The Secrets of Savvy Networking: How to Make the Best Connections for Business and Personal Success

This book was published over a decade ago, but I still seem to overhear all the buzzwords the author fandances with, as well as the underlying ideology of genderized success-mongering. It's not what you do or what mission you might have, if any (other than your own vaunting or subterranean ambition) but who you are as a function of who you know and can pretend to know. An old story, but always re-occurring in the dress of the era, now micro-era. A terrible book, really, but I think the people for the whom the title has allure will actually like the thing. Even if it is "out of date". I have to say, Ms. Roane seems to dislike cell (she calls them "portable") phones and seems inclined to admonish against the use, in excess anyway, of personal electronic devices generally. So the book definitely needs updating there. Only a real Luddite nobody (or is "Luddite" a male word?) wouldn't be maxing out their look with the most current diminutive beeping and ring-toning gadgets, and pitching them into the landfill within three months. You know how some books have "exercises" and quizzes and have-your-say chapters? Just pretend that Ms. Roane has invited you to observe how people are doin' it (electronically I mean) and to fill in those blanks for yourself. If you can't keep up, you'll never arrive in any network, other than the kind the spider weaves.

Susan Roane touches several aspects of networking, many of which will add a new perspective of how you may or may not continue to operate in the business world. This book will make you cognizant of everything from business card etiquette to the importance of a mentor. Great introduction for a novice networker; super review for a pro.