Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time Kindle Edition

Oh my, I've only read four chapters so far but I can't take it anymore. It goes like this: I became CMO, but the company wasn't ready for my amazing plans yet, so I quit. I like to go for a jog to think, so after 10 miles I still didn't know what to do. So I meditated for 10 days, and i still didn't know. Then I realized, i should be the CEO of a marketing firm.This book is so full of bragging and at the same time there is zero useful applicable information in it. The only people who might like this is someone that loves to brag and wants to be like Ferrazzi or one that never even heard the term networking.

Ferrazzi is no doubt an expert in his field but, my goodness, does he like to brag about himself. There are good messages in this book, but you have to dig through painfully long passages of self-fellatio in order to get to the actual points. The authors boastful tone is extremely off putting and his anecdotes reek of egomania.

I appreciated the bottom line of the book. However I feel like there were moments where the details contradicted the bottom line. For example the book stressed the power of relationship and authenticity in not just pursuing them to get something out of it, but then the examples and the points focused on "look what I got out of this relationship" or "endear yourself to others so you can get what you want."I also feel like this book has the same problem many of these types of books have, in that they do not acknowledge that the same tactics will not be as effective or inspiring for all people. In a vacuum, these tips are great advice. But in reality, the types of assertive and direct behavioral examples the author shares here can be a very white, male, educated, way to move through experiences, where people may be more willing to see that behavior through a different lens than they would if a woman or person of color did the same. So I think these types of books could really be improved by spending some time expanding their analysis of effectiveness of their behavioral frameworks in the context of privilege and identity.

Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Alone tackles one of the most important aspects of getting ahead in the professional world today: networking. Ferrazzi’s approach, however, takes a different turn than most networking books. His emphasis on creating connections, as opposed to blindly networking just because its considered important, is informative and distinctive.Ferrazzi begins by laying out his experience with networking in the first section – but he doesn’t call it “networking.” Instead, Ferrazzi calls it “connecting.” He writes that “like business itself, being a connector is not about managing transactions, but about managing relationships.” He stresses that while some gather names and phone numbers just to add contacts to their list, the most beneficial way to connect is to share knowledge, resources, time, energy, friends, associates, empathy and compassion. By doing this, value is provided for these connections – and perhaps most importantly, your value is increased in their eyes as well.This first section is a smooth and engaging introduction to the book. Ferrazzi’s conversational tone makes his suggestions easy to follow and understand. He writes often about his personal experiences with networking, which strengthens his argument of the importance of connecting. Without connections, he would not have made it to where he is now. His impressive education came out of the relationships he and his father developed with connections, which definitely drives home his argument.Ferrazzi lays out how to actually make these connections in the second section. He writes that the first step to connecting with someone is to do your research. He suggests Googling them, reading their work history on LinkedIn, checking out their Twitter, and reading information about their company or work. The next step is getting their contact information. Ferrazzi suggests starting with those already in your network: relatives, current colleagues, customers and clients, neighbors, past connections from school, former teachers, etc. Ferrazzi writes, “the real challenge isn’t tracking anymore… Our challenge these days is to figure out, in the mass of contacts we’ve collected, which ones matter” (76). His approach to building a network is to reach out to those you already have relationships with, and to build on them.This section is helpful, but nothing stood out as exceptionally different from other networking books. Networking is meeting people through other connections and cultivating relationships – Ferrazzi just stresses its importance in this section.In the third section, Ferrazzi discusses building on these connections. He breaks down three motivations that he tends to find in people: making money, finding love, or changing the world. He says that “the only way to get people to do anything is to recognize their importance and thereby make them feel important” (175). He also emphasizes building connections in different areas, and being able to “parcel out as much information, contacts, and goodwill to as many people – in as many different worlds – as possible” (188). He highlights the importance of meeting people and connecting, but building on these connections and stretching them to all aspects of business and life.This section is informative, but Ferrazzi’s reasoning seems manipulative. The purpose of networking is to gain value from those we connect with, but Ferrazzi seems to imply that the only reason to help others is because of the future benefit you may receive from them. For Ferrazzi, connecting with others is ultimately for your gain. His approach seems to disregard the fact that you might receive something other than just professional gain from helping someone.The fourth section focuses on “Connecting in the Digital Age.” Ferrazzi tackles the wealth of knowledge and people that we have at our disposal because of technology. He writes that even though you can be bombarded with information on your social network, you can make use of the content by curating and structuring it to what you want to see, and what will help you. He also says that in sharing your content, you have to give people “something useful.” “Give them an article, a film trailer, a restaurant review. Something that allows for more communication than 140 characters, introduces them to something new, and gives them an action” (242-243).This section is beneficial in laying out all the ways for you to make use of the technology at your fingertips. Instead of getting overwhelmed at the content on social networking sites, you can make use of it. Now, more than ever, taking advantage of technology is important in the professional world, and this portion of the book provides tools to help you do that.The final section mostly provides techniques for strengthening your connection circle but also marketing yourself. As Ferrazzi wrote earlier in the book, “each of us is now a brand” (22). According to him, you have to be an expert with a unique point of view – you have to be interesting. Image and identity are just the start of your personal brand. With a network, your brand “establishes your worth” and “takes your mission and content and broadcasts it to the world” (291).This chapter on personal branding – Chapter 26, “Build Your Brand” – was probably the most useful and informative out of the book. Ferrazzi discusses developing a personal branding message, “packaging” the brand (which involves appearance and style, and asking yourself how you wish to be seen), and broadcasting your brand. According to Ferrazzi, “the world is your stage… Look the part; live the part” (297).Overall, Never Eat Alone is an informative networking book. Its main idea is innovative – connecting and sharing as opposed to just collecting important names in your network – compared to the majority of other networking books. Ferrazzi, in his conversational tone, makes the 376 pages go fast. The only downside to Ferrazzi’s approach is his push to do all of this – connect, share, network – just because in the end, it helps you advance the most. His method comes across as slightly egotistical, but it still provides you with helpful tips to connecting and branding yourself.

