In 2009 who are the new, important people you need to meet? Not customers though, you know, the ones that are going to challenge you, make you see things differently and give you a new perspective. Put together a list of four people across the country who you think will have a deep impact and then go get them. You never know what it will bring or where it will take you!

Getting very bored with being bombarded by these networks being set up with the promise they are different. Are they hell! And some social networks are not any better.

Don’t get me wrong there are some great ones about who really make a difference to their members but there is an over supply and little differentiation. Perhaps a better way of looking at making contacts is to identify five people who are amazing, lead their field, have interesting ideas or run a business that you admire.

Meet with each of them once a quarter…..ask each one for one contact they can introduce you to who is just as exciting and so on. Surely so much more productive than speed dating!