Never Eat Alone

Yesterday I was reading Keith Ferrazzi's book "Never Eat Alone" which is about the importance of networking. There are lots of tips on building a network and using it to help yourself and more importantly help others. Keith is a man who understands the importance of storytelling to communications.

Periodically throughout the book Keith identifies people who are super connectors, they seem to know everyone. On page 220 he adds the Dalai Lama profile into the Connectors' Hall of Fame. A couple quotes that point to the power of story,

"The answer: Powerful content communicated in a compelling story can energize your network to help achieve your mission."
"The Dalai Lama doesn't have a single degree. He does, however, deliver a simple but profound message of world peace and compassion packaged incolorful stories and anecdotes - a message that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989."
"The most gripping stories are those concerning identity - who we are, where we've come from, and where we are going."

Ferrazzi is not a storyteller per se but he definitely grasps the power of story and uses anecdotes generously throughout the book. Not just a master networker but a master storyteller/communicator too.

If you do any networking to increase business I strongly suggest you read this book.