Building Your Network Through Communication

In this book we attempt to provide the essential tools and insights needed by professionals of all kinds, including managers in training and students of business, to build and enhance their professional networks. A quick glance at the table of contents reveals the crucial differences between this book and others on the topic of networking. You will notice immediately that much of the book teaches the core skills necessary for successful networking. We emphasize communication in its many aspects because we do not believe that successful networking happens in a social vacuum or simply by good intentions. Learning to network with other individuals means learning to communicate clearly and persuasively with them. Even the most earnest efforts at networking can fail if a would-be networker has little skill or knowledge in gender communication, intercultural communication, nonverbal communication, and other must-haves for a broad range of human contacts and connections. Therefore, this book pays close attention to communication itself, since networks are initiated and held together by communication between and among people. Separate chapters on various aspects of communication discuss special skills and knowledge for establishing and nurturing a wide network. Our goal throughout these pages is to help readers forge robust, supportive networks to find jobs, ideas, encouragement, consolation, and occasional inspiration. As in our other books in the NetEffect Series, this work contains frequent "Your Turn" moments (87 in all), providing a chance for the reader to chime in with his or her own opinions, experiences, speculations, and conclusions. An accompanying number of "Insight" call-outs ensure that the most important points stand out. Each chapter begins with specific goals for understanding and concludes with a succinct chapter summary. The Recommended Reading section contains our suggestions for the latest, best additional reading on networking. We hope you will consider us part of your extended network and would like to hear from you via email about your reading experience and professional goals. We can be contacted at smithdmcusfca.edu or bell@usfca.edu.Bell, Arthur H. is the author of 'Building Your Network Through Communication' with ISBN 9780130917591 and ISBN 0130917591.