Largely autobiographical in nature, Keith Ferrazzi explains how business networking made him the success he is today.

Ferrazzi has built his career on the successful management of his Rolodex, and presents a "warts and all" picture of his techniques. Especially helpful are the anecdotes showing how certain networking techniques he experimented with were dismal failures, and how he learned and adjusted.

The standard business networking tips found in many business self-help books are explained in the first third of the book, what I particularly enjoyed were some of the more intermediate tips in the latter half of the book. For instance, what to do with your list of contacts and how to successfully manange it once you have accumulated a wealth of business relations and are well on your way up the career ladder.

This book won't appeal to everyone, it tries to do too many things. Taken with a grain of a salt, it is nonetheless an enjoyable and easy business read.

A very entertaining book, a really enjoyable read, and a good idea book about networking.
Not all of us have a job the type Keith Ferrazzi does, but we can all shape our job a little more to enjoy it and make progress on it.
Thats way this book is also very useful -i would say - for everyone.
The only reason i rated this book 4-star and not 5-star is because a) i seldom rate a book 5-star, unless it has an all-time classic quality and b) this does not cover all the aspects of networking (which does not claim to do anyway).
Good job Keith.
For all readers interested in the topic - this book is well worth your money.

I heard this guy at a conference, and of course our conference hosts presented us with the book as a gift in our rooms the night before. I walked out on the "speech," and thought maybe the book would be better. Alas, it wasn't. This is the most self-aggrandizing book of this genre I have ever read. One wonders how many times that "I" appears in the book. "I did this, I did that, I'm great...." You name it. His methods smack of insincerity and merely using people for his own advantage. It disgusts me. Much better material out there; don't waste your money on this one. Unless you like to use people.

This is an amazing book that has done many things for me with the two most important: given me lots of ideas about marketing my business and validating personal ideas and business practices that I had.

I also very much enjoyed reading this book: it's full of examples of people that I have hear of and can identify with, it's well written with few "repeats" and best of all, it almost reads like a novel: you want to keep on reading!

I originally got this book from the library: I am buying it for my own collection as I'll want to refer to it over and over again.

Nutshell review - An average book about building business relationships. Nothing particularly new or unique that cannot be found in any number of other common sense business books. If you haven't read any others than this is an ok place to start.

Ferrazzi has some good ideas in this book regarding networking, meeting people and using relationships as a way to achieve success and contentment in this life. While a few examples from the lives of great networkers appear throughout the book, he mainly focuses on himself - which is both good and bad. The good is that he has tried many methods of trying to meet people and staying in touch with them once you do. The result is insightful advice and suggestions. The bad is that you get a sense that this guy likes to talk about himself and his accomplishments, which gets annoying over the course of the book. Not all of his ideas are practical for most people either, like hosting dinner parties once a month and having them catered. But all in all, this is a worthwhile book and goes further in creativity than most networking books. Like the author, I too believe that much of life comes down to who you know and the give and take in relationships and was glad to gleam some wisdom from someone who has literally tried it all within the world of real networking.

This is one of the few books I've read that actually contains advice and tips that I use every day. I once heard "Never Eat Alone" referred to as "How To Win Friends And Influence People", but updated for the 21st century. I'd say that's pretty accurate. Here are some of the things I liked about it.

*Keith Focuses on the mindset behind building relationships before he gets into the how-to. Namely, that you should focus your relationship building on helping other people succeed, instead of seeing them as stepping stones in your own success. AFTER you've helped other people get what they want, they'll be more open to helping you.

*He explains who the "Connectors" are, and the immense value that they can have to you in building your social network.

*He gives examples of things you can do to get close to powerful figures and how you can leverage their knowlede, expertise and contacts to help support you in your cause, while you support them in theirs.

Like some of the other reviewers, I found the constant references to Ferazzi-Greenlight a little annoying, but you know what? For the immense practical value and usability of the information Keith Ferazzi shares in this book (if you actually apply it), I think a little..okay, a LOT of self-promotion is overlook-able, lol.

