~A great way to network at a conference is to volunteer at registration desk. Why? You get to say hello to everyone who registers in your line and everyone who registers gets to see you behind registration table. At event, you'll feel more comfortable talking with people because you've "met" them already. And if those aren't enough benefits, people will "recognize you" from registration desk, and be more likely to come talk with you.

~If you teach a class or speak, go into room early. Get a feel for it, change it around if need be, and greet everyone who walks in with a big "hello my name is ...". Bring name tags or recycle tops of old manila folders, have each person put their name on it, and put it on table in front of them.

Here's how to set up an effective meeting by phone.

1) Plan a simple meeting. Ideally, meeting should last less than 30 to 45 minutes. People are unable to concentrate on long phone calls. They become tired. Their attention drifts. They need to take a break. Design your meeting so that it is short and to point. That way everyone can focus on issues and participate effectively.

2) Write out your goal for meeting. Then make sure that this statement truly represents result that you want to have at end of meeting. Lack of a clear, well-stated goal is second biggest cause of bad meetings. Next check if a teleconference is best way to obtain that goal. Cancel meeting if you can achieve goal with any other approach, such as by sending a memo, making a single phone call, or thinking through a solution by yourself.