Relationship Networking

I just finished reading Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone, and I've added it to my recommended reading list.  I found out about the book because Keith linked to my earlier posts on networking from his Never Eat Alone blog.  The book is a fabulous discussion of relationship networking.  And I wholeheartedly agree with Ferrazzi's attitude that giving back and mentoring others is a big part of being successful.

Toward the end of the book, he says,

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best in the world, as long as you remember that doing so also means wanting to be the best for the world. 

Remember that love, reciprocity, and knowledge are not like bank accounts that grow smaller as you use them.  Creativity begets more creativity, money begets more money, knowledge begets more knowledge, more friends beget more friends, success begets even more success.  Most important, giving begets giving.  At no time in history has this law of abundance been more apparent than in this connected age where the world increasingly functions in accord with networking principles.

Practicing law is all about relationships, and to be a great lawyer, you have to be great at establishing and maintaining relationships.  The same goes for marketing, and I think Ferrazzi would say, for life.

For anyone who is going to be in the area, Keith is speaking in NYC on Wednesday, February 8 at the 92nd Street Y.  You can register for the presentation here, and it's inexpensive.  Unfortunately, I can't be there, but I'd love to hear from anyone who does attend.

Comments

[Peter Olson]

I liked Keith's book as well. I like some his suggestions for including people in things you're going to do anyways. I thought it was funny that he'd bring people to church with him.