Month: March 2011

If ANY facet of networking annoys or mystifies you – this is the book to start 2011 with! WOW!!

This book has come the closest to rivaling my all time favourite networking book after now over 50 networking books read.

Let’s dive in why:

The book starts with going beyond the “Type A Vs. Introvert” archetype and makes you do a survey to break us into four groups:

Competitive ( and can’t help it )
Outgoing ( and loving it )
Amiable ( where most people who have a job and enjoy connecting fall )
Analytical ( where senior managers, leaders, data and process people live )

It goes on to share HOW to communicate and do business with each group ( this alone made it worth the read ).

Each chapter has pointers for each group on what to watch out for, even if you’re a little of one or the other you’ll find great value in these tips!

Actual step by step process to breaking into a “circle” or “cliqued group”

Social media tips ( actual suggested text )

How to identify and get away from noxious networkers:
The pirate, know it all, chatterbox, complainer, hitchhicker, gossip and shark

A lot of material on how to combat the 12 most common networking mistakes:

1) Events over planned action
2) Not doing the research on the prospect
3) Comparing to competitors
4) Unaware of technology / trend changes in your industry
5) Not doing the research on event/host/location
6) Not being of value, have material, leave behinds
7) Being clear how you make $ / What you want
8) Have a clear unique value prop
9) Criticizing competition
10) Treating competitors as adversaries
11) Ignoring others at event ( because you are arrogant )
12) Not connecting others naturally

How to work the following events or situations (and be aware of taboos):
Conferences, Trade shows, Association meetings, elevator, party, fundraisers, golf game, professional development courses, clubs, Churches, reunions, weddings, health clubs, sports evens and concerts

The depth and detail was simply astounding.

If networking is part of your job, you’ll find huge value in this book!

Originally read Jan 2011

Short version:
Fast read that is full of information you’ll use every day.

Long version: Tell me WHY the best do this.

Tell me the ONE SECRET to being the best.

My current two questions when reading business networking books.

I read every single one I can get my hands on and most are pandering drivel. Had to put three books down in the last month!

This book however is consistently filled with the answer to these two questions.

Some of the book made me mad because it propagates the type of networking I detest. It can seem a little slimy. There’s one whole chapter on “schmoozing”. But it was worth the read 100%.

Best benefits of this book:

– The mechanics of creating a powerful first impression
– Awesome tips/system for you to use these tips easily
– Tested techniques to create trust without speaking
– What body language works/offends which personality type
– Working with the human brain to show you are not a threat
– How to get your head in the game before networking events
– How to talk/network with “visual”, “auditory” and “sensory” people
– How to make your ten second intro really hook someone (I LOVED this)
– How to get clients talking/connecting with you ( I really NEEDED this )
– Some really useful presentation tips to connect with an audience

Boothman makes a promise on the cover “Make Instant Connections That Pay Off in Business and in Life”.

Promise made. Promise kept.

Arrogant business people please disregard this review.

I have talked to about 25 people while reading this book and many say the same thing….”I knew that”, “nothing new”, “I do that already”.

Here’s the thing. Even if they are right what they don’t know is exactly WHY they do it ( they do it because some coach told them to ), what the result is and how to mix and match many different techniques to get the results they want.

The power of this book is the WHY.

– Why certain hand gestures give or take power ( or make us look crazy )
– Why certain facial expressions can help build or take away trust
– Why what we’re saying has less to do with closing business than what we’re doing!

Quick but valuable read, well organized book.

Helped me to take what I needed but still understand the context of how to use it. If you read my last review on NLP books you’ll see that I was disappointed at the lack of secrets to mind control. This book HAS the secrets of mind control so hey…..that’s pretty cool too.

Going to take a while to integrate into my daily communications and speaking style but certainly worth the time invested. Thank you Mark!

This video is a nice clip of his, I highly value his work. Even if The Toronto Star recently highlighted how he helped our Prime Minister as a consultant to win the last election. No doubt his methods work!!

I don’t usually put two books together but these books are both linked….

Recommended to me by consultants who highly value thoughtful strategy and clear communication.

