The Network Effect: A practical guide to making - and keeping - the connections that can make your world go round

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a consultant, a jobseeker, in sales or business development, or simply want to move your career in the right direction, this book walks you through everything you need to know about connecting with other people. We can say that with certainty because it's been written as an extension of the interactive workshops that we've run for business schools, companies and other organisations since 2001. What 'The Network Effect' offers is sound, proven and above all practical advice underpinned by an explanation of the relevant concepts. If you understand 'why' something works as well as 'how', you have a far better chance of making it work for you. And that, in the final analysis, is our aim - to turn each and every reader into a better networker.

The authors are co-founders of Management Advantage (www.manadvan.com), a training consultancy that specialises in the 'soft', interpersonal skills that so often get overlooked in our professional lives.

Tony combines a life sciences background with a Masters in Business Management from London Business School and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Durham University Business School: his doctoral research into effective networking skills was given the 'Award for Best DBA Thesis' at the summer 2014 Graduation. He has held senior corporate communications positions within FTSE 250 and Nasdaq 100 companies, with responsibilities covering the entire corporate communications and investor relations spectrum. Tony's science, medicine and technology writing has appeared in The Times, The Independent and numerous lay and specialist publications. He has also broadcast for the BBC and written extensively for the web. Tony has taught networking, negotiation and presentation skills at Business Schools, Corporates and Non-profit Organisations in the UK and abroad.

Judith Perle became involved in management training, and co-founded training consultancy Management Advantage (www.ManAdvan.com), after completing the Sloan Fellowship at London Business School. At LBS she realised that although many of us pride ourselves on having the hard skills to get the job done, these technical skills often only 'get you through the door'. Success often depends on the 'softer' interpersonal skills that are all too often overlooked or under-valued. Chief among these is networking - the ability to build relationships of trust. Judith runs workshops and masterclasses for corporates, professional organisations and business schools, and brings to her training role experience in business communication gained over a career in publishing, branding and new business development. She was Brand Development Director for publisher Dorling Kindersley, and Brand Liaison Director for the Superbrands organisation. She has created and edited books and magazines on subjects ranging from gardening to interior design for household names such as Reader's Digest, HarperCollins and Time-Life books. Judith connected the two strands of her career by writing, together with colleague Tony Newton, The Network Effect, A practical guide to making - and keeping - the connections that can make your world go round.