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The Skinny on Networking: Maximizing the Power of Numbers
You've probably heard the expression "It's not what you know, it s who you know." Well, there's a lot of truth to it. Of course you always need to work hard at your endeavor of choice ("what you know"). Your value in the business world depends on what you can do for people. Therefore, you must have a skill, information or expertise that others will consume that people will pay for. BUT, having that skill, information or expertise is often not enough to maximize your potential. You need people a network to help you distribute your skills. You need people to help you find a job, a loan, customers, or the right partner. The Skinny on Maximizing the Power of Numbers is about creating and maintaining your network. Illustrated, narrative and easily read in about one hour, this book condenses the thinking of experts, authors and celebrities alike and presents them in an entertaining and engaging format. In The Skinny on Networking yo uwill learn how maximize your reach on the internet; get to the people you need; create networking gravity; employ the principle of weak ties; think like a boomerang; expand your social capital; build a reciprocity field; utilize connectors; move beyond your comfort zone; cold call; leverage initial meeting.
- GenresBusiness
156 pages, Perfect Paperback
First published July 13, 2010
7 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jim Randel
42 books19 followersJim Randel, a graduate of the Columbia University College and Law School, has made his living as an entrepreneur. During his 30-year career, Jim has been the lead investor in many real estate and business deals. He has been a guest speaker at Harvard and NYU Business Schools, annual conventions for national organizations, and investor sessions in every large city in the United States. He has also appeared on numerous networks as an expert on investing. Recent engagements include ABC, CBS, Fox, Fox Business and BetterTV.com.
Throughout his career, Jim's passion has been to teach and write. His first book, The Real Estate Game (CCH), was published in 1986 and received national recognition from investors and critics. From 1988 to 1990 he was a daily commentator on the Financial News Network (now CNBC). In 2006 he wrote Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur (McGraw-Hill) which reached #1 in several Amazon categories.
In 2008 Jim founded Rand Media Co, which, under the imprint The Skinny On™, publishes a revolutionary line of illustrated non-fiction books.
The first book in this series, The Skinny on the Housing Crisis, was awarded First Prize in the prestigious Robert Bruss Real Estate Book competition sponsored by NAREE, a group of 600 journalists who cover business and finance. This was quickly followed by 8 more titles: The Skinny on Willpower, The Skinny on Credit Cards, The Skinny on Success, The Skinny on Real Estate Investing, The Skinny on Direct Sales (also available in Spanish as The Skinny on Venta Directa), The Skinny on Time Management, The Skinny on the Art of Persuasion, and the newest in the series, The Skinny on Networking.
Jim lives and works in Westport, Connecticut with his wife Carol. They have four grown children and two grandchildren.
For more information about the Skinny on series, go to: www.TheSkinnyOn.com.
Throughout his career, Jim's passion has been to teach and write. His first book, The Real Estate Game (CCH), was published in 1986 and received national recognition from investors and critics. From 1988 to 1990 he was a daily commentator on the Financial News Network (now CNBC). In 2006 he wrote Confessions of a Real Estate Entrepreneur (McGraw-Hill) which reached #1 in several Amazon categories.
In 2008 Jim founded Rand Media Co, which, under the imprint The Skinny On™, publishes a revolutionary line of illustrated non-fiction books.
The first book in this series, The Skinny on the Housing Crisis, was awarded First Prize in the prestigious Robert Bruss Real Estate Book competition sponsored by NAREE, a group of 600 journalists who cover business and finance. This was quickly followed by 8 more titles: The Skinny on Willpower, The Skinny on Credit Cards, The Skinny on Success, The Skinny on Real Estate Investing, The Skinny on Direct Sales (also available in Spanish as The Skinny on Venta Directa), The Skinny on Time Management, The Skinny on the Art of Persuasion, and the newest in the series, The Skinny on Networking.
Jim lives and works in Westport, Connecticut with his wife Carol. They have four grown children and two grandchildren.
For more information about the Skinny on series, go to: www.TheSkinnyOn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 14, 2013
This is another in a series of simple, but not simplistic, books that teach a "large" subject very painlessly. This one is all about networking.
Billy is a high school history teacher. He would like to be a college music teacher, but such vacancies are few and far between. Randel, the narrator, tells Billy to start by asking his network, like friends and family, if they can help. Maybe someone knows someone who knows someone. He shouldn't assume that they already know about his desire to be a college music teacher; he has to tell them, specifically. If he sends an email, he should be very careful about who gets it. Don't just send it to everyone on your e-mail list.
If that doesn't fulfill the request, expand your horizons. For instance, dust off your college yearbook, and start looking up old classmates. Cold calling is never fun, but it is an essential part of networking. The book talks about connectors, those who seem to know people in many different "groups." If you come in contact with such a person, becoming acquaintances or friends with them is a very good idea. Think of social capital as a form of karma; you can never have too much of it. Try very hard to do things for other people (increasing your social capital supply) before you ask for things from other people (reducing your social capital supply).
