Networking Smart: How to Build Relationships for Personal and Organizational Success [Hardcover]

Wayne E. Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 1994

The ability to manage networks of people can make or break a career or a whole company. Now networking expert and trainer Wayne Baker teaches managers the techniques they need to successfully develop, maintain, and use people networks to full advantage. Baker illustrates how to create a network of business relationships both inside and outside the organization. Readers discover how to set up their own "Central Intelligence Agency" to gather information. They learn how to build and manage internal networks to deal with diversity, serendipity, conflicts, and bottlenecks encountered from bosses and subordinates. External networking is critical too and Baker details how to foster and maintain strong relationships with customers, clients, suppliers, and even competitors. This is the complete guide to a skill that no one in the business world can afford not to master.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the Top 30 business books of 1994." -- Executive Book Summaries --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Wayne E. Baker, Ph.D., is professor of organizational behavior and director of the Center for Society & Economy at the University of Michigan Business School. He puts his knowledge into action through his work with Humax Corporation, an assessment and training firm specializing in personal and organizational development (www.humaxnetworks.com). He leads workshops and gives lectures around the world on the power of social capital. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill (December 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070050929
• ISBN-13: 978-0070050921
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,550,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional. Recommended without reservations, August 19, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Networking Smart: How to Build Relationships for Personal and Organizational Success (Hardcover)

Baker contends that networking isn't just for job-hunters or for the self-employed: *everyone* needs this critical set of skills to survive the 1990s and beyond. Lucidly explaining his claims--and backing them up with plenty of solid scientific evidence--he covers, among other things, basic networking principles; the salutary effects (including, for individuals, improved promotion prospects, salary levels, and even physical and mental health; for organizations, improved quality, reputations, and bottom lines) of well-established and well-maintained networks; managing relationships with peers, subordinates, and superiors within an organization; breaking bottlenecks and building bridges between organizational units; encouraging creativity; tapping the power of diversity; networking throughout the organizational life cycle; and managing relationships outside an organization. The latter section discusses how to use networking to find good people to hire; to change jobs; to establish relationships with customers and clients; to develop positive word-of-mouth in marketing; to build partnerships with suppliers; and to co-operate with competitors. There's also a description of how to start or join a networking club. Each chapter concludes with practical lists of actions you can take now, soon, and in the long run. An exceptional contribution to a burgeoning sub-genre: Baker proves that networking has truly come of age as a powerful and empowering force in business.

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book about Personal Networking!, July 29, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Networking Smart: How to Build Relationships for Personal and Organizational Success (Hardcover)

When I read Wayne's book it really started a creative process within me. I also writes about personal networking, and Wayne has given me a lot of ideas working on. A book that must be read!