The 29% Solution: 52 Weekly Networking Success Strategies (Hardcover)

~ Ivan Misner (Author), Michelle R. Donovan (Author)
Key Phrases: givers gain, expand your network, golden goose, The Week, Create Your Future, Become Magnetic (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. This guide to networking by Misner, the founder and chairman of BNI (Business Network International), is an invaluable roadmap for businesspeople seeking to develop or fine-tune a necessary and often overlooked skill. Misner and Donovan's title stems from a study that spawned the six degrees of separation theory, which actually revealed that only 29% of the population is connected to this extent. The authors say that despite its proven necessity, networking is scarcely taught in business schools, and their self-study course aims to fill the void with a self-assessment test and 52 weeks of assignments to beef up networking skills. Accessible and smartly structured chapters include action items and helpful tidbits like worksheets, assessments and questions to help readers schedule their networking from day to day and over the course of a career, from setting preliminary goals to becoming a Networking Mentor. While readers might not be able to make it into the exclusive ranks of the highly connected 29%, they will assuredly derive new tactics, tools and motivation. (Sept.)
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Review

An extraordinary book! It can take you and your business to a whole new level of success. --Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 286 pages
• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929774540
• ISBN-13: 978-1929774548
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,902 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference to Keep You on Track, September 17, 2008

By	J. Kennel "marriagefanatic" (Terre Haute, IN USA) - See all my reviews

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The authors start out with the premise that although networking is proven to be valuable in business, it is still rarely taught in business schools.

The book begins with a self-analysis test to help determine one's networking skills. Topics and assignments are broken down into 52 weeks, with spaces in some of the chapters for you to write in the book as you do that week's assignment. (Not every week has a writing area, so you may want to keep a separate notebook or keep notes and action steps on a Blackberry/PDA.)

It could almost be called Networking for Dummies or for Introverts or even for Clueless. I say that because the book addresses so many topics that brought some former co-workers and bosses to mind. MANY people who are in business at various levels could be helped by networking, but are not born schmoozers or networkers, and don't know where to begin.

This book charts out one of the simplest game plans for success that I've seen in quite awhile. It is not all new knowledge, but it is all in one place, so you can check off your progress and see what the next step is for growing your skills and your business. The plan is simple, but not always easy. As the authors say, it's netWORKing, not netEATing or netSITTing.

Topics included may require major changes or just minor tweaks to a person's life. Examples are: being accountable to a group, writing thank you notes, being engaging, writing a press release, getting and giving referrals, following up, being a change agent, becoming an expert, and more.

Recommended for complete wallflowers and introverts who may even know but don't ever DO. It's also good for extroverts and "self-made" individuals who think they are the best networkers in the world but who need refinement and more focus on others than just their own abilities and personality.

Terrific reference book to use and refer back to again and again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to increase business this is a must read!, July 25, 2008

By	Don Franklin "Owner RX Business Solutions" (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A recipe for success! If you want more business then check out this book. Follow these simple strategies and watch your business grow. Success is just around the corner with this book as your tool.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uncommon Application to Common Knowledge =29% Solution! A Must Read to Understand & Succeed In Today's Business Environment!, July 25, 2008

By	Mike L. Coy (AUSTIN, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr.Misner understands the concept of;"Just because you hit the car in front of you..it doesn't mean that you are connected"! Connecting with people..reaching networking success takes effort and a plan. The 29% Solution offers both. There's no "magic pill" when it comes to networking & referral marketing...it's a process Dr. Misner explains like no other.