using what I have learned from it not only in the business world, but in my daily life in creating and strengthening relationships with strangers and my friends alike. Ferrazzi stressed how connections take work and time, making me recognize the value in communication and relationships. Therefore, if you are interested in expanding your friendships and growing your network, this book is an effective tool to aid you, and I definitely recommend reading it. ( )