Being familiar with who's who in business will open doors for you and your company. Having the ability to successfully network can ensure that you receive a steady stream of clients, maintain brand recognition and have the resources and contacts at your disposal when you need them during a business slump. Figuring out all the who's who of business may seem like a daunting task, since there is such a great number of potential contacts. However, the reality is that it's truly a small world and once you narrow down prospective contacts to your industry and niche market the relevant who's who in American business becomes a manageable size.

The first and most basic component to interacting with persons on your business who's who list is to make a good first impression. Making a good first impression can be as simple as using electronic letterhead when emailing or dressing sharply and being warm, relaxed and friendly when meeting someone in person. To find these business contacts, implement the who’s who in business basics, such as:

1. Create your own who's who in business profile, so others will know who you are.

2. Find who's who in business contacts in your field via the Internet.

3. Find local contacts through who's who in business guides.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create a profile on a who's who in business website

The first basic step you need to take to successfully interacting with the who's who of your industry is to create your own business profile. Many who's who websites allow you to create a business profile for yourself. This way, contacts can find your profile online and you can refer contacts that you meet to your profile. It's sort of a virtual business card, and is an effective networking tool.

I recommend: Madison Who’s Who is a large who's who networking site that allows member to build a detailed profile of themselves. The Marquis Who’s Who also allows you to build a profile and even offers a free trial.

Search an online who's who in business database

When learning who's who in business basics, figuring out how to find the contacts is an important first step. There are several online databases that allow users to search for relevant industry contacts. Some of these sites offer this as a free service, while others change a nominal fee. You can search for contacts and then take steps to form a business relationship.

I recommend: Business Networking International (BNI) charges a membership fee, but is a huge worldwide source for top level executive contacts. DemandBase is a pay as you go service and also has a substantial base of contacts, and offers a cash credit to new users.

Find local contacts through who's who in business websites

One of the most effective ways to network is to meet other professionals in your area. Once you've learned the basics of finding business contacts via a who's who guide, then you can move forward by focusing on those closer to home. Some business contacts search sites have specialized search options that allow you to find industry experts and colleagues in right in your own community.

I recommend: BizNik has different networking channels for almost every community in the US. It has three levels of membership, starting with a free, basic account. Cambridge Who’s Who brings you both a hard-copy edition of its guide and an online, fully searchable edition that lets you find the business leaders in any industry. This guide is a by-invitation only service, so you know those listed are all the top in their field.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whenever you interact with people listed as who's who business professionals, make sure you follow up with them. This is a professional and friendly gesture, and will help the contact remember who you are.

For anyone hoping to build their business or develop a network of business contacts, identifying fellow key decision makers is vital. While watching the newspaper's business section, attending networking events or even just calling the company can tell you the who's who of business, there's an easier and quicker way-- through the use of online directories.

Either for free or for a subscription fee, these databases provide access to detailed executive profiles, including background, contact information, company information and news about who's who in American business.

Use online business who's who directories to:

1. Find other executives with similar jobs or interests.
2. Determine who in a company to market to.
3. Research an executive and their company before important meetings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a who's who business list with flexible search options

For the most efficient search, use a directory that allows you to search in several ways, including by name, location or industry. This way, you can compile a list of the who's who of business that's relevant to your community or your field, or conduct research only on a specific person.

I recommend: Portfolio.com by Conde Nast includes the executive's title, a brief bio, a link to his or her company's website, and links to recent news articles about the person. The site features high-profile, nationally known executives, as well as executives from small and mid-sized businesses around the country.

Identify relationships between your company and top executives

It's important to understand not only what fellow executives do at their own companies, but also any connections they or their business may have to your own company. By identifying relationships already established between your circle and theirs, you can more quickly establish a rapport, and perhaps more easily get your foot in the door at a company you hope to do business with.

I recommend: The business who's who Boardroom Insiders maps points of connection between you or your company and C-level executives at other companies.

Try a who's who business list for free

For the most detailed information, a fee is usually required, but at many sites you can find names for free, or even try the subscription version on a trial basis. If you only need the names of who's who in business, or if you're using the database for a one-time project, a free or trial version may suffice. And you'll know if the site offers what you need before you invest resources in it.

I recommend: Hoover's free trial which gives you access to the full subscription version.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using online directories is an efficient way to find out who's who in American business, but they're also a great way to make yourself and your company more well-known. If you're a C-level executive, check your own listings on these business who's who directories, to ensure your information is accurate.

Making the most of who's who in business requires honed networking skills and time. Networking events and seminars, online who's who in business lists and databases, and networking through referrals are all great ways to expand your contacts list. Simply contacting relevant professionals is not enough to truly make a who's who in business list profitable for your company.

There is a difference between forming contacts with the who's who of business and forming relationships with them. The latter is a honed skill, takes time to perfect and is the key to successful networking. Having a two-minute conversation with someone and exchanging business cards is unlikely to open any new doors for your business. Forming relationships with the who's who in American business requires you to be memorable. Here are some tips:

1. Look for quality contacts in who's who in business publications.

2. Find specialty groups of who's who in business to locate leads.

3. Learn skills to impress those in the who's who in business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Seek quality over quantity of contacts in finding out who is who in business

This is a huge part of making the most of your networking strategy. You'll benefit much more from spending half an hour forming relationships with five strong prospective who's who business clients than from circulating an event or seminar and having brief conversations with 30 people.

I recommend: LinkedIn is online business networking databases and interface that provides those on the who is who in business list. FastPitch! allows you to contact business who's who members for networking and sales.

Join specialty groups of who is who in business to locate leads

In order for a relationship to form and grow there usually has to be a degree of rapport and commonality between two people. who's who in American business networking groups are for certain populations or demographics. These already qualified professional contacts are right up your alley since there is already a common ground established.

I recommend: Christian Business Networking brings together business professionals that share similar religious beliefs. My Women's Business Network brings together female business professionals.

Hone your skills to impress those in the who is who in business

Effective networking is a learned skill and one that can be improved and perfected with training and practice. To make the most of your business networking opportunities, educate yourself on the who's who of business networking strategies.

I recommend: Entrepreneur is a respected publication with informative articles about effective and profitable networking. Grass Roots Networking focuses on teaching online and collective networking strategies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When networking with the who's who of business, be articulate in explaining what you do and how a prospective contact could be of help to your business, and vice versa. It's best to be clear on how you can both benefit from the business relationship.

Merriam Webster defines "Who's Who" as a compilation of short biographical sketches of prominent people within a specific field. In the business world, a Who's Who list is made up of a notable or elite group of executives at the top of their game. There are many uses for a Who's Who business list: it can be a prominent networking tool among executives and other top-level professionals; it's a way to increase your knowledge about specific companies and individuals; and it's a tool for marketing your company and yourself. Consider a few Who's Who in Business terms that include popular registries to help boost your business networking success.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Business networking

Business networking is defined as a way to leverage your business knowledge with personal connections to bring you a regular supply of new business, new contacts and new opportunities. This type of networking is extremely important to boost marketability in the workforce.

I recommend: BusinessNetworkingAdvice.com provides an interview with Howard Beinstock, entrepreneur and founder of OneDegreeConnected.com, on how important business networking is in the business world.

Business profile

A business profile is a fundamental tool that can set the stage for a company's success, if written right. Business profiles help others within the same field get a feel of what you can offer both as an entrepreneur/business professional, and as a company. It's a great tool market your experience in your given profession and can generate new business leads and contacts as well.

I recommend: Read "A Formula for Writing the Business Profile Article" by Gerald Grow, PhD for a detailed look at what a business profile should incorporate. Review an article on ArticleBase.com that offers insightful information on writing a unique business profile.

EPEs, VIPs and featured members

Most Who's Who business listings or directories offer several types of listings. Although each registry may coin these terms differently, the definition is basically the same for each when it comes to defining a member within a registry. EPEs (executives, professionals and entrepreneurs) are individuals that are hand picked by a who's who selection committee based on academic achievement, professional accomplishments, leadership and service to their industry. VIP members are considered leaders in their chosen profession because of the high level of accomplishment, contribution and commitment within their field. Featured members demonstrate longevity in their field, show dedication to their industry and have the potential to be a strong leader within their profession.

I recommend: Get more information on these three terms at Cambridge Who's Who.

Madison

Madison's Who's Who is a B2B and small business online networking directory where member professionals from just about every industry and specialty can network with each other. Executives and professionals alike can utilize this registry to increase exposure for themselves and their businesses.

I recommend: Visit Madison Who's Who for member benefits, or take their virtual tour for more information.

Marquis

Established in 1899, Marquis Who's Who provides profiles and in-depth accurate information on leaders around the world in many fields, from academics to business. As the publisher of 'Who's Who in America,' Marquis is a strong online networking resource for any company or executive.

I recommend: Check out some of the products and services Marquis Who's Who has to offer.

Strathmore

Strathmore Who's Who is a biographical registry, both in print and online, of global professionals within a variety of fields including business, education, engineering, government, healthcare and law to name a few.

I recommend: Peruse Strathmore's Who's Who website for more information on the benefits of becoming a member of this registry.