Foreword by George Fraser, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Frasernet, the #1 Network for Black professionals worldwide.

Networking works when you fully understand that there is inherent value in every human being and every human relationship regardless of title or position. Only when we mature enough to stop prejudging people as to their worthiness of our assistance can we truly give without expectation. When you give without expectation, you are networking FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS, and therefore the law of increasing returns will reward you tenfold. There are no exceptions to this law. Had the people in my life prejudged me because I lived in publicly subsidized tenement housing or because I mopped floors at LaGuardia Airport, I would never have had the assistance I needed to fully blossom and maximize my full human potential. At some point neither would most people. This is the spiritual and philosophical underpinning of effective networking.

Networking works when you understand that there is very little that you can do or have in life without working with other people. Therefore, you work diligently on building and developing your infrastructure of human resources by finding a way to add value.

Networking works when you understand that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Networks must be built upon a foundation of established relationships, first of all, but they can extend beyond. Building that essential foundation, however, takes time. You must have an established rapport with your key core of networking contacts.

Perhaps most important to making networking work is showing appreciation for the contributions of your fellow networkers. Remember how your mother labored to ingrain gratitude in you? (“Now, say ‘Thank You.’”) Well, as usual, your mother knew best. Expressing gratitude is positive reinforcement. It works. I make a point to thank people just for making a call for me or sending me some special article they think I might be interested in. All of this takes time, but it is time invested toward a larger reward.

This book fully explores the breath of rewards we receive from the morally grounded and spiritually rooted principles of collaborations, teamwork and networking. Thank you Gerald and Joyce for helping everyone understand clearly that “it takes teamwork to make the dream work.”

George Fraser

Speaker, Author; Success Runs In Our Race: The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in Black America (www.frasernet.com)

And what others are saying…

Brother Gerald is direct and writes boldly and honestly even about systems problems within our African American churches.  However, he spends the most time on meaningful solutions. Any minister or active layman that reads Brother Gerald’s books will be better able to teach about spiritually based economics and social changes.   He writes like Paul told us to communicate: Tell the truth, but in love. He does.

Dr. C.T. Vivian
Civil Rights Activist, Author & Speaker

I couldn’t put the book down.  I wanted to find out what else we need to do to change the communities of the world… This book is a thought-provoking look at what the future could be if we strive for a better life, existence. [It] draws you in to what is, what could be and what we need to do to reach the “what could be.” What a guidebook to help change our lives, our families lives, society and the world. Societies change after reading books such as this one.

William Heckel
Principal Brown Elementary School, Hazelwood, MO

What a wake up call for folks that would want to change their lives and make a difference in their lives.  Fantastic info and direction…..

Bruce Breckle
Trainer, Boeing Aircraft

It shakes off the chains of ignorance and catapults you to success through the unity of our collective minds and actions. Quite a masterpiece!

Tony Hamilton
IT Consultant, AT&T

If only I had read Collaboration, Teamwork, and Networking when it was first published!  This book fully predicted the perfect storm of a society out of balance that would create an economic meltdown, health catastrophe, and political upheaval.   We experienced that upheaval during the last couple of years.  I am now paying very close attention to the solutions outlined, and will be working to help implement them.  I hope others will follow suit.

Rev. Vickie Caldwell
St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition

How do I put into words what the Success-Networking experience has meant in my life?   I am among that incredibly large percentage of African American males that have been incarcerated.  Through the system developed by Dr. Gerald, and put in place in East St. Louis, I am now employed in a position of respect and responsibility.  This has been my lifeline, an opportunity to live again.  I hope and I pray that others will adopt this process, one that permits giving a second chance to people like me.

Carl Kimmins
Manager, Soul Food Café – East St. Louis

Buy the book!  It will be a life changer for you as it has been and is continuing to be for our congregation. This 2^nd edition of Teamwork, Collaboration, and Networking builds on what I learned in the first book.  It shows me exactly how to implement systems that the first book described.  What is exciting for our congregation is to actually put the words  to action as we  integrate the Mind Renewal module into our learning.   It is helping our group embrace their potential, individually and collectively.  I don’t believe I could ask for anything more.

Juliette Hite
Pastor, Total Praise and Worship Center, St. Louis