The point is to bring people together, as described in the book Never Eat Alone.

Keith Ferrazzi describes his secrets of success, building it one relationship at a time. While some build their careers through Networking, Keith Ferrazzi has built his career AS a Networker. He is known as the guy who knows everyone, able to pool the right resources with the right people.

How did he achieve this?

Years ago, a bit younger and a lot less successful, Keith came to his boss and said, "I want to make it to the top. I want to be a great leader. I have what it takes. How do I make it happen?"

Keith's boss asked him to describe why he thought he had what it takes. So, Keith described all of his accomplishments. His boss listened, then gave the response that changed Keith's life.

"You've described to me all the things YOU have done. That makes you a great worker. But if you want to be a great leader, you need to build teams. You need to bring people together."

Keith took the advice to heart in what may be a controversial act, blurring the lines between friendships and business relationships. Everyone became a potential asset to gain from, offer to, or bridge a connection between.

Some of his ideas seem counter-intuitive, such as Pinging, a process that builds relationships one small email or phone call at a time instead of one long meeting at a time, or Managing the Gatekeeper, where he insists a secretary may be the most important person you meet.

His style, like the chapters in this book, is short and to the point, but all the more effective because of it. Thanks in part to his coauthor, Fortune Small Business editor Raz, Ferrazzi's book becomes an example of Networking in action, a well-written, anecdotal account of a style anyone can employ.

More than anything else, this book is a biography of the author. I estimate that about 70% of the material is stories of his life. After that, this book serves as sales material for the author's consulting business. Third it is a self congradulation. Fourth it is about high-brow, high-end networking. It is not a how to book on getting people to like you so you will never have to eat alone. The title, while clever, has very little to do with the content and is never mentioned. There are some good tips on networking, but most tend to be advanced and assume you have a wonderful network. I'm sure those networking tips are useful to some people, but I bet the vast majority of people who get this book will never use any. There is very very little specific tips on the act of talking with people. Some of the author's assertions are clearly false and I felt like much of what he wrote about he has little experience in doing--he just put it down as a good networking idea and pulled together enough material to flesh it out. There is some good information here, but it could have been condinced into about 20 pages. Most people who start this book will quit with exhaustion. I only finished because I listened to the audio book.

This book presents an insightful guide on how relationships can craft one's life and career. But importantly, it starts with identifying our true goals and passions and extends to cultivating a personal brand for ourselves.

Keith not only tells his story in a direct and easy-to-read style, but shares the specific techniques he has learned and are so much a part of the way he operates. This stems from the fundamental idea that human connectivity is not only unavoidable, but essential in finding self-actualization.

It's easy to cast off a book such as this as superficial. In fact, the title made me shy away until I had the chance to see Keith present a seminar early this year. He does drop names, and he does risk sounding like compete ego-maniac, but seeing him in person was powerful because he truly checked his vanity at the door. Readers should do the same if they want to get the most value out of this book, both in theory and later in practice.

Wow!! This guy grew up, close to where I live. He understood and perfected the proper methods for 'networking'. He succeeded and I'm still where I am now. I began applying his traits and am seeing results. I only wish I'd learned this 20 years ago.
Excellent teaching!

I think deeper relationship lies in trust. Trust could not be gained by simplying knowing how to connect, it is more based on track record, time together and integrity.

Want to know what Keith sees when he looks in the mirror? Read this book, you'll know all you care to know. Looking for hints on how to achieve "balance" between family, friends, work and recreation while keeping then distinguishable as separate activities? - then don't even think about replicating every aspect of this book - Keith doesn't believe in balance, but, rather, a blurred distinction between genres of human relationships.