Billy's wife, Beth, is a lawyer who would like to be partner. She knows that it involves bringing in more clients, but she is uncomfortable asking total strangers for their business. Randel suggests that she join business and professional groups that will put her in the company of people who may need her services in the future. Networking is not supposed to be quick or easy, so don't get discouraged if "it" doesn't happen very quickly.
This is another excellent book that is made for busy people. The idea is to distill the major points from many books on a subject, like networking, into an easy to read format that still has a lot to say. Along with the rest of the series, this is very highly recommended.
Billy is a high school history teacher. He would like to be a college music teacher, but such vacancies are few and far between. Randel, the narrator, tells Billy to start by asking his network, like friends and family, if they can help. Maybe someone knows someone who knows someone. He shouldn't assume that they already know about his desire to be a college music teacher; he has to tell them, specifically. If he sends an email, he should be very careful about who gets it. Don't just send it to everyone on your e-mail list.
If that doesn't fulfill the request, expand your horizons. For instance, dust off your college yearbook, and start looking up old classmates. Cold calling is never fun, but it is an essential part of networking. The book talks about connectors, those who seem to know people in many different "groups." If you come in contact with such a person, becoming acquaintances or friends with them is a very good idea. Think of social capital as a form of karma; you can never have too much of it. Try very hard to do things for other people (increasing your social capital supply) before you ask for things from other people (reducing your social capital supply).
Billy's wife, Beth, is a lawyer who would like to be partner. She knows that it involves bringing in more clients, but she is uncomfortable asking total strangers for their business. Randel suggests that she join business and professional groups that will put her in the company of people who may need her services in the future. Networking is not supposed to be quick or easy, so don't get discouraged if "it" doesn't happen very quickly.
This is another excellent book that is made for busy people. The idea is to distill the major points from many books on a subject, like networking, into an easy to read format that still has a lot to say. Along with the rest of the series, this is very highly recommended.
November 7, 2010
We live in an age of networking in the internet age. If you belong to Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Linkedin and others, you’re networking! If you‘re objective is to be consciously networking and making the most of it “The Skinny On Networking” will help you to make the most of that experience.
The Skinny On series is great for picking up quick and accurate information on a variety of subjects. Every Skinny On book can be read in approximately an hour or so and be implementing the information and advice in 61 minutes. Each book is chock full of current information and citations on the subject being discussed, uses the same effective tools as the other books. The stick figures of Beth and Billy who illustrate the subject of the book and present that material in a humorous way, quotes from source material, real life examples of people who have benefited using the techniques discussed, and a bibliography for those who want to get more in depth information on the subject, and after you’ve read it it’s a handy reference guide to keep for a quick refresher on the subject as needed.
“The Skinny On Networking” quickly illustrates the problem the Beth and Billy characters face and with the help of author Jim Randel (in stick figure form) is the guide for Beth and Billy that shows them the method and techniques that are available to utilize networking to the best effect and result. The techniques aren’t complicated, something as easy as asking those closest to you to introduce you to someone is a simple but effective method that can be incorporated into your life.
I’ve never been one to like self-help books but I’ve found The Skinny On series to be informative, and entertaining, and in “The Skinny On Networking” I’ve picked up some helpful information that I’ll be using in my life in the future.
The Skinny On series is great for picking up quick and accurate information on a variety of subjects. Every Skinny On book can be read in approximately an hour or so and be implementing the information and advice in 61 minutes. Each book is chock full of current information and citations on the subject being discussed, uses the same effective tools as the other books. The stick figures of Beth and Billy who illustrate the subject of the book and present that material in a humorous way, quotes from source material, real life examples of people who have benefited using the techniques discussed, and a bibliography for those who want to get more in depth information on the subject, and after you’ve read it it’s a handy reference guide to keep for a quick refresher on the subject as needed.
“The Skinny On Networking” quickly illustrates the problem the Beth and Billy characters face and with the help of author Jim Randel (in stick figure form) is the guide for Beth and Billy that shows them the method and techniques that are available to utilize networking to the best effect and result. The techniques aren’t complicated, something as easy as asking those closest to you to introduce you to someone is a simple but effective method that can be incorporated into your life.
I’ve never been one to like self-help books but I’ve found The Skinny On series to be informative, and entertaining, and in “The Skinny On Networking” I’ve picked up some helpful information that I’ll be using in my life in the future.
July 2, 2012
Reading this book helped me realize that I already am a net worker. Although not a very consistent or focused one. Really got me thinking and making task lists of what to do to enhance my social capital and contribute to those in my sphere. Great book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews