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Step 1
Monitor your expectations of other people and don’t take it personally if he/she is unable to meet with you. Also, keep in mind that scheduling a lunch or dinner meeting is often impossible – he/she probably can’t even spend that kind of time with family!
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Step 2
See if other members of his/her team are able to answer your questions. Those jobs and positions were created so the big boss can focus on other projects to grow the company.
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Step 3
Convenience is key. If you know he/she is speaking at a conference, make it a point to attend and do what you can to get some face-time.
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Step 4
Using the phone is usually the easiest, fastest method to make contact and get answers – just take notes! If he/she asks you to send an e-mail, keep it to less than five questions with short answers. Don’t ask, “Tell me everything you did to get to where you are today.”
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Step 5
Be very specific with your questions and open to referrals. Ask intelligent questions only they can answer -- try not to ask anything you can easily answer with a simple Google.
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Step 6
Plan ahead! Don’t expect that you can get a meeting tomorrow so be flexible with your schedule. If they can’t help you this week, how about next month? It is important to keep the opportunity open for you to get back in touch later.
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Step 7
Say you only need 10 minutes – he/she will likely be more willing to put you in the schedule. If 10 minutes is all you get, good; if it goes longer, great!
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Step 8
Think twice about asking someone to become your mentor if you haven’t established a personal relationship yet since it requires a time commitment.
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Step 9
Most important, make sure to say thank you and offer to do what you can to help him/her in return!
Comments
jtphantom said
on 1/11/2008 Well Done. Thanks for sharing with us. Great Ideas.
jtphantom said
on 1/11/2008 Well Done. Thanks for sharing with us. Great Ideas.