RoAne (How to Work a Room; The Secrets of Savvy Networking) offers her practical advice on what to say, what to wear and how to behave if you're trying to get ahead at work. Her recommendations—dress appropriately for the occasion; be courteous; try to make personal connections—aren't momentous, but the delivery of her message is right on. RoAne is appealing and, although there's no audible audience on this recording, sounds like she's engaged in one-on-one conversation. When she talks about her all-important "grandparent" test (imagine how your favorite older relative would react to a conversation or behavior), it's easy to picture her smiling as she recalls her own grandmother. RoAne includes personal anecdotes, in addition to those of her clients. By showing she isn't perfect and has had to learn from her mistakes, listeners will probably be more willing to believe her suggestions. As strong as the advice is, however, it will be most useful to people who don't have much job experience, are re-entering the workforce or want to work on their communication skills. RoAne's tips—e.g., respond immediately when someone has done a significant favor for you; make a notation on the back of someone's business card to help you remember something about the person—are self-evident, but will be a boon to neophytes and businesspersons who struggle in social work environments. (Apr.)
