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Image Works
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Follow the leader
How do the leaders in your industry dress? Take cues from them and add a touch of individuality.

Dress The Part

Like it or not, what you wear can influence how others see you. More important, it can also affect how you perform.

Never Eat Alone

Keith Ferrazzi defines real networking as finding ways to make other people more successful.

Read my looks

Smart looks professional in the work world. So you don’t turn fashion victim, here’re eight tips to help.

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TAN SU YEN discovers that if reaching into the wardrobe for that grey suit is boring, picking an ensemble that is smart yet relaxed is no easy task

7 steps to being a savvy networker
Building a list of contacts that adds value to your business life is not as hard as you think

Never Eat Alone

Book review, “Never Eat Lunch Alone” by (Keith Ferrazzi) – summary by Adrian Qijing Foo (Singapore)

" 'I generally abhor self-help books on networking, as they tend to encourage superficial relationships. However, I found Keith Ferrazzi's book, Never Eat Alone, captivating and ingenuous, and his ideas are also presented in an elegant and uncomplicated fashion. The core of his book highlights the need to be genuinely interested in other people, to treat them as unique individuals, and to contribute to and share in their personal goals and passions. As a young officer in Singapore's foreign service, the lessons learnt from the book will prove invaluable in the course of my interactions with diplomatic officers, government officials and businessmen. If nothing else, Ferrazzi's sheer enthusiasm for people is simply infectious! I believe that Never Eat Alone is a must-read for Imageworks Asia's clients, and will serve as an extension to the lessons learnt from Imageworks Asia's own course. I look forward to hearing from other readers about their response to the book.'

Adrian Foo is a Foreign Service officer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore and can be reached at foo@post.harvard.edu."

Keith Ferrazzi, a still-only-36-year-old is said to have a gift - a networker, a great networker. Coming from a humble family background, he learnt from a young age that he needs to surround himself with successful people. This can be seen by the 5000 contacts he has in his two palm-pilots, one that has names strictly relating to the particular business he's involved in at the moment and another that contains his own personal contacts. In fact, at every stage of his career, he sought out the most successful people in the world and asked for help and guidance.

In his book “Never Eat Alone”, Keith Ferrazzi defines real networking as finding ways to make other people more successful. Success is really about working with people. When you help others, they often help you too.

Here are some rules that he advocates in his book:

Have a mission – Don’t network just to network. List your dreams and goals, the things that bring you pleasure and joy, and identify people that could help you reach goals. Treat everyone with sincerity.

Don’t keep score – Successful networking is never about simply getting what you want. It's about getting what you want and making sure that people who are important to you get what they want, too. Be generous, rewards will follow suit. Contribute time, money and expertise to your growing network of friends.

Build it before you need it – People can tell the difference between desperation and an earnest attempt to create a relationship.

Be interesting – Consider what you wear for perception drives reality. And, master something that none else does. You have to have something to say to be interesting to people.

Always ask – The worst anyone can say is no. Not many people believe that. Embarrassment and fear are debilitating. There’s no benefit to holding back, every situation and every person becomes an opportunity to succeed. Just do it!

Ping constantly - Eighty percent of networking is just staying in touch – what Ferrazzi calls “ping”. Call to say a quick hello, leave voice messages, drop emails, meet for a cup of coffee, remember birthdays, send a relevant article, etc.

Anchor Tenants – Identify and invite an anchor tenant, the main attraction to a networking event so as to attract the right people to attend. E.g. Friend’s mentors, journalists, local celebs.

Never Eat Alone - Invisibility is far worse than failure. Work hard to remain visible and active among ever budding network of friends and contacts. Keep social, conference and event calendar full.

Art of Small Talk – Start conversations, keep it going, dare to be vulnerable enough to genuinely allow other people into your life. Smile, good eye contact, unfold arms, nod, lean in and touch elbow. Remember names and repeat it in a conversation.