Customer Reviews

Great Connections: Small Talk and Networking for Businesspeople

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Possibly the best book on networking I've ever read (and I read a *lot* of them as background for a seminar I teach). Gives detailed, practical strategies and tools based on a sound understanding of effective interpersonal relations. Written in a lively, engaging style that suits the subject matter and the authors' philosophy perfectly. Recommended without reservation for job hunters, career builders, and entrepreneurs.

Many people are not able to get what they want out of their careers and even their personal lives because they do not the finer points of initiating a conversation and keeping it flowing. Great Connections by Anne Barber and Lynne Waymon provides much constructive insight into the world of establishing small talk and networking.

Barber and Waymon illustrate the value of making positive connections by asking questions that go beyond a simple yes or no. Techniques to remember someone's name is also explored. Also, they both emphasize the positives of maintaining good body language. Etiquette is reviewed as well in a detailed yet simplified matter. The authors go over the proper way of introducing people whether its your mom to your supervisor or a man to a woman.

The authors emphasize the aspects of bringing an agenda(plan) to your networking conversations. Focus is the key here and the idea is to emphasize to those looking for a favor to also try to offer a favor as well.

The use of exercises is indeed quite helpful. In addition, the glossary of other helpful books is quite easy on the eyes. Great Connections is a nice short but sweet package.

Excellent book, very useful. Not only applicable to business. I have been living in the US for 12 years and I can speak English pretty well. However, language alone is not enough. The culture also needs to be understood. This book teaches the culture of interpersonal communications, how to start and build a relationship from scratch using small talk as a tool to understand and make yourself understood. What also struck me in the book is the combination of practical advice, lively easy to read and highly enjoyable style, while based upon very deep trully scientific insights into the subject. Highly recommend!

Concise, to the point, and easy to read "Great Connections" does all it promises, a reader can learn volumes about networking, making small talk, overcoming shyness and communicating through body posture. There are many helpful tips on how to start a conversation with anyone, ideas for topics to discuss and topics to avoid, how to join a group of people already talking and how to know when a conversation is finished and bring it to an end. The techniques described are easy to put into practice.

Though intended mainly for business networking the skills here can be applied to many kinds of situation requiring small talk. Not just for the shy, also great for intellectuals or the emotionally intense who have trouble making casual and light conversation.

The books spends a lot of its content on explaining WHY networking is important. That didn't go down well with me...I wouldn't have spent time reading the book if I didnt value networking in the first place.

Secondly, it has a lot of tips on subjects to keep conversations going. I was really interested in finding out how conversations are STARTED but rather how to go out and make a cold start with someone.