Fast Track Networking – A Review

25 Jul Fast Track Networking – A Review

As seen on the The Deipnosophist, July, 25 2010

Fast Track Networking by Lucy Rosen with Claudia Gryvatz Copquin, is a worthwhile read. This “how-to” guide takes the work out of networking and optimizes a networker’s comfort and success.

Rosen’s suggestions come from years of trial and error. She impressively built her first women’s networking group in New York in the mid-80’s. Rosen notes that rewards abound for a person who connects professionals unconditionally.

Her analogy of networking with dating could not be truer. Every reader can recognize the correlation of attending an event where you know few people, if any, to first date jitters. Rosen provides the readers with easy ways to overcome these fears, and also reminds us how patience has its rewards.

The book focuses on tips for better networking with some great takeaways:
● Do your homework in advance of the networking event
● Get your elevator speech down to 30 seconds, but don’t sell your business
● Listen attentively
● Genuinely try to get to know others
● Don’t mingle for more than 10 minutes with any one person
● How to dress for success
● How to better position yourself in the room, and better ways to work a room
● Easy examples of how to break the ice in introductions (page 51)
● Best networking questions to get the other person talking (page 52)

Rosen discusses the importance of first impressions, and follow-up. She highlights other professionals’ stories of how their work translated to improved sales and stronger branding and reputation.

You can never know too many people and Rosen guides you on managing your contacts in “circles of ten.” The formation make sense and provides a professional with a semblance of organization to their contacts, with tips on proper maintenance of relationships through regimented contact and the use of social networking.

While her successes in networking stem from the 80’s, this book and guiding principles are up-to-date and relevant to today’s networking world. I recommend this book to any person who seeks to strategically and successfully build his or her business.
— David M Gordon / The Deipnosophist