• Career management or a life management skill
  
• We all get a lot from engaging with other people a resource directory--the first place you go, like a friend
  
• Critical part of work and personal life.

• Say your name (some folks in 60 seconds of fame forgot to)
  
• Don't use "trying" when you want someone to hear your message. (as in "I'm trying to get into a new field." If you aren't convinced, how can someone else be?)
  
• People don't like networking because they feel like you're asking for help or you want me to fix it.
  
• You don't want to feel needy, so try thinking "I want to let you know how smart I think you are so you'll want to help me make an important decision."
  
• "pick your brain" sounds like a vulture. It's not a good graphic expression "want to take something from you" avoid "I need"

• building relationships
  
• building rapport
  
• sharing info
  
• spreading a net
  
• extending the connection
  
• expanding the path beyond

• bring info to gain info
  
• ask open ended questions.

• We say we can't ask people for time, so we want to do things over the phone. We need to get over the discomfort.
  
• Put something on the table: Be prepared for meeting--it gives them a framework
  
• Ask for specific people you'd like to speak with
  
• Even better prepared: show a list of folks you'd like to talk to. Ask: "Who else would you put on this list? The List helps to trigger discussion. Plus we can only remember 7 +/- 2 things, but can look at more things on a list.

• Find legitimate and passionate reasons to meet with people
  
• Sincerity, enthusiasm and confidence work
  
• Self-doubt is a very natural thing--watch being desperate or needy or losing your confidence.

• 75-80% of jobs are hidden
  
• 20-25% of jobs are public
  
• 75-80% of competition is going after those 20-25% public jobs

• Write an article and interview them
  
• Join an association
  
• Do a survey and promise to get back to them with the results
  
• Go to and/or speak at conferences and seminars
  
• Make e-mail brief (this works better with an introduction or reference from someone else which goes in the subject line)
  
• Manage communications carefully, especially watch e-mail at high levels
  
• Explain what you want and how you'll get back to them.
  
• Unless it's an open position, don't send your resume--it just gets forwarded to HR
  
• Use your connections--make them happen.
  
• Use introductions: contact the person directly and say who sent you.
  
• Instead of "so & so suggested I call" try "Tom told me what you've been doing . . ." or "Tom and I agreed you would be a wonderful person to talk to about . . ." Make sure the person giving the intro actually knows your target.
  
• Flattery works. Try "may I use your name?"
  
• You don't have to take people to lunch. Sometimes a business setting is actually better for a targeted discussion.
  
• Internet forums or discussion groups are a great place to establish expertise and relationships. Top people often show up and can lead to networking. These are a great resource base.
  
• Join a 5 o'clock club or other networking group.

1. Teams and Groups.
   
2. Presentation Skills.
   
3. Time Management.
   
4. Quality in the Team.
   
5. Writing Skills (expanded here).
   
6. Delegation.
   
7. Managing People.
   
8. Oral Communication.
   
9. Project Planning.
   
10. Becoming a Great Manager.
    

Oct. 16- Insurance - we buy it for peace of mind to cover our homes, our health, our lives. Millions of Americans have disability insurance to help replace lost income in case of a serious illness or injury. If you can't work, those benefits may be crucial for you and your family. But what if, suddenly, unexpectedly, your benefits were cut off? That's what happened to the people in this story. We found some startling charges against the biggest disability insurance provider in the country. Correspondent John Larson reports in this Dateline Investigation.