The recipe for networking, as laid out in this book, is probably not a good fit for many people, but there are individual elements that are of incredible value to almost everyone. Ever wonder how to best make use of your time at those endless technical confernces and tradeshows? This book has great recipes! The sections on developing and expanding social and professional relationships is invaluable.

While most of us are likely not as ambitious as Mr. Ferrazi, or anywhere near as self promoting, today's business trend towards less human contact and personal realtionships give cause for all of us to read and ponder the underlying message of this book.

This book is a good companion to The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ and Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships.

I do not buy many books. I only buy the ones that I am interested in keeping. If I only want to read a book, I simply borrow it from the library.

After reading a few reviews of "Never Eat Alone" I went to my local bookstore to have a closer look at it. Although I definitely liked the look of the book, my first reaction was "No, too expensive". And it is expensive! But then I sat down to read some passages. The more I read, the more interested I was becoming... You know the outcome - I finally DID buy it. I don't think I need to say anything else...

The other books that I have recently bought:

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini

Goodness, this book was full of name dropping and seriously shameless self promotion. I did not finish it.

This book will change the way that you conduct your business if you allow the basic message to sink in. We all want to make money but the key to making real money is simply to help other people expand their own worlds.

Connecting to others takes effort especially when we have "real" business to do but it is through connecting and simply reaching out that opportunities are created. Most significant deals/opportunities do not happen at the office but are created on the golf course, bowling alley or over cocktails.

This is a great book and if it is read in combination with The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris and the E-Myth by Michael Gerber and throw in Fountainhead by Ayn Rand your Business Revolution will be ignited!

If you can get past Ferrazzi's name dropping and self-importance, his tips are good. As a reserved, shy person, I found his ideas to be beneficial, but I found, unfortunately, his bragging and name-dropping detracted from the book. Those who can filter out the noise created by his arrogance will find his ideas helpful.

The book starts off great by cogently convicing the reader that business is primarily about relationships. It is teamwork, not individualistic achievements, which creates and enables great things. Here is an exerpt from the first chapter:

"I came to realize that first semester at business school that Harvard's hypercompetitive, individualistic students had it all wrong. Success in any field, but especially in business, is about working with people, not against them. No tabulation of dollars and cents can account for one immutable fact: Business is a human enterprise, driven and determined by people."


OK great start.

The author, unfortunately, never stops talking about himself, his personal achievements, and his company. I would say approximately 25%-30% of the book is dedicated to the author, his life, and his company. At the end of the book, a reader could put together his resume. This would make some sense if the author was a well known public figure. But he isn't.

The author provides some good examples and knowhow on how to focus on the most important thing in business. His methods of networking and connecting with people seems to be have some validity. I think the author's emphasis on relationships and its importance, which is often neglected in business education, is probably enough to justify paying and reading this book. Too bad it could have been far better than an unwanted autobiography in disguise.

one of my friends is addicted to career self help books. i sneaked this one off her shelf last week. ferrazzi's thesis is that the key to career success is to never miss an opportunity to network, not much different from other books in that category except that the author is more explicit in how to go about it. *****five stars for spelling it out HOW to network, most books just tell you what great thing it is and then the end.

ferrazzi gives good advice on adjusting your attitudes about personal time, giving an example about how spending your birthday away from home with work 'friends' (no such thing!, ask my friend, that's why she needs so many of these books!) can be an opportunity to tighten your network and even increase it. many of his suggestions boil down to getting over you initial ick! reaction to using personal connections for business gain.
it even discusses how to be more talkative at parties.

one huge draw back is that it is aimed at people who don't have family obligations to tether them to reality. ferrazzi lives in a lala land of travel and expense accounts, from the way the book reads he isn't married or a father, so it's very easy for him to flit around meeting people and filling up address books. he has nothing better to do than to eat all his meals at restuarants with other people wh also have nothing better to do. in this way the book falls into the trap that so many other career self help books do, assuming that the intended audience has the life of leisure that the author does, assuming that the reader has the money and job that the author does. this book's advice is solid gold if you do whatever it is that ferrazzi does and have all his money. people who need to buy these books have more complicated lives than people who write them.

