- Start small: instead of immediately trying to market your product to 5,000 companies at once, focus on a few dozen specialized local companies to network with. This way you can call them each personally, mail them your marketing materials, and then arrange a meeting.

- Quality matters: you want to be able to set your self apart from all other businesses similar to yours. Having an eye-catching yet simple to navigate web site and presentation material is key to succeeding in modern business world. Creating quality marketing tools doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either; consider hiring a design art or marketing student from a nearby university to help out. You never know, you could even meet your next Junior Executive.

- Come up with a good business plan: keep it less than 25 pages, and include information about your management team, who your customers as, and most importantly, why world needs your business. At this stage in game, don’t over-focus on financial side of things yet. A business plan outline can be found at http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html.

For more tips, including an A-to-Z guide to starting your own business, and 21 ways to draw customers in, go to www.entrepreneur.com.

Jessica Klein is a member of the 'Mount Real Research Team', whose aim is to seek out and distribute business information to the virtual public. She is a freelance writer based in Montreal, Canada who loves writing about anything from accounting to zebras.

7. Small talk is important--don't leave it out. The length of time for small talk depends on many factors. If you are in presence of famous or very rich people and not in a social setting, then small talk, if any, is going to be quick and short. It could be as short as one or two sentences. People who know how much their time is worth, or who are doing you a favor by being there, also fall into this category.

8. Aha, who picks up tab? If you did inviting, you are responsible for check. No matter how more well-off they are. If a joint meeting, ask at beginning or when scheduling lunch on check splitting. Waiting until check arrives to state check splitting is a sign of professional weakness. If you are meeting with someone who is giving you valuable advice, you must pick up tab. A personal handwritten follow-up note is also appropriate. If they have saved or helped you make more money, send them a gift or gift certificate. If you don't you will never get any more of their time again. This has occurred to me, and person never gets any time again.

9. Where does napkin go? Immediately after sitting, place napkin in your lap. If you notice napkin is in goblet, this is usually a signal from restaurant that server will place napkin into your lap. If you excuse yourself during meal, place napkin on left hand side of your plate or on chair. This signals server that you aren't done. When done, place napkin on right of plate and your fork and knife horizontally across plate to signal server.

10. What to eat and use first? Which glass or which fork can be confusing. Bread and salad plates always to left, drinking glasses to right. Utensils start from outside in and dessert fork is by dessert plate. Lay your fork and knife across your plate to signal server you're finished.