Personally speaking
When you are interacting with anybody, including people both inside and outside of your company, try to foster friendly feelings. This does not mean that you want to be friends with these people. In fact, it is probably best to keep your personal life and your professional life separate. What is means is that you act friendly and you make personal connections.
If at a cocktail party you are introduced to Mrs. Johnson's husband Jimbo and you learn that he is going to play in a celebrity golf tournament, ask Mrs. Johnson how the tournament went when you meet her again. You should always try to remember any personal details that are disclosed during meetings. If you need to, write things down after an engagement such as a cocktail party where you are likely to pick-up an earful of personal details. People are more likely to be helpful when you need them to be if they feel like you are personally connected.