Keith proposes a revolutionary new way of looking at networking and relationship management in general: giving freely, and openly, and asking for the same in return. According to the book, most people are surprisingly accommodating and receptive to this approach.

If you're looking for an overnight plan to becoming a master networker, magician manipulator, or overall hypnotist in the business world this isn't the book for you. If, however, you're interested in discovering what some of the most successful men and women in America (Keith included) have done to reach where they are today, don't pass by the opportunity to find out!

This is nothing but an "I" book. Mr.Ferrazz"I" just toots his own horn. "I" this and "I" that.

This is a lengthy, but quite interesting, presentation of how immaginative some people can be at self promotion and it totally removes the embarrassment that is typically connected by the promoter to him or her self. This lets the self marketing move forward by leaps and bounds.

I've read the reviews of "Never Eat Alone" and there really isn't a common ground. Some people swear by it, others see it as a self-serving ripoff, others call it "nothing special." Who's right? Answer: You all are.

Networking is one funny animal. You network because you want something. Some people are afraid or ashamed to come right out and say that, but let's just cut to the chase. No matter how gracefully you may network, no matter how richly developed your spirit of "giving first" may be, you want something. That's why you'd even consider buying this book. That's why you're reading this review.

Any sales/marketing/networking "guru" worth giving the time of day to is aggressively self-centered and self-promoting. I don't care if it's Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jeffrey Gitomer, Frank Rumbauskas, Harvey Mackay, Joe Vitale...each and every one of these authors wants to sell you more of their product. Their books, their videos, their CDs and cassettes...what do you think they DO for a living? They try to get you off of the sofa so that you'll do the things you should already know to do without reading their books.

YES, Ferrazzi runs the constant risk, throughout this book, of injuring himself by patting himself on the back a little too hard. Would you prefer it if he acted ashamed and apologetic?

John T. Molloy wrote a book called John T. Molloy's New Dress for Success. He discusses a study in which two different groups of men were sent into a social, "cocktail party" situation. The first group was instructed to behave in a "confident" manner. The second group was instructed to behave in an "arrogant" manner. When the participants were later asked which group of men they liked the best, the "arrogant" group won.

Molloy's point? You must ride the line between "confident" and "arrogant" to achieve the best results.

Ferrazi may very well be the "Networking Jerk" he discusses on page 56. While he cautions you to "Never Give In To Hubris" on page 268, maybe he's busting at the seams with hubris.

Subjecting yourself to as many viewpoints as possible...from winners and losers, heroes and jerks...this will allow you to gain an appreciation for who YOU are, what success means to YOU, and what YOU are willing to DO for it.

Even if you walk away from this book thinking that Ferrazzi is a self-serving weasel, guess what?

The next time you're out in the business world you'll be able to spot a self-serving weasel before they take advantage of you. Can you honestly say that you see NO value in that?

And what if you find one piece of information...just one...that moves you down the chess board to greater victory, greater success. Isn't it worth a look to find out?

The chances are GOOD...no, EXCELLENT...that you will never MEET Keith Ferrszzi IN PERSON, and even if you DO, WHY won't you LEARN whatever you CAN from this man? He MIGHT NOT BE a decent human being in "real life"...then again, he MIGHT BE...but this isn't about Keith babysitting your damned KIDS, it's about his ability to shed some light on YOUR SUCCESS.

An open mind is critical to any kind of significant and lasting success. If you're torn between the Amazon reviews, go to a local bookstore and read a few chapters off the shelf. Then make up YOUR OWN mind.

Why do rich and priviledged people who have never had to work hard for anything feel a need to justify their priviledge by focusing on a past that most of us have to go through anyway? That is a major flaw with this book - the author is an egomaniac and instead of coming off as vulnerable and authentic, his life narrative is just a rationalization of who he is. Certainly, establishing relationships is fun, if you like people and have the time and resources to work on them. But if you are looking for substance, value and meaning (things you can only establish by knowing yourself first), this book may not be for you.