As a 20 yr professional and manager I wasn't sure of how relevant this book would be. Frankly I found it to be excellent! I have ranked it as 5 stars, something I rarely do.Ferrazzi covers a range of topics which are as relevant for those veterans in the workforce as those starting out. One item I found especially refreshing was the approach to networking. A buzzword these days, I see millenials and others "lunching" constantly and asking to join my LinkedIn or Facebook and then never hear from them again. Ferrazzi does an excellent job explaining that networking has to be about adding value to the other party and maintaining that relationship over time. Yes, we all leverage our networks to get things done. The point is to ensure it is a two way street.I also found his discussion of how to get value from conferences extremely interesting. I had learned many of the lessons the hard way over the year but I had never heard them so well articulated- come prepared, understand your objectives, who do you want to meet, what are your intersect points, volunteer to help organize, understand the schedule and layout and finally, and most important, follow up.This book is an excellent read and a marked up copy now sits on my core reference shelf. Whether you are starting out or a veteran, this is worth a read.

Written for people who cannot seem to manage their own life. If that is you buy the book. This was recommended to me for starting a consulting business. I should sue the company that recommended it

A really good book in a good condition

So, you need to stand at a strategic position, e.g., near the gate from where the VIPs will pass and use some trick to be able to talk to them! Also with so much of smooching, wining and dining recommended, what happens to your health?

You may get some useful inspiration and strategies from this book, but it has a number of problems.First, Ferrazzi claims a high level of general applicability, but underlines this mainly through personal experience and through anecdotes from his world. There are some stories of famous persons, but otherwise there is not a lot of external evidence, alternative perspective, or even a references section.Second, some suggestions are certainly written with the best intentions, but have become ineffective today. I can't count the number of "Ferrazzi-style" emails and follow-up attempts I am getting every day. You bet that they are the first thing I am deleting and you bet that the "gatekeepers" (his term in the book) in my previous company were also not very happy about them.So before you try the suggestions, do the categorical imperative test ('what if everyone would do this?') and continue if you are happy with the test result. You will find that a good share will fail the test.

The book I filled with a range of practical ideas and practices you can implement to start improving your connections. Some I didn't quite relate to, but most of it I do. My only criticism is that I felt that some of the chapters could've been made shorter as I occasionally felt that the long explanations could've been more succint. Other than that, a pretty useful book. Happy about my purchase.

I appreciate Ferrazzi's bold gusto in repositioning the dreaded networking task. 4 stars because I cringe at executing some of his suggestions, or would feel fake doing because I'm dreading it. It takes a certain kind of extrovert to do some of the things he suggested, which Ferrazzi is a natural himself. A question I had that wasn't quite addressed (or perhaps, I missed it) is how does one maintain these relationships, even if it doesn't feel natural? Nonetheless, his Relationship Action Plan is a good guideline to follow, as I firmly believe in seeking advice from those who've "done it" for insider tips.