Customer Reviews

Work the Pond! Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Back in 2003, I attended a pivotal event at the Vancouver Enterprise Forum. Normally, these events generally follow a predictable pattern. People fill in the room, buy a drink and wander aimlessly. The venture capitalists avoid the nervous entrepreneurs with the bad pitches and the keen students stand nervously in the corner, not sure who to talk to. Old friends meet up and chat and newcomers do their best to try to look as comfortable as the old-timers.

But that evening was different. Darcy Rezac, Managing Director of the Vancouver Board of Trade, got on stage with a microphone, introduced himself, gave the group some ground rules and "permission to network".

Some of his rules included:

* it's about them, not you - find out what you can do for the other person;
* put your name tag on your upper right chest so that when you shake hands, the other person can see your name tag;
* invite others into your group and make the introductions so that people feel comfortable;
* look the other people in the eye - focus on them, and not on the venture capitalist walking by that you REALLY wanted to talk to;
* keep your cards handy in one pocket and use another pocket to store the cards you receive;
* when you offer a card, make sure you get the other person's card
* try to get 7 cards minimum per event that you attend
* give yourself permission to go out and meet people so that you can see how you can help them.

The energy that this talk unleashed was enormous. People laughed and chatted and exchanged cards. In fact, it was hard to shepherd them out of the room to the upstairs theater for the actual talk! This evening was a turning point in my own understanding of networking and I will always remember it. I bought Darcy's first book "The Frog and the Prince" that night from Gayle and read it that night.

I'm thrilled that Darcy Rezac, Judy Thomson, and Gayle Hallgren-Rezac are at it again and are releasing this book in the United States in paperback format so that lots of people will be able to afford it.

No matter what you do - business, government, or non-profit work - if you need to work with people and build out your eco-system of "weak links", you need to read this book. I highly recommend it.

Congratulations Darcy, Judy, and Gayle!

It doesn't matter how you answered the title question in this review;whether you're a veteran of the networking wars, or a rookie, you need this book. The author presents the often misunderstood art of networking in a positive, straightforward fashion that enables networkers at all levels to improve and excel at this vital contact sport! At the very least, this is an opportunity to add some spice to your professional and personal quality of life!

I find WORK THE POND! very useful. Since networking consists of your relationships with people, by definition, networks are always on, as the authors say: You're always networking in some form or other - in hibernation, poorly, or well. This book provides practical, positive actions that anyone can adopt, from business card etiquette to joining a conversation amid a room full of strangers. At the same time, the authors present thought-provoking principles which pique rather than insult your intelligence. "Discovering what you can do for someone else" is a principle which can be applied to networking opportunities anywhere. Having worked in Asia, Europe and the US, I believe these principles and practices can generate positive effects in any culture. This book can help you improve your enjoyment and effectiveness in networking whether you are an outgoing jet-setting corporate chief or the opposite. The authors use an abundance of real-life anecdotes and real-people examples, quotes, nuggets, and summaries to bring across the message across in a lively, positive, concrete, useful and efficient way.

WORK THE POND is an enjoyable read, built upon irrefutable logic, simply presented. It is readily apparent why the book has been so successful and so appreciated by people I admire; AND, even for those of us who are more private and less sociable in professional pursuits, it can be seen how the greatest successes in career and life have most likely been helped by friends and partners - a byproduct of networking of one kind or another, even if accidental!

People with unique talent and/or skills that are in high demand (artists, scientists et al.) - particularly if they have associates who are solid networkers - can probably fudge the deal, avoiding much of what this book suggests, but the wisdom of the message is that they'd likely be even more successful and respected if they networked methodically; meaning not at the expense of their productive and creative time, but complementary to it.


Gary Bannerman
Author, journalist, broadcaster and corporate communications consultant.

"Uncommon common sense"
Not only does Work the Pond provide the theoretical underpinnings of networks (the `why' of networking) it also gives you the `how' of networking. It's a quick and entertaining read with plenty of anecdotes that describe networking as a positive means to manage one's daily interactions to one's long-term benefit and professional growth. It provides seven well-organized steps to assist anyone in becoming a better networker and enjoying it more. I gave it as a gift to my two employees, my niece for graduation, and my husband. It's a book of uncommon common sense about not only the value, but the inherent goodness of positive networking.

This book has a refreshing approach to networking - and, as the title
suggests, it's a positive one. The authors invite you to rethink your
approach to networking by starting with the premise that networking is about
discovering what you can do for others. Thus, this book will appeal to those
who may have previously neglected their networking skills because they
thought of the practice as self-serving.
The book's message is delivered with clarity and its points are
illustrated with pertinent anecdotes to make the theory come alive. There
are practical tips that anyone can follow, and nuggets of information
distilled from the most up-to-date research. The writing is direct and
concise, and summaries are provided at the end of each chapter.

I am a critical care nurse and life coach. Prior to becoming a life coach, networking was an unwanted and not practiced tool. WhenI read "Working The Pond" I realized how positive networking is not only a business skill, it is also a
"life skill", a skill one can never know or practice too much. The attitude and energy of "What can I do for you" is life affirming for both the giver and receiver.
This book has helped me to take my skills as a nurse-healer, and life coach into all facets of my life whether I am with a patient, client, at a party, meeting or on a bus. Thanks to Darcy, Gayle and Judy for such great information provided in such an entertaining form.

Here's your safety net for taking the leap into networking. "Work the Pond" is a must have tool for building successful relationships. The power of networking will enrich your life, personally and professionally beyond your imagination.

Darcy takes his message of "What can I do for you?" by sharing his knowledge and expertise on positive networking. He even tells you exactly where to find opportunity!

Valuable "Nuggets" of helpful tips are sprinkled throughout the pages that give you a book inside a book. One of my favorites: It's not the mistake that matters; it the recovery.

Thanks to Darcy, Judy and Gayle, these tips and techniques will surly expedite the process of my vision to touch and enrich a million lives. Know that you make a difference! I count you as one of my "Lucky Stars".

Darcy's book has been a valuable tool for me. The success of my small business depends totally on my skills to connect with potential customers. Work the Pond is a practical guide with advice that I implemented right away. By focusing on what I can do for other people as advised in Work the Pond, the pressure's off me to pitch my products and I've found my network expanding.

It's not often that the keys to success are dropped right into our "proverbial laps". However, such is the case with the invaluable networking tips given to those who read "Work the Pond". I am the world's worst naysayer when it comes to these "self-help business books". This one is honestly different. It's a quick read and the information can easily be put to use as soon as you put the book down."Positive networking is all about jumping in and getting your feet wet..",Mr. Rezac writes. But he doesn't push you into that "networking pond" without giving you the basics you need to know to keep you swimming well ahead of the networking "pack". In the end, the results you can achieve are even more "ribiting" than the read!