Like a lot of Ivy League graduates, the author is all style and little substance. (These "higher learning" institutions, after all, don't really add value or help students learn; they just don't mess them up). Still, this book is not a total waste of time and at times it is sentimental and endearing, just don't make it a priority. Save it for when you are stuck in an airport.

Basic information for shy introverts and those who are uncomfortable in social and business networking situations.

If you are willing to put yourself out there, like this guy wants you to, I can see it working quite well. I think the real secret to success is work, regardless of how you go about it. I did find lots of his tips helpful, especially the chapter on health, wealth, and children.
The one annoying thing about Keith is that he regards himself in such high esteem. In one instance he calls himself a super-connector. I think we can come to that conclusion ourselves without being told!

It's a decent book and suggested reading by my brokerage firm. It does have good tips. The only criticism I have is all the name dropping. I see this in my own profession and often wonder whether it is a necessity. To me, it seems like a sign of insecurity but I am new.

Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
This book is already a bestseller and it is worth reading. Keith Ferrazzi is a master in building relationships, not only networks, and he is able to describe how he achieved his expertise. "Never Eat Alone" is great when it comes to show the skills and strategies we need to succeed as well.

Let us browse through the book with its four sections. The first deals with "The Mind Set" and some of the key sentences are about the necessity to be connected with the right kind of people: "Poverty, I realized, wasn't only a lack of financial resources; it was isolation from the kind of people that could help you make more of yourself". Ferrazzi is fully aware of his origin and it is very convincing how he draws conclusions from lessons of his childhood in a working-class setting. The author made his way to finally become the founder and CEO of his own established marketing and sales consulting company.
So, how do we get connected? Ferrazzi points out that in fact we do need mentors to support us. But it is no one way street, on the contrary: "That's what I mean by connecting. It's a constant process of giving and receiving - of asking for and offering help." A "mission critical" part of the puzzle to build relationships is to find and specify your very own goals - what is your mission here on earth? Ferrazzi is hands-on with three steps:
First: Find your passion
Second: Putting Goals to Paper
Third: Create a Personal "Board of Advisors"
(When you check out Ferrazzis website you will come across a more detailed process, called "LifeCoach Tool 1.0": http://www.keithferrazzi.com/lifecoachtool/).
The author reminds us to build the network before we need it. And he encourages us to focus on our immediate network, like friends and family, to start with. But, most of all, he praises audacity by telling the story of his father asking for a tricycle for children from someone else's trash - he just had the guts to ask, overcoming the fear of being rejected.

Section Two describes the "Skill Set". And this part of the book is really practical: it deals with research for data and background information, with Ferrazi's "four rules for what I call warm calling", with working together with "Gatekeepers". Of course, he explains why we should NOT eat alone. A special focus is set upon attending conferences, and there is more about "the art of small talk" and "connecting with connectors". This section is an easy read but do not underestimate it; instead, use it to double check your own habits and skills.

Section Tree -"Turning Connections into Compatriots"- dives deeper. To go beyond loose connections he suggests to take a closer look at topics such as "health, wealth, and children" because they have the most impact. Another way to leverage your network is simply using your relationships to help others: "The best sort of connecting occurs when you can bring together two people from entirely different worlds. The strength of your network derives as much from the diversity of your relationships as it does from their quality or quantity". In other words - don't ask what is in for you first; instead help to make the connection, supply the solution. This might sound naïve but other authors come to similar conclusions (e.g. Tim Sanders, Love Is The Killer App).
Part of this section is also very hands-on about 24/7, 365 days a year relationship management. What I personally liked best was the suggestion to divide the network into groups and find a way to deal with each of these specifically. Ferrazzi has five categories: "Personal", Customers", "Prospects", Important Business Associates", and "Aspirational Contacts".
Another how-to part is about setting up meetings, such as dinner parties, get-togethers.

