The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections [Paperback]

John L. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2001

The Essential Network is a book about building a network of support to build your business, and a practical guide to building connections for personal growth and business development.

This book is about establishing, maintaining, and reaping the benefits of connections. It incorporates many personal stories to illustrate the productive results that can occur from building connections. These include people who have found life-partners, avoided personal and financial disasters, made career changes, built businesses, and met famous people. The Essential Network is a guide to build and grow networks, to utilize networks more efficiently, and to maintain and cultivate personal and professional networks more effectively.

The Essential Network contains more than 50 personal examples of successful networking in a variety of businesses and professions and provides more than 65 proven action items. This book was written both for the novice who wishes to build a personal and professional network and the experienced networker who wishes to further grow their connections. Complete with a bibliography, The Essential Network serves as an invaluable roadmap into the resource-building world of relationships.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is terrific. The simplistic presentation is given life by the page-by-page testimonials." -- Edward J. Ryan; Orchard Park, NY

John Bennett recognizes that networking is about giving and not taking. He addresses the best way to achieve--helping others succeed. -- John Sullivan, PMP, Project Manager and Columnist for PM Network Magazine, the official magazine of the Project Management Institute.

About the Author

John Bennett, MPA, CMC is president of Lawton & Associates, an organizational development firm committed to helping individuals and organizations prepare for, excel through, and improve from change. He is a consultant, executive coach, professional speaker, and trainer. John is also the author of numerous articles, and the book Leading the Edge of Change, also published by Paw Print Press. Mr. Bennett lives on Lake Norman near Charlotte, NC and travels extensively for domestic and international clients.

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Paw Print Press (August 15, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0967832314
• ISBN-13: 978-0967832319
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,182,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, Instructive, April 18, 2002

By 

Roger E. Herman (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections (Paperback)

Networking is a buzzword-and a technique-of the times. As the world shrinks, through improved communication and speed, the more people you know, the stronger you are. You have greater strength to get things accomplished when you "know someone" who can help you down the path. "Six degrees of separation" has become a mantra for some.

John Bennett, a Certified Management Consultant, has put together an easy-to-read-and use-handbook of networking. There's a technique on each page. Simple, direct, not pages of wasted words. Most of the content seems like common sense, though as Voltaire told us, "common sense is uncommon." There is no table of contents, no index, no appendices. Just page after page of things you ought to know, but might have forgotten. It's a good reminder for everyone involved in networking . . . and we all are.

On most pages, the author also provides us with a box entitled "It works." These sidebars are quotes from a wide range of people who, in short statement, validate the value of networking to them. There is no connection between the technique presented on each page and the quote printed on the same page. It's like reading two books at once, a bit disconcerting, but interesting as well. The quotes offer a glimpse into the thoughts of others and provide a list of some of John Bennett's networking contacts. Nice way to honor your friends, colleagues, and clients.

This book would be a good gift for that new graduate or for a protégé as you start a mentoring relationship.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, October 23, 2001

By 

Larry James (Scottsdale, AZ USA - Larry James - CelebrateLove.com) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections (Paperback)

The principles of business networking in an easy-read and understandable format.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important resource for business people!, October 2, 2001

By 

Debrah J. Martin (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Network: Success Through Personal Connections (Paperback)

If you depend on relationships to generate business for yourself or your company (and who doesn't?!) this book is for you. It includes examples of successful networking activities (including personal stories from professionals) as well as proven action items suitable for the novice or the experienced networker. Highly recommended.