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Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking
Coffee Lunch Coffee offers an accessible, relevant, immediately actionable approach to professional networking for anybody interested in connecting with others, getting involved in their community, seeking to advance their career or looking to build social relationships. It will help you formulate a strategic mindset around networking while creating a game plan to get out there and connect.
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2012
29 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 8, 2018
Not really practical, instead of 'how' it's fully focused on 'why'.
I don't really think it addresses the most typical problems people have with networking, instead it presents how you can keep organized "schedule" or "registry" of "networking", which is this case looks more like "lead management". There's literally zero of psychological / human aspect, just dry calculation that it "pays off", because if you're in the need of job, you have many people to call ;P
One, final warning - book is very "american" in terms of mindset & general way of thinking. Sometimes it can be considered as a pro (Murricans are open, positive & optimistic in general), but not really in this case ...
I don't really think it addresses the most typical problems people have with networking, instead it presents how you can keep organized "schedule" or "registry" of "networking", which is this case looks more like "lead management". There's literally zero of psychological / human aspect, just dry calculation that it "pays off", because if you're in the need of job, you have many people to call ;P
One, final warning - book is very "american" in terms of mindset & general way of thinking. Sometimes it can be considered as a pro (Murricans are open, positive & optimistic in general), but not really in this case ...
September 25, 2017
Networking is an essential skill in our ever-changing business world. Knowing how to connect with others and build lasting professional relationships will help you in your professional and personal endeavours. Whether you are looking for a job or simply want to explore more opportunities for growth in your current work, networking will help you achieve your goals.
May 5, 2020
This is the ultimate networking guide. I had the pleasure of connecting with author and master networker Alana Muller on my podcast, the Radiate Wellness Podcast. She is a bubble of energy and connection. Do yourself a favor and invite someone to coffee, lunch, and coffee again. You'll get to know them better, and you might be able to help each other!
August 26, 2020
Some practical tips, but lots of name dropping and I feel like she padded it a bit to get to a desired word count. The workbook exercises seem useful. The idea that we should be networking for 750 hours a year is insane and that will never be my goal.
July 5, 2022
If you're new to networking, this is a great book. If you feel like you've already mastered networking, its an okay book. It did give a few additional tips & tricks that I didn't already utilize so I did enjoy this book.
October 19, 2024
Useful to a degree. I had a dream once to work in an environment where such skills are used, but it is all gone now. :(
Blinkist. Really loved the narrator. She an excellent warm voice and a perfect control of her speed and intonation.
Blinkist. Really loved the narrator. She an excellent warm voice and a perfect control of her speed and intonation.
September 25, 2017
Book about building healthy professional network
April 27, 2019
Alana is a master networker and even took time to meet me for lunch!
August 27, 2019
A good book about networking.
May 5, 2021
Clear, practical advice on making the most of networking and building relationships.
March 20, 2022
I usually don't like books like this but I actually learned a couple of things when I read this.
May 21, 2021
Networking is an essential skill in our ever-changing business world. Knowing how to connect with others and build lasting professional relationships will help you in your professional and personal endeavours. Whether you are looking for a job or simply want to explore more opportunities for growth in your current work, networking will help you achieve your goals.
Networking is a necessary skill to have in order to succeed and goes beyond collecting business cards.
To be effective networkers, we must be interested in the people we are talking to, not just in seeing what the other person can do for us. In the long term, helping others offers benefits to both our professional and personal lives.
Networking is not about the quantity of contacts, but the quality of our relations.
tips include: making sure you have a 30-second elevator speech where you can quickly and easily introduce who you are and what you do; knowing what resources you can use to network (sites such as linkedin.com and job-hunt.org); how to tell your story to really connect with others and how to build your portfolio.
Networking means crafting relationships, connecting with people, and being part of a greater community. Our jobs may change, but the relationships we cultivate through networking endure over time.
To get the most out of networking, you should treat it like a job: get up early and start planning your meetings. Ideal times to meet up with others are morning coffee, midday lunch, and afternoon coffee.
To be successful at networking, you must know your goals and complete the necessary prep-work.
Where do you see yourself in the next few months? What about in a couple of years? Addressing these questions can make networking more effective because they help you identify your goals. And identifying your goals helps you to step up your networking.
Short term goals can include meeting those who are involved in your field, discussing and receiving ideas from them and asking how you might be able to help them.
Long term goals might include cultivating professional and personal relationships with colleagues, getting your dream job or making a positive difference to others within your current job.
achieve your networking goals:
• People in your community that you already know
• People you want to get to know in your community
• Companies you want to get to know
• Your “non-negotiables”
Your “non-negotiables” list outlines the things that you are not willing to compromise for your new job.
storytelling, which means sharing anecdotes from your professional experience.
Your story should start with an introductory email requesting a meeting. How you introduce yourself here is very important.
If you didn’t receive their contact information yourself, mention who gave you their details and how you contacted them.
In your email, briefly outline your work experience and close off by stating what you are interested in working on and asking whether the person is available to meet up.
In this initial email, avoid sending a résumé. Instead, send it in a follow-up email, when confirming the meeting.
When you’re actually in the meeting, your story should be well-crafted, bring your work experience to life and contain the following features:
First, you should mention what conflicts you faced in your job. For example, maybe you managed to retain a client who was considering leaving your services.