Every once in a while I get through a book and it takes me twice as long, I take twice as many notes and when I’m done I think “oh crap, I have to own this book”. The reason is that the ideas are so solid they are worth reviewing every quarter and learning over time.

THIS is one of those books.

For those who hate powerpoint, even more important for those ( like me ) who LOVE it. Not only will you get your point across better and more effectively you’ll be understood more.

This isn’t just about clear communication, it’s about augmenting your thought process through visual thinking.

The simplicity of this book ( no drawing skills required ) is one of the most powerful aspects of the value.

If your goal is to master the whiteboard, to influence better, to do more, sell more and have more impact.

Get this book.

I am forever grateful to Lise Hanson and Gordon Brew for this and other book suggestions.

The second book is the perfect companion to Dan Roam’s book.

This book is the “how to” of visual meetings although I really did expect mostly white boards and sticky notes – there was much more!

The book gave me some brilliant ideas on making meetings more “tactile” getting people up and moving and thinking. I liked the mental aspect of what draws us to participate ( because this keeps me up at night before presentations ).

One idea from the book ( making people vote physically with their bodies instead of asking for a show of hands ) was just what I needed for an upcoming presentation.

Lots of great ideas, good pointers on how to start practicing the drawing and habit of visual meetings.

For a visual book, it was a little wordy which is why it’s not a MUST read but if you do a lot of presentations and want to connect better check it out.

Originally Read October 2010

I can’t say the word I exclaimed after reading the first chapter. It was a curse word.

I was also angry because – I like to strive! What’s wrong with fighting for change and progress you lazy hippie?

I’ve always rationalized away my ambitious nature and sacrifice of “being present” for achievement in the service of others. I don’t earn a lot of money, I work in non-profit how can I have sold my soul?

His description of “toxic success syndrome” reads like my bio. I’m not all the way there but I’m well on my way.

He has interviewed 100 “winners” by every definition and then got comments from spouses, coworkers, children and other people in their life that see the reality of their tragedy.

A truly helpful set of warning signs to set in place with spouses, children and coworkers to tell when you’re veering into this deadly territory. Helped me to have some great discussions with my family and some good annual introspection.

Amazing part of the book outlines the original biological causes, effects and previous benefits of human stress. Then he goes through the same effects and what they do to us in our current reality in the office.

Also staggering and terrifying at the same time is how bang-on the author is on the internet and technology like smartphones – IN 2002!!!!

Ways to look at one’s destructive habits and the results from a new perspective – I would recommend this book to anyone looking to do a little self reflection: When they keep getting what they want and it doesn’t solve all their problems and only creates more – read this book.

Thoroughly powerful stuff, one of the best books I’ve read all year.

This is a book for those who like to understand the “reasons behind influence”.

Not to be trite but it’s a fascinating book.

Bible-thumpers beware, please try to see past overuse of the words “lust”, “vice” and the other deadly sins.

The author is doing nothing more than connecting our lizard brains to the current reasonable thought process.

This is a book that is going to help you do what you do better.

Sorry to be crass but …..It’s going to make you money.

Great example, I’ve read before that people can “hear your smile” on the phone.

I just have never read about the science behind it. Very useful for interpersonal communication.

See the author’s online fascination test to find your strength-based fascination factors!

A nice bonus, it’s a 2010 release so it actually integrates our social media add society into the mix.

Hey innovator! Yeah you the guy/girl reading Seth Godin’s “Linchpin“!
Do you find yourself constantly at war with the risk-averse bean-counters in your life?

Do you walk into your office and KNOW that the way things are done here are not the way to get things are done out there in the new digital, collaborative and flat world?

Get your hands on this book.

Ow ow ow ow ow. That’s the sound I make when I read this book, I haven’t spent this much time reading something in six months. It made my ears bleed daily as it was written for B-School people who carry Blackberrys and shout things that make them sound like Power-Rangers “synergize!” ….. but darn was it worth it.

For the “linchpins” who are all about problem solving but want some tools for the office to combat and communicate with the board, the CFO, head of admin, the naysayer – it’s here, this is it.