Section Four: "Trading Up and Giving Back" is the final part of the book. In this last section Ferrazzi closes the circle: have the right mind-set and focus on your mission (section one); develop your set of skills and strategies for networking (section two); be part of a strong, resilient, and generous network (section three); and now, build and "broadcast" your brand (like Tom Peters' phrase "Brand You"). This is a key for being successful as a builder of relationships. One of the role models he studies in detail is the Dalai Lama: "Follow the example of this simple Buddhist monk who channels his charm and warmth into compelling stories that energize a diverse swath of people into action. In this new era of brands, in an economy that values emotions over numbers, storytellers will have the edge".
The book has proven that Keith Ferrazzi is a master in building relationships. And he is - in his very own way - crazy about it. At the end of the book he gives a clear statement that (work/life) "balance is a myth", meaning that his concept of life knows no differentiation between "private" and "work". It is a unique approach of Ferrazzi and he succeeds in broadcasting his very own brand.

So, what can we do with the book (and with Ferrazzi's website www. http://www.keithferrazzi.com)? Let us first check our mind-set for building relationships: is it open, generous? Then we can figure out which of the hints, tips, and strategies we can apply to our own networking activities. And, finally, we should be helpful and willing to act like mentors and coaches for others.

Totally worth the time, would recommend to anyone who thinks success is something done solo.

I really believe this book is awesome.

I think Keith can be perceived as "over the top", he lives his life by the rules he sets out in this book.

My advice. It's a bright orange book, read it and dilute to taste.

I can honestly say that whenever I have come unstuck in the marketing of my board game it was because I didn't connect ahead.

There are so many simple things you can learn from this book - each one is your call to decide to follow or not.

The concept of never keeping score and helping other where you can is an awesome one and one that you really can implement.

If you know you can/will help others when asked they you have a perfect basis on which to go out and ask others to help you.

Read it, try it, dilute to taste.

I can see some people not liking this book, but like its advice or not, I can personally attest that it works.

There is a growing army of fans for this book and its advice. I've always found it a great conversation starter.

The advice presented in this book is quite simple and nothing is really new. Don't expect any advice based on the academic writing on social networks. Still I liked the style of writing and good practical examples. The key problem is naturally to implement the author's advice. He has for instance great advice on dinner parties, but the key difficulty is to get moving and doing it. In this regard, a book cannot really do much. Still, this book makes it as easy as possible.

This stuff put into practice would spread your network to thin and you wouldn't make real friends with anybody. I didn't gain anything from reading this book.

some good ideas but would expect a book like this to sell for $4.00 to $6.00. Here is the gist of the book: middle class childhood and was able to get into Yale where he met people, became friends and kept in touch with. Guess what, he was able to tap the network and help himself... wow who knew? So, if you are going to a City college you might no be meeting the "right" people. Seriously, for those with no clue about being social, this book may help them. Marketing can be learned... many of us (even experienced markeing people) at time can be a wall flower. Don't fret, just follow up and talk about things other than work.... kids, pets, sports, etc.

Your don't have to be a super-connector like Ferrazzi to be a better connector in your own life. I took away some useful perspectives that I am starting to incorporate into my own routines. For instance, this book helped me recognize the potential value that lies hidden in my own Outlook address book.

I have begun to turn the regrets I felt for not keeping in touch into actions. "Never Eat Alone" is not only a great title for this book, but also a concept that helps to remind me of the simple opportunities available on a daily basis to better connect with the people around me.

This is the best book I've read thus far on networking. I try to meet and have lunch with someone new in my organization at least once a month and touch base with existing contacts after reading this book. It is a must have, even for the shy person. This book will help open doors for you. I read and passed this book along to other co-workers and they absolutely loved it. I highly recommend!