Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) [Paperback]

Melissa Giovagnoli (Author), Jocelyn Carter-Miller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787948195 | ISBN-13: 978-0787948191 | Publication Date: June 20, 2000 | Edition: 1st

A career safety net for the new economy, Networlding shows you how to build the mutually beneficial relationships that are the real keys to job satisfaction, career advancement, and personal fulfillment in the 21st century. The authors, both renowned networking experts, offer a transformational, seven-step networlding process built on their unique support exchange model. They explain how you can use networlding to generate a constant flow of exciting opportunities for expanding your career, starting a new business, or launching a community project. A wealth of practical tools, including quizzes, exercises, and risk-free simulations, help you create the kind of connections that are today's best catalysts for career success.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If "networking" was the battle cry of the business world at the tail end of the 20th century, Melissa Giovagnoli and Jocelyn Carter-Miller hope to make "networlding" its call to arms in the new millennium. Giovagnoli, a consultant and speaker, and Carter-Miller, a Motorola executive, agree that one-to-one connectivity is still the key to professional advancement. However, they believe their updated concept will prove more effective in coming years because, if properly implemented, it will forge deeper bonds and lead to greater opportunities than its more superficial predecessor ever could. In Networlding, the authors explain their practice as a "purposeful process of collaboration" among individuals who "share similar intent, values, goals, and interests." They then lay out a seven-step system for developing such mutually beneficial personal relationships, ranging from the establishment of "a values-rich foundation" through the formation and cultivation of a circle of "connections" with whom you "co-create opportunities" that move everyone ahead. There are plenty of specifics, exercises, and real-life examples here for those serious about attempting this technique. It should prove applicable for almost anyone in any type of business situation and virtually any stage of his or her career. --Howard Rothman

From Publishers Weekly

Declaring that in today's workplace, simple networking is no longer enough, Giovagnoli and Carter-Miller present a prescriptive plan combining career advancement with social reform. In contrast to the traditional aim of networking for one's own financial gain or prestige, they espouse "networlding," in which advancement may be a motive but there's a difference in intent. Networlding involves focusing on a larger issue, such as increasing diversity in the workplace or offering assistance for a social program. Among the specific rules of networlding offered by Giovagnoli, a human resource specialist, and Carter-Miller, an executive at Motorola: "Grow and nurture your relationships," "Expand your connections" and "Make both your redundant and divergent connections count." The last rule is easy to overlook: the authors cite someone looking for a job who got a lead after talking to a parent at a Little League game. Even more important than following these rules is having a clear sense of one's values. The authors present a straightforward approach for identifying and prioritizing values, creating a personal charter and setting goals for the coming year. While readers who haven't consciously networked during their career may find this approach difficult to follow, those who have will benefit from this concise and innovative primer. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (June 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787948195
• ISBN-13: 978-0787948191
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,308,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melissa is one of the world's leading experts on the development of individual and community leadership networks as a means of growing and accelerating brand loyalty and performance improvement inside and outside organizations. For more than a decade Melissa's organization, Networlding, has provided exceptional relationship and thought leader marketing, publishing and social media innovation programs for organizations like AT&T, CNA, UBS, Motorola and Disney. Melissa is also a keynote speaker on the subject of social media, LinkedIn and leadership networks.

Melissa is also the author and/or co-author of ten top-selling books. Her seventh book, co-authored with former CMO of Office Depot, Jocelyn Carter Miller, held the #10 spot on Amazon (in Chicago) for a year. Other books include:

- Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success (#10 on Amazon, in Chicago, for 12 months)
- The Chicago Entrepreneurs Sourcebook (rated one of the top 10 small business books in Chicago)
- 75 Cage Rattling Questions that Change the Way You Work (McGraw Hill)- (one of the top 10 creativity books for three years).
- The Power of Two: Rethinking and Reforming Strategic Alliances (Jossey Bass)

Four of Melissa's books have been on top business book lists including: The Power-of-Two and Networlding, recognized by Booz Allen as two of the top ten alliance management books. Melissa has also been a guest on both radio and television including The Today Show, CNN, WGN, CNBC and FOX. One of her books was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is a frequent presenter at conferences looking for interactive sessions. Her unique program, The Extravaganza, has been highly evaluated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and she has won a Consummate Speaker of the Year Award.

With a BA in Sociology and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, Melissa went on to found Service Showcase, Inc., a consulting, training and coaching firm started in 1986. For the past twelve years she has grown the company to include clients like Price Waterhouse, AT&T, Dean Foods and Motorola as well as dozens of smaller companies and organizations. In 1998 she was chosen as one of six extraordinary women of the year by The University of Chicago Women's Graduate Business Alumni Board. Networlding was recently licensed by Yale University through their graduate school of business.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars another trendy very very lite book on networking, September 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Paperback)

I did not buy into the authors concept of NetWorlding. I was looking for a book that was more practical - their approach is very administrative full of trendy verbiage, like the title -'NetWorlding'. To really understand networking you need to understand politics - the best networkers are usually politically astute. Check out 'The Secret Handshake' by Kathleen Kelley Reardon. It has a much deeper and useful treatment of how to build and manage usable connections.
That's my take - loopster - Chicago, IL

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Networking Success in the New Millennium, October 22, 2000

By 

"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Paperback)

"Networlding" is a major leap in beyond related books from the 20th century. I'd even call it evolutionary.

Dale Carnegies' 1937 classic, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," is still a great place to start building networking skills, and there are many other "good" books on the subject available today. If you've read any networking books, or have an appreciation for the power of relationships, you are ready for what "Networlding" has to offer.

As the owner of Schmoozemonger.com, it's my job to stay on top of the various philosophies on building effective networks. After reading it, "Networlding" immediately became my #1 recommended book on networking. I personally apply the 7-step system for building a values-centered network.

The great news is, even if you already have an extensive network, you can still apply the concepts of "Networlding" to your network. I've been able to improve existing relationships by implementing these techniques, and applying the overall philosophy into my business dealings.

"Networlding" is a very good read. It definitely does not "talk down" to you or fill you with empty enthusiasm that never lasts, nor does it come at you with a clinical, academic structure that can be very sterile and dry. No false "Get rich quick" promises either.

The pages turn quickly, but I recommend keeping a highlighter and stack of Post-it notes nearby. "Networlding" will quickly become a go-to resource for you as you build the skills taught in the book.

Giovagnoli and Carter-Miller have developed the definitive networking concept for social-minded people who want more out of their business relationships.

At best, this book will change your life, and help you go places you never thought possible. There really is no downside, because you can't help but take away a few tips or techniques you can apply immediately.

If you really want deeper, meaningful, effective business relationships, buy this book!

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Highly overrated, October 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Networlding: Building Relationships and Opportunities for Success (Jossey-Bass Business & Management) (Paperback)

Having seen the hype for this book, I feel compelled to add my thoughts. It's terribly written. I read three or four chapters and still don't know what it's about. As you read, you realize that two self-indulgent, but obviously successful, women have tried to extrapolate the reasons for their personal success into some grandiose worldview that they are anxious to share with the rest of us. However, since they take so long to begin, it becomes clear that they have, in fact, very little to say and are trying desparately to fill up enough pages so that a reputable publisher won't be embarassed in offering this tome in hard cover. What really becomes cloying are the constant vignettes created with no connection to any persons, living or dead, beyond the use of recognizable first names. Each little hollow vignette conveniently validates some incredibly insightful pronouncement of the author, but it strains credulity to believe that it ever occurred in reality. But it sure fills up the pages. Thank goodness for Amazon.com's return policy.