Rating: 
Summary: Not worth your time or money
Review: I am a sales professional and am constantly looking for books to help better myself. This was definitely not one of them... This book was simplistic and lacked advise that would apply in the real world. The overview suggests that this book will help you with networking and business relations but very little of it applies. If someone approached you at a business function and asked you "What was the best job you ever had? What was the worst?", what would you think? How about "What would you like to come back as in your next life?"? These are just a few of the lame suggestions this author suggests to "break the ice" and begin a conversation. I wish I could return this book...
Rating: 
Summary: Probably the most helpful review...
Review: I am a typical college professor---easy to speak at length (and ad nauseum) about information that is my specialty. However, students find that they learn better when they are comfortable with the professor herself--hence, the value of small talk! I learned from this book the importance of not being an FBI agent, and how NOT to make people uncomfortable! I also learned key niceties such as the importance of eye contact and a smile, even if the student was just given bad news about her grade. I also appreciated the text because I interact mostly with people who are not professors--it is important that I interact with them on the level of "small talk" so that they do not feel intimidated because I have a doctorate. After all, my knowledge is limited only to my field--it is very easy, though, for people to be put off by professional titles. One way to avoid this rut is through the beauty of small talk.
Rating: 
Summary: Professor Learns that Small Talk Leads to Positive Learning
Review: I am a typical college professor---easy to speak at length (and ad nauseum) about information that is my specialty. However, students find that they learn better when they are comfortable with the professor herself--hence, the value of small talk! I learned from this book the importance of not being an FBI agent, and how NOT to make people uncomfortable! I also learned key niceties such as the importance of eye contact and a smile, even if the student was just given bad news about her grade. I also appreciated the text because I interact mostly with people who are not professors--it is important that I interact with them on the level of "small talk" so that they do not feel intimidated because I have a doctorate. After all, my knowledge is limited only to my field--it is very easy, though, for people to be put off by professional titles. One way to avoid this rut is through the beauty of small talk.
Rating:
Summary: not helpful at all
Review: I don't see how this book would help anyone. The 50 icebreakers were just awful! If a stranger approached me with pretty much any of the 50 suggested icebreakers, I'd refer to my "how to get out of a conversation" handbook.....not worth your money.
Rating:
Summary: It worked for me
Review: I felt really silly having to resort to this, but the tips work. Conversations have definitely becoming more interesting, and less stressful, at networking events.
Rating:
Summary: hard to listen to
Review: I had a hard time getting through this one. I found the delivery very irritating and the content very weak. There were a few valid points but all the useful suggestions on the tape could have been done in about 1/10th the time. Alot of repeated information and "fluff". Most of the information was superficial, the speaker was not amusing or clever or even insightful, and the overall theme sounded like a seminar for manipulative used car salesmen. If you are interested in this tape I'll gladly give you mine.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: I hate small talk books that make such a big science of the whole thing. Debra presents a means to develop the proper attitude about small talk. She gives techniques and examples. She is funny in relating stories and empowering in those techniques. I came to Amazon to see if I could find any other audiobooks by her. Those reviewers here who called her presentation tedious are way off the mark. I often listen to this tape in my car and I find myself entertained as well as trained.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine talking
Review: I hired Deb Fine for an international professional consultants assn. conference I have been associated with for 25 years (as President for 2 yrs.) This is a pretty sophisticated group who've heard it all and are very tough on speakers. They loved her. The tape is a great refresher. Even the most successful and experienced sales and marketing folks need a kick in the pants or a reminder. This does it for sure. Well presented, humorous and to the point. Well worth it. I give it to my new consultants as part of their training. I listened to the tape just before an important visit with a difficult client. The reminder I got was used the next day and we won over the client.
Rating:
Summary: Good, could be better
Review: I read this book with a point. I wanted help in building rapport with women. It has given me more confidence when I meet women & go on dates. ...
Rating:
Summary: No substance
Review: I really wanted this tape to be effective. It is important for me to improve my conversational skills in my job if I hope to advance. The tape is just hard to listen to. It is like listening to someone just ramble on and on. It is a taped seminar and I can only assume that the author was required to give a 2 hour presentation. The problem is that there is only about 15 minutes worth of material. The author repeats herself constantly, gives 5 or 6 examples of points when 1 is sufficient, and really just beats around the bush instead of getting to the point. She tells many stories about herself, which frankly are not engaging. Really there is nothing of value here.
| 
