Business Networking For Dummies

Foreword

‘Business Networking doesn’t work!’

You’re absolutely right . . . it doesn’t, when you do it wrong.

You know what makes Stef Thomas an expert? He got it wrong, or at the very least witnessed someone else do it wrong; making mistakes in the field of business networking; as in, all of them. Every single faux pas you could possibly make, he’s been/seen it all.

He got it wrong, as we all do when trying out new things. He’s made those costly and often embarrassing mistakes . . . so you don’t have to.

Back in 2008 when I first met him at a networking event, he was wet behind the ears, like many fledgling ‘entrepreneurs’ (also known as self-employed and very much skint). He had to juggle family, work, networking, budgets, confidence and self-doubt.

It hasn’t always been easy for him, but with most things, often the difference between success and failure is not quitting even when it’s tough. He’s been close . . . but he has never quit.

Stef is a truly spectacular guy who behaves just like a normal one. That’s what endears him to the audiences at his seminars and also makes him so amazing. He’s unaware of his brilliance – whether speaking to an audience of a thousand or in this case, by writing several thousand words to support you, the reader, on your networking journey.

This is a modern-day book for a modern-day approach to modern-day networking. As you’ll see, networking has evolved. It’s moved on. It’s no longer about vol-au-vents, chablis and sell, sell, sell.

Ironically, ...