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The Frog and the Prince: Secrets of Positive Networking by Robert Morris

The Frog and the Prince: Secrets of Positive Networking
Darcy Rezac with Judy Thomson and Gayle Hallgren-Rezac
Frog and Prince Networking Corporation

As I read this book, I was reminded of Emanuel Rosen's observations and suggestions in The Anatomy of Buzz: How to Create Word of Mouth Marketing. In the Foreword to that book, Everett M. Rogers observes, "New products and services spread among the consumer public through interpersonal communication networks. These networks are for the most part invisible. They often operate in mysterious ways...Thus we are largely blind to this very powerful marketing process." He's right. Presumably the co-authors of The Frog and Prince also agree. In their book, they provide a thoughtful and eloquent explanation of both the How and the Why of positive networking which is indeed "for the most part invisible" and "operate[s] in mysterious ways." Once properly understood, however, and if initiated and then sustained, positive networking is indeed a "very powerful marketing process." In Chapters 3-9, the co-authors rigorously examine this process using the acronym NETWORK. More specifically,

N: Never Leave Home Without Them
E: The Four E's -- Establish, Extend, Exchange, Engage
T: Travel in Pairs
W: Working the Pond -- Positively
O: Opportunity is Everywhere
R: Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
K: Keep It Going

As Rosen would be the first to point out, there are two kinds of BUZZ (positive and negative) and each can have great impact. The same can be said of networking. In terms of personal as well as organizational development, each person within a given organization is (to varying degrees) its representative. Think of all of them as "messengers." Those who manifest admirable qualities and impeccable behavior deliver "positive messages." As for others who manifest contemptible qualities and unacceptable behavior, they (obviously) deliver "negative messages" and should immediately be sent packing. Yes, The Frog and Prince is based on a fairy tale and offers several lessons from it that have direct relevance to the business world. I also think these same lessons suggest how participation in the positive networking process can significantly accelerate and enrich the personal development of those engaged in that process.