Cambridge Business Association
Well Connected
Book

Well Connected

An Unconventional Approach to Building Genuine, Effective Business Relationships

Gordon S. Curtis
Jossey-Bass, 2010
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

As social networking is burgeoning, the art of building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships is dwindling. Gordon Curtis solves this dilemma with his “Right Person – Right Approach” method of networking. Identify “critical enablers” who are in a position to help you, use your contacts to get a referral and then offer something of value to entice them to your side. Curtis guarantees that his approach will enable you to achieve your business goals, whether you are looking for a job, seeking investment capital or trying to boost your sales. He cites clients’ case histories as do and don’t examples; they all enjoy life-changing success. Although getAbstract is skeptical about Curtis’s 100% success guarantee, the book provides solid networking fundamentals for anyone attempting to become “well connected.”

Summary

“The Right Person – Right Approach Method”

To succeed in today’s competitive and demanding work environment, you must develop effective relationships with the people who can help you accomplish your goals. This is essential not only to making a sale or landing a job, but in any business endeavor. You rely on other people who are in the know to learn about the market, generate referrals, raise funds, make the right hires, find the best vendors or pursue a career move.

Most people waste energy increasing the number of their LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter connections. Such undirected expansion does not produce measurable results. Instead, find the one right person who can enable you to achieve a specific objective. This is the crux of the “Right Person – Right Approach” style of networking. The right person is a “critical enabler,” someone who makes connections, and such a catalytic person exists for every possible business goal. The Right Person – Right Approach method will help you:

  • Exactly define the goals you want to achieve.
  • Discover the person who can help you achieve them.
  • Enlist that person in assisting you.

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About the Author

Gordon S. Curtis is a principal of Curtis Consulting and a popular speaker.

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