“Never eat alone” is the title of the most recognized book worldwide on networking issues. The book was written in 2005 by Keith Ferrazzi, an American consultant, entrepreneur, and writer specializing in personal development in the business world. In addition, the book in question has led the sales list in the Wall Street Journal and, above all, has become the reference, the bible of professional networking.
I read the book about 15 years ago and I really loved it. From the beginning of my professional career, I have been very clear that networking well, interacting with other professionals is essential to enhance your personal brand and have a successful professional career. The main objective of good networking is to build long-term personal relationships in which all parties benefit.
- One of the first lessons that the book gives us is passion. Ferrazzi emphasizes that people love passion and relate to passionate people. So, if you want to build good professional relationships, you need to be passionate about the work you do, otherwise, it will be much more difficult to connect authentically with other professionals.
- Secondly, the author highlights the importance of knowledge of human psychology. He says that it is one of the most important disciplines in the world of management in particular and in life in general. All decisions and actions that people make are motivated by our psychology. And that is why it is essential to study and understand the way in which people think, feel and act. Ferrazzi says that “Life is related to work. Work is related to life. But both work and life are totally related to people.”
- The third idea that the book highlights is that of adding value. Keith says that when we meet someone for the first time, we usually think about how they can help us achieve our goals. Ferrazzi says it’s much better to think the other way around, that is, how you can help the person you just met. He says the key to good networking is giving, giving, giving. Since he understands that most people have a certain sense of justice and reciprocity that will mean that, in the future, one day he will positively return everything you have helped others. I am fully convinced of this statement and I usually say, to my intimates, that “it is better that they owe you favors than money”.
You also have to keep in mind that you have TO GO OUT, APPEAR, MOVE. As I often say “networking is a contact sport” so it is necessary to go out and contact people. Therefore, you have to go to conferences, social events, professional events… You can also network online, but meeting people, talking to them face to face, and shaking hands is irreplaceable. So you already know. Identify which acts interest you and take action.
And above all, USE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND TO SPREAD WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU DO, AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, MAKE IT VERY CLEAR HOW YOU CAN HELP OTHERS. In this sense, make good use of your social networks, your website, email, your business cards… Networking is connecting, so you must polish your tools to connect well. Because as Keith Ferrazi very well says “success in any field, but especially in the business world, is based on working with people, not against them”.
So you already know. To be successful professionally, I recommend that you “Never eat alone”.
