Never Eat Alone
by Keith Ferrazzi · first published 2005
69% recommend25% neutral5% critical
Why HN recommends it
Practical, actionable networking advice on building and sustaining relationships, from lunches and conferences to tracking contacts. Suits developers, founders and salespeople who find networking awkward.
Common criticism: Author's name-dropping and self-promotion grate on some readers
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Do you want to get ahead in life? Climb the ladder to personal success? The secret, master networker Keith Ferrazzi claims, is in reaching out to other people. As Ferrazzi discovered early in life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships--so that everyone wins.In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps--and inner mindset--he uses to reach out to connect with the thousands of colleagues, friends, and associates on his Rolodex, people he has helped and who have helped him.The son of a small-town steelworker and a
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…you'll never go back. It's just learning without the hassle of staying seated and having books in your hand. While I was commuting I listened to so many that literally changed my life. My favorite being Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazi (You can also download a few mixergy interviews).
on “How can I keep learning on my 1.5 hr commute?” ↗A while back I read Never Eat Alone [0], and found it to be fruitful for framing casual social interactions. Additionally, most other people do not look forward to "mindless smalltalk with strangers". Since it's possible that everyone…
on “Tricks to make yourself effortlessly charming” ↗> anyone on here has good recommendations for this area Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
on “Ask HN: What is your learning plan for 2020?” ↗…recommend them into other opportunities and vice versa. So I think I'd start by looking at how we can encourage the development of these communities further. For now I give most of my mentees a copy of Never Eat Alone and hope they read it and take it to heart.
on “How to kill the university” ↗…to skmurphy and physcab comments here. skmurphy bring up the point about networking, and that networking is about aiding other to succeed, which in turn will help you succeed. Keith Ferrazzi's book "Never Eat Alone" IMO is a great read and he brings up some really good topics. physcab talks about presentations as a good way to sell, and I admit, I agree. I just finished reading (and am still digesting) Garr Reynolds…
on “What I've learned about selling (as a developer)” ↗…resume. If you are looking for CTO level positions, I don't think you'll have that much luck with random online job submissions. Finding people through your network would probably go better. The book "Never Eat Alone" has some good tips: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Expanded-Updated/dp/0...
on “Ask HN: Have you used a resume writing service?” ↗…https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Lif... Influence: https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Rober... (His work is often cited in other books - especially related to negotiations). Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Expanded-Updated/dp/0... Finally, a word of advice. Most of us here on HN have no trouble reading stuff and grasping its content. Internalizing it, though, will take work. So don't run away reading all…
on “As a software engineer, what's the best skill to have for the next 5-10 years?” ↗…on the spectrum like most of us. Here are the resources that taught me 80% of the basics taken together: - How to win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie) - When I say no, I feel guilty - Never eat alone (Keith Ferrazzi) - Conversation Tactics (Patrick King) - https://www.defmacro.org/2014/10/03/engman.html <- start here, biggest bang for the buck But by far the most important point for me was stop…
on “Ask HN: Why is machine learning easier to learn than basic social skills?” ↗the modern equivalent of the book is "Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi"
on “Ask HN: Which book are you reading?” ↗Never Eat Alone, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Getting to Yes, The Effective Executive ...and like 40 more, too many to list!
on “What books would you recommend reading? Why?” ↗* Blog * Speak * Ask for referrals * Pay Per Click Ads on Google * Read "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi * Host a dinner party at your place, invite a few well connected friends and ask them to bring a friend or two. * Write thank you notes to people who make a difference in your life…
on “Ask HN: Lead generation? (consulting)” ↗Next time you're in the bookstore, check out the chapter on conferences in Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone. It will provide a good counter-perspective. At my own company, we had our founder and a director present at a recent conference, and the contacts and credibility they gained there will probably directly…
on “You’re Doing it Wrong If” ↗This time around, focus on giving a great talk that gets you invited to speak again somewhere else. Then go buy and read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Secrets-Relationship/d... The author comes off as a complete tool, but every bit of advice he offers is pure gold and extremely practical.
on “Ask HN: How to Sell Yourseslf at a Conference?” ↗…or at least borrow someone's (if they'll let you) if you doubt you'll like it. "Inside Steve's Brain" - Great book on the history of Apple, and the inner workings of the company and the philosophy. "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi on the importance of networking and building relationships. "Trade-Off, Why Some Things Catch On, and Others Don't" "The Pixar Touch" Great history of Pixar and how they came about.…
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009?” ↗This is off-topic for programming, not exactly HN-fodder, but I guarantee these books will help you in your career [and are easy reading to boot]: The Goal - by Eliyahu Goldratt Never Eat Alone - by Keith Ferrazzi
on “Ask HN: My company will buy me books. What should I get?” ↗