This is a first in a series of reviews of books that I have read recently and think you might enjoy over the Summer.
Last week I ran a full day workshop about using Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook in your business and we had over 100 people attend. At the end of the session I hosted a break out group specifically about using these tools to help the delegates in their job search and one of the key themes I covered was the importance of integrating your networking plan across online and offline groups and associations.
Many of us spend our time in the ‘real world’ not the ‘digital world’ and it is therefore important to make connections between our online networking and offline networking be that for professional success or job search.
That is the principle behind the new book by Heather Townsend called “Business Networking – how to use the power of online and offline networking for business success” published by Financial Times Prentice Hall (an imprint of Pearson).
“Business Networking” covers:
- the importance of networking
- tips for networking online using Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and blogging
- essential networking skills including how to make the right first impression and how to work a room
- tips for developing your networking plan.
If you are someone who likes practical actions steps you can take, then this is a great book for you – Heather summarises each chapter and provides a check list of action points you can take.
In todays global economy it’s good to see a few pages in “Business Networking” dedicated to networking across cultures – though I would recommend that if you are starting to work in different countries to invest in some books to learn more about that specific culture and business etiquette that applies to that market. If you are in the UK, you might want to check out the cultural awareness and global mobility programmes organised by Farnham Castle (we did this when first leaving Europe to live and work in Asia).
Heather share her approach in “Business Networking” to what she calls her FITTER networking plan which stands for:
- Follow up
- Introduce yourself with impact
- Target specific people
- Turn social conversations into business chat
- Engage
- Research.
I think you will especially get value out of the last part of the book about creating your business networking plan which covers:
- setting your networking goals
- identifying who you need in your network
- analysing the state of your network
- analysing the state of your relationships
- deciding where to network
- measuring your effectiveness
- and writing your networking plan.
Yes there are a lot of books about building your business through networking and I have written featured them over the years and interviewed authors of networking books such as in the podcast with author Ivan Misner, and the online radio interview I did with Liz Lynch author of “Smart Networking how to attract a following in person and online” back in 2008.
That said, if you are looking for an up to the minute book to help you integrate networking into your business development plan and appreciate practical tips, then I recommend you take a look at “Business Networking” by Heather Townsend.
As an aside, the book has just twenty one pages dedicated to online networking using LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and blogging so if you are looking for specific guidance and ‘how to action plans’ about online networking you would need to supplement your learning through workshops or further reading.
What business networking books have you read recently that you recommend?
Book review: Business Networking – how to use the power of networking for business success by Heather Townsend is an article from: Krishna De – please do share the article with your network if you found it of value. And subscribe to our new showto access the FREE visual content marketing training where we cover the latest trends, technologies and tools to boost your marketing success.
The post Book review: Business Networking – how to use the power of networking for business success by Heather Townsend appeared first on Krishna De: Content Marketing, Social Media And Social Business Strategy, Education And Mentoring.
