This is a copy of the original text by Lucio Buffalmano, Never Eat Alone Summary for Power-Networking Men.

The original text is given https://thepowermoves.com/never-eat-alone/.

The mindset of networking Link to heading

  • You can’t go very far alone.
  • Seed relationships today to enjoy tomorrow’s fruits.
  • Ask! You need to ask.
  • The power of networks grows exponentially.
  • To get: give.

Smarts, talent, and resources all matter. But they still won’t do much by themselves without good people around them.

Business is a human enterprise.

When you strip any business, at its core, is always about people dealing with people. People selling to people, people working with people, people hiring people, etc., etc.

Never eat alone: Stay visible Link to heading

Never eating alone means keeping your networking schedule always full.

One connection might not pan out, but you must have another 6 engagements just like that lined up over the week through breakfast, lunches, or after-work events.

As an up-and-comer you must do the legwork: stay visible, connect, and network.

Networking tips Link to heading

  • Do your homework: know what they’re like before meeting them.
  • Follow up: remind them what you can do for them, not the other way around.
  • Be authentic: Ferrazzi says vulnerability is one of the most underrated traits.
  • Treat gatekeepers well: they’re often close to the decision-makers.
  • On events: help organize them and speak there.
  • Relationships are like muscles: the more you use them (give & take) the stronger they get.
  • Connect with connectors: those people who know everyone.
  • Exchange networks: everyone in your network is a door to a huge network; help them with yours, and they’ll help you with theirs.
  • Quality time for deeper relationships! What are they about? Health, wealth, and children are usually what matters most to people.
  • Ping! The network will die unless you keep in touch. Pinging is grunt work, but it’s what keeps your network alive.

How to give value Link to heading

To develop a good network, you need to be a valuable person to others.

Here are the three tips:

  • Opinions: Ferrazzi says that to be interesting, you need to have some uniqueness. Talking about events and stuff is not enough, have an opinion on them instead.
  • Expertise: Forget about job titles: what’s your expertise? Become a master at something so that you can bring expertise to the table.
  • Story: Once you know who you are, what you stand for, and what’s your expertise: build a compelling story around it.