The book explains the concepts of “Design Thinking” Vs. “Product Development”, productivity Vs. results focus and “The Goal” Vs. “Reliable Results”.

How did Proctor and Gamble take “risks” on new products when they are one of the biggest corporate assembly lines in the world? How did Steve Jobs get the guts and sleep at night giving the green light to a music player in an already crowed market ( the ipod was doomed at first proposal by the board but saved by design thinking ).

Not the easiest reading but fascinating to get through. I haven’t had a payoff like this in ages. This is why Roger Martin is a leading global thinker, was Dean of one of Canada’s top business schools and why he is called to write for the Harvard Business Review so often. If you’re not following him on Twitter, do it now.

You will gain tools to respectfully and more effectively get your ideas approved and understood.

Check it out!

Shame about the cover though. People kept thinking I was reading the autobiography of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh.

Hands up all you in the middle that are burning up for your chance to lead. To make change, to make good, to rule your destiny!

It’s killing you isn’t it.

The middle is pain. Frustration, futility and the cause of other f-words.

But it doesn’t have to be!

This workbook was recommended to me as one of the best sources to help “survive the middle” and it lived up to the recommendation!

You’re going to find the tools, literally “how to live and lead from the middle”.

Thanks to the astoundingly wise John Maxwell for another home run.

Not only did I learn a lot, I came away with a much better understanding of the challenges faced, and the sacrifices required of leaders. Not to mention some of the myths of leadership.

It will help me to enjoy my time in the middle without some of them.

So many of the comments about “the challenges of leadership” made to me by mentors make sense now.

My quality of life actually increased as a result of this book.

I have been waiting for this book literally for five years.

Sharma has some great hits in his title list but I think this could be his legacy if he shares this concept far and wide. He has been championing the concept “Lead Without Title” for years now.

It is a life changing concept. When you live it, you feel like someone has let you out of a prison that you created for yourself, others created for you and the world puts everyone in when they’re born. You are now “allowed” to be your best self at home and work.

This book is in fable format, I’m a fan, it works for Sharma ( not exactly Patrick Lencioni but he’s the master of the fable ) and gets the message across.

Watch the video:

Read the book.

IF you do, I will BUY YOU LUNCH just for the opportunity to discuss it with you. I love love love what this book is going to do for my network.

Final thought if you got this far….

Ummmmm why are all these brilliant writers/speakers branding bald?!

Robin Sharma. Seth Godin. Mike Lipkin

To not go broke I get most of my books from the library.

This book however is worth twice what you will pay for it.

I am simply ASTOUNDED at the value here.

2010 publication, Connecting 2.0
(yes overused term – this is for real )

This book goes so far beyond connecting and networking, honestly it’s like ten books in one. Not only that but the book offers you about 12 valuable downloadable resources FREE.

Over 50 well researched quotes “In Other Words” at the end of each chapter will be of incredible value to speakers.

Chapter on listening could be a book in itself. And I’ve read five books on this topic – solid advice. Self assessment tool to boot!

An entire chapter on mentoring, finding and being a mentor. TWO downloads here, assessment on finding a mentor and how to run an effective mentor meeting.

Section on speaking…could be another book. More resources not just text on topic. I mentioned the quotes but there are also several well researched stories of great people that you be using in your talks this year for sure. I learned something fascinating about Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas that I’ll be using this week in a talk.

A review of the top ten social media and networking sites with a run down of WHY and how to use them! Now this was some serious value, I know the top five well but no one has ever sold me on the next five!

Maribeth has put together an entire section for financial advisors! More downloadable resources.

I just can’t tell you how much I took away from this book on about ten topics.

Clear, quick read information. Value for dollar. Generous sharing of information on her site.

I am nominating Maribeth Kuzmeski for business sainthood.

When you buy a book for business you need to ask yourself will this book make me money?

This book will be worth it’s weight in cold hard gold, not cash.

Check out the website: www.theconnectorsbook.com

Here’s Maribeth herself to tell you more about the book: