Why "NEA"?

"NEA" is short for "Never Eat Alone" (say "open sesame" and click).

It is the title of a book on networking that I recommended to many of my friends.

Networking, what a cliché! You can associate the term with many things that are not and hence the book. To me, the new open secret ingredient of the job market is, "networking, networking, networking".

It took me 20 years to figure out the wisdom in the book and I didn't realize it's right there. Put things into context, the author was, at one time, the youngest partner with Deloitte Consulting.

Here are a few samplings from the book.

"The loyalty and security once offered by organization can be provided by our own networks. Lifetime corporate employment is dead; we are all free agents now, managing our own careers across multiple jobs and companies. And because today's primary currency is information, a wide-reaching network is one of the surest ways to become and remain thought leaders of our respective fields."

"Today, I have over 5,000 people on my palm who will answer the phone when I call. They are there to offer expertise, jobs, help, encouragement and support, and yes, even care and love. The very successful people I know are, as a group, not especially talented, educated, or charming. But they all have a circle of trustworthy, talented and inspirational people who they can call upon."

"This book outlines the secrets behind the success of so many accomplished people; they are secrets that are rarely recognized by business schools, career counselors, or therapists. By incorporating the ideas in this book, you too can become the center of a circle of relationships, one that will help you succeed throughout life."

"I enjoy giving career advice and counseling. It's almost a hobby. I've done this with hundreds of young people, and I get enormous satisfaction hearing from them later on as their careers progress. There are times when I can make a big difference in a young person's life. I can open a door or place a call or set up an internship - one of those simple acts by which destinies are altered."

"The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity."

"A goal is a dream with a deadline."