Bestselling author Harvey Mackay reveals his techniques for the most essential tool in business--networking, the indispensable art of building contacts.

Now in paperback, Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty is Harvey Mackay's last word on how to get what you want from the world through networking.  For everyone from the sales rep facing a career-making deal to the entrepreneur in search of capital, Dig Your Well explains how meeting these needs should be no more than a few calls away.  This shrewdly practical book distills Mackay's wisdom gleaned from years of "swimming with sharks," including:

What kinds of networks exist
How to start a network, and how to wring the most from it
The smart way to downsize your list--who to keep, who to dump
How to keep track of favors done and favors owed--Is it my lunch or yours?
What you can do if you are not good at small talk

Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty is a must for anyone who wants to get ahead by reaching out.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive guidebook on networking
Comment: Harvey Mackay's "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty" starts by pointing out that having picked up the book, you've now officially become part of Mackay's network. This boils down one of the key lessons of the book: networks are everywhere, and moreover, networks can be -created- everywhere. Mackay not only shows you how, but also why.

Mackay manages to strike a good balance between teaching about networking in general, and sprinkling a lot of little nifty tips about specific situations. Anectodes and encouraging stories are abundant, but they don't steal the attention.

The book also keeps the high ground on values, emphasizing again and again that altruism and reciprocality are key elements for an effective network. In the dog-eat-dog times of today's business, it's refreshing to be reminded that it's not always about what other people can do for you, but how you can help others.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Motivating
Comment: This book helped me appreciate the value of relationships that I haven't been maintaining--hopefully in time to salvage them!. It also helped identify some connections that ought to be formed and reminded me that while a network can be beneficial to me, it's really the service I can provide for the people in my network that makes life rich and fulfilling. Sounds sappy and obvious I know, but Mr. Mackay's book can help you to internalize these lessons in a powerful way. Lots of great stories too, and a very readable format.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: If You Hate Networking, Read This!
Comment: As a consultant and coach, I have to do a lot of networking myself. I also coach people who get tired of shaking all those hands and giving out all those business cards.

Many books on networking give you clichéd information that you knew already. What Harvey Mackay does is much more than that. He shares his experiences from the time his career began to the international success he enjoys today and shows how networking made him who he is. The examples are clear and will give you truthfully everything you'll ever need to know about how to network successfully. Furthermore Mackay has a wonderful sense of humor. You'll laugh aloud as you learn.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Network better, after reading this book!
Comment: Harvey's books are always written in an easy-to-read format, which I like. His no-nonsense prose make it easy to understand his points right away and apply them. While I have learned many networking tips over the years, there were at least 10 new ones in this book that I have never heard of before. If you are interested in improving your network (and career) read this book!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book - Straight-forward Advice
Comment: Dig Your Well... is full of great advice and real-world situations which make Harvey Mackay one of my favorite authors. He is well-networked and likeable, showing that building a network of trusted friends, advisors and business associates is valuable for success at any career level.

Meghan Wier
Confessions of an Introvert: The Shy Girl's Guide to Career, Networking and Getting the Most Out of Life

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