For many managers, this is the hard part: initiating contact in the absence of an immediate problem or some other compelling reason. Be opportunistic. Attend functions or meetings where you're likely to find people on your list. Consider joining task forces because they're good ways to make connections. Invite contacts to join your network via social networking tools; ask to receive their blogs or RSS feeds, if they offer them. (RSS, or “really simple syndication,” refers to software that makes it easy to keep track of blogs that interest you.) Or offer yours to them.
