Many of you reading this are recently out of school, and have not developed many professional connections. By happenstance, you will acquire some during your career, but it is important to be proactive about identifying and developing new contacts. Those of you just starting out may view your peers as young, inexperienced, and not generally in a position to make important decisions. Nonetheless, make an effort to stay in touch with your fellow classmates. Remember: As your collective careers progress and responsibilities grow, some of these companions will become VIPs. Keeping in contact, and reminding them of your whereabouts will pay off down the road.

Developing personal relationships in business is critical. Most businesses get clients not through marketing, but through referrals. Referrals can come from friends, family, other clients, even vendors. By building relationships into all of your business dealings, you assure that you or your firm will come up when accounting is mentioned.

Relationships that you develop outside of a college setting, with college pals, friends from your hometown, etc., may also be beneficial to your career. Imagine that a college roommate starts his/her own business in a few years. Both of you could benefit from an additional business relationship: You for the prestige of bringing in a new client, and your friend for being able to do business with someone they trust.

Make an effort at meetings, client holiday parties, and at any professional organization to which you belong to meet new people. By being yourself and opening up honest, direct communications you will not only make new acquaintances, but also establish potential business relationships.

Maintaining professional and friendly relationships with your company's vendors-graphic designers, freelance writers, even caterers-- will allow you to outsource work with confidence. A consistent, professional attitude makes your vendors more likely to refer other clients to you, as well.

Developing personal relationships may take some work, but is worth it. Some of my best friends are people I've worked with during the course of my career. Don't neglect this facet of the business world, which can be rewarding both professionally and personally.