Work the Pond!: Use the Power of Positive Networking to Leap Forward in Work and Life

by Judy Thomson, Darcy Rezac, Gayle Hallgren, et al.

Book Overview

Networking requires you to "kiss a lot of frogs" (i.e., meet a lot of people) to find your "princes"-those precious few who can make a difference in your life. But the real secret to networking is discovering what you can do for someone else. Networking guru Darcy Rezac helps redefine networking-his "what can I do for you?" approach has helped thousands overcome their fear of networking and find more success. Rezac uses his trademarked 7-step N.E.T.W.O.R.K...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0735204020
• ISBN13: 9780735204027
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Press
• Length: 203 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Are you a networker?

It doesn't matter how you answered the title question in this review;whether you're a veteran of the networking wars, or a rookie, you need this book. The author presents the often misunderstood art of networking in a positive, straightforward fashion that enables networkers at all levels to improve and excel at this vital contact sport! At the very least, this is an opportunity to add some spice to your professional and personal quality of life!

Practical and positive

I find WORK THE POND! very useful. Since networking consists of your relationships with people, by definition, networks are always on, as the authors say: You're always networking in some form or other - in hibernation, poorly, or well. This book provides practical, positive actions that anyone can adopt, from business card etiquette to joining a conversation amid a room full of strangers. At the same time, the authors present thought-provoking principles which pique rather than insult your intelligence. "Discovering what you can do for someone else" is a principle which can be applied to networking opportunities anywhere. Having worked in Asia, Europe and the US, I believe these principles and practices can generate positive effects in any culture. This book can help you improve your enjoyment and effectiveness in networking whether you are an outgoing jet-setting corporate chief or the opposite. The authors use an abundance of real-life anecdotes and real-people examples, quotes, nuggets, and summaries to bring across the message across in a lively, positive, concrete, useful and efficient way.

One of the best "take-action" networking books you will find

Back in 2003, I attended a pivotal event at the Vancouver Enterprise Forum. Normally, these events generally follow a predictable pattern. People fill in the room, buy a drink and wander aimlessly. The venture capitalists avoid the nervous entrepreneurs with the bad pitches and the keen students stand nervously in the corner, not sure who to talk to. Old friends meet up and chat and newcomers do their best to try to look as comfortable as the old-timers. But that evening was different. Darcy Rezac, Managing Director of the Vancouver Board of Trade, got on stage with a microphone, introduced himself, gave the group some ground rules and "permission to network". Some of his rules included: * it's about them, not you - find out what you can do for the other person; * put your name tag on your upper right chest so that when you shake hands, the other person can see your name tag; * invite others into your group and make the introductions so that people feel comfortable; * look the other people in the eye - focus on them, and not on the venture capitalist walking by that you REALLY wanted to talk to; * keep your cards handy in one pocket and use another pocket to store the cards you receive; * when you offer a card, make sure you get the other person's card * try to get 7 cards minimum per event that you attend * give yourself permission to go out and meet people so that you can see how you can help them. The energy that this talk unleashed was enormous. People laughed and chatted and exchanged cards. In fact, it was hard to shepherd them out of the room to the upstairs theater for the actual talk! This evening was a turning point in my own understanding of networking and I will always remember it. I bought Darcy's first book "The Frog and the Prince" that night from Gayle and read it that night. I'm thrilled that Darcy Rezac, Judy Thomson, and Gayle Hallgren-Rezac are at it again and are releasing this book in the United States in paperback format so that lots of people will be able to afford it. No matter what you do - business, government, or non-profit work - if you need to work with people and build out your eco-system of "weak links", you need to read this book. I highly recommend it. Congratulations Darcy, Judy, and Gayle!

Networking Made Meaningful

This book has a refreshing approach to networking - and, as the title suggests, it's a positive one. The authors invite you to rethink your approach to networking by starting with the premise that networking is about discovering what you can do for others. Thus, this book will appeal to those who may have previously neglected their networking skills because they thought of the practice as self-serving. The book's message is delivered with clarity and its points are illustrated with pertinent anecdotes to make the theory come alive. There are practical tips that anyone can follow, and nuggets of information distilled from the most up-to-date research. The writing is direct and concise, and summaries are provided at the end of each chapter.

Linda Ingalls, RN, Life Coach, Author -"Where Do You Draw The Line? - an insider's guide to effecti

I am a critical care nurse and life coach. Prior to becoming a life coach, networking was an unwanted and not practiced tool. WhenI read "Working The Pond" I realized how positive networking is not only a business skill, it is also a "life skill", a skill one can never know or practice too much. The attitude and energy of "What can I do for you" is life affirming for both the giver and receiver. This book has helped me to take my skills as a nurse-healer, and life coach into all facets of my life whether I am with a patient, client, at a party, meeting or on a bus. Thanks to Darcy, Gayle and Judy for such great information provided in such an entertaining form.