Friend of a Friend . . .
Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
What if all the advice we’ve heard about networking is wrong?
What if the best way to grow your network isn’t by introducing yourself to strangers at cocktail parties, handing out business cards, or signing up for the latest online tool, but by developing a better understanding of the existing network that’s already around you?
We know that it’s essential to reach out and build a network. But did you know that it’s actually your distant or former contacts who will be the most helpful to you? Or that many of our best efforts at meeting new people simply serve up the same old opportunities we already have?
In this startling new look at the art and science of networking, business school professor David Burkus digs deep to find the unexpected secrets that reveal the best ways to grow your career.
Based on entertaining case studies and scientific research, this practical and revelatory guide shares what the best networkers really do. Forget the outdated advice you’ve already heard. Learn how to make use of the hidden networks you already have.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
For those who find even the word networking cringe-worthy, business school professor Burkus (Under New Management) has an appealing take on how to build connections without feeling insincere or sleazy. He finds most conventional wisdom on the subject stale and outdated. Setting out to correct the misconceptions, Burkus observes that making connections is critical to career advancement and that a strong network means the advantage of access to social capital. Rather than offering a plethora of advice, this book provides insights about how networks actually function, such as the following: weak ties can be more valuable than strong ones; the ability to easily navigate a network is more important than how big it is; straddling the gap between several industries is more effective than knowing every person in a single one; organizational silos are valuable up to a point; and no one benefits from getting too comfortable on a single team. Buoyed by practical advice and prompts for further thought, this is an excellent guide to career advancement for anyone who breaks out in hives at the mere presentation of a business card.