You should also have a hero – you, of course – but mentioning particularly helpful colleagues along the way is also a good idea.
To keep your partner interested, there should also be anticipation. After the conflict, you can provide reasons why it was so important.
Next, your story should have a peak, that is, tell them how you solved the conflict!
After the peak, describe a transformation by telling them how you changed as a result of the conflict.
Finally, provide an explanation, where you emphasize how you grew from the experience.
Make sure your story is relevant to your listeners and encourage them to reciprocate with their own anecdotes.
Be sure to write a follow-up email thanking the other party for their time and, if appropriate, send a thank-you email to the person who referred you.
Networking involves taking risks and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Refusing to give up is key to mastering networking.
To become an excellent networker takes dedication, perseverance, and completing day-to-day practicalities such as meeting with others, being an attentive listener, following up and being ready to give back to others.
Networking is about fostering relationships; like cultivating a garden, it would be absurd to expect instant results. The relationships need time and attention to grow.
Networking is a necessary skill to have in order to succeed and goes beyond collecting business cards.
To be effective networkers, we must be interested in the people we are talking to, not just in seeing what the other person can do for us. In the long term, helping others offers benefits to both our professional and personal lives.
Networking is not about the quantity of contacts, but the quality of our relations.
tips include: making sure you have a 30-second elevator speech where you can quickly and easily introduce who you are and what you do; knowing what resources you can use to network (sites such as linkedin.com and job-hunt.org); how to tell your story to really connect with others and how to build your portfolio.
Networking means crafting relationships, connecting with people, and being part of a greater community. Our jobs may change, but the relationships we cultivate through networking endure over time.
To get the most out of networking, you should treat it like a job: get up early and start planning your meetings. Ideal times to meet up with others are morning coffee, midday lunch, and afternoon coffee.
To be successful at networking, you must know your goals and complete the necessary prep-work.
Where do you see yourself in the next few months? What about in a couple of years? Addressing these questions can make networking more effective because they help you identify your goals. And identifying your goals helps you to step up your networking.
Short term goals can include meeting those who are involved in your field, discussing and receiving ideas from them and asking how you might be able to help them.
Long term goals might include cultivating professional and personal relationships with colleagues, getting your dream job or making a positive difference to others within your current job.
achieve your networking goals:
• People in your community that you already know
• People you want to get to know in your community
• Companies you want to get to know
• Your “non-negotiables”
Your “non-negotiables” list outlines the things that you are not willing to compromise for your new job.
storytelling, which means sharing anecdotes from your professional experience.
Your story should start with an introductory email requesting a meeting. How you introduce yourself here is very important.
If you didn’t receive their contact information yourself, mention who gave you their details and how you contacted them.
In your email, briefly outline your work experience and close off by stating what you are interested in working on and asking whether the person is available to meet up.
In this initial email, avoid sending a résumé. Instead, send it in a follow-up email, when confirming the meeting.
When you’re actually in the meeting, your story should be well-crafted, bring your work experience to life and contain the following features:
First, you should mention what conflicts you faced in your job. For example, maybe you managed to retain a client who was considering leaving your services.
You should also have a hero – you, of course – but mentioning particularly helpful colleagues along the way is also a good idea.
To keep your partner interested, there should also be anticipation. After the conflict, you can provide reasons why it was so important.
Next, your story should have a peak, that is, tell them how you solved the conflict!
After the peak, describe a transformation by telling them how you changed as a result of the conflict.
Finally, provide an explanation, where you emphasize how you grew from the experience.
Make sure your story is relevant to your listeners and encourage them to reciprocate with their own anecdotes.
Be sure to write a follow-up email thanking the other party for their time and, if appropriate, send a thank-you email to the person who referred you.
Networking involves taking risks and stepping outside your comfort zone.
Refusing to give up is key to mastering networking.
To become an excellent networker takes dedication, perseverance, and completing day-to-day practicalities such as meeting with others, being an attentive listener, following up and being ready to give back to others.
Networking is about fostering relationships; like cultivating a garden, it would be absurd to expect instant results. The relationships need time and attention to grow.
December 30, 2023
I just finished reading your book and I am so grateful to have come across it. The stories, personal relationships, and practical tips shared in the book have been incredibly valuable to me. The charts provided for organizing my contacts were particularly helpful, and the reminders and recaps were a great way to keep the information fresh in my mind. The questions provided were truly creative and of excellent intelligence, much like the great Albert Einstein. I also love that you encourage readers to connect with you, it shows me that you are leading by example and living out your words. In other words, you are "following up" on what you state throughout the book and "following through." I love it Alana Muller!
January 20, 2015
A very direct listing of resources and best practices in the art of networking from a master in the craft. The essence of the whole book is that networking requires practice, preparation, and persistence to work. That and a nice headshot.
December 27, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It makes networking fun and simple not so much a job!
Looking into implementing this into a new personal development Cirriculum in 2014.
Looking into implementing this into a new personal development Cirriculum in 2014.
April 11, 2015
Good overview. Practical steps to take for better networking. Kansas City and Kauffman connection.
March 5, 2016
Didn't finish. Lost interest. Same networking stuff as most other books on the topic.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews