Networking know-how
By Mark Tosczak

1. Seek out people who are different from you. Joining a general membership group, such as an alumni association or political group, can help diversify your network.
2. Reciprocate and be civil. Send congratulatory e-mails, respond to requests for help (even if it's just to say, "Sorry I can't help with this").
3. Concentrate on building up your weak ties - casual, passing acquaintances. Professor Howard Aldrich says he has over 2,000 such connections in his personal digital assistant.