Buying your way into a Target???

People are motivated by different things so you need to know what they want. In order to know what they want, you need to spend more time with them. Perhaps, someone of them have family members who want to get a job at XYZ firm. Some want to run for office and need campaign contribution. Some of them love PETA and they want to support that cause. Some just want to have a good time around town. I don't consider them as bribing. It's called networking. Networking is where you position yourself to be useful to others while getting what you want from them. It is an alliance, pooling of resources and trading for what you want.

So my answer is yes. 50K can get you into good schools, at least six figures job, pass to the most exclusive clubs and the hottest chicks in town. You just need to consciously think of who you need to know and what you need to do, to get to where you want to go. Having friends in higher places never hurt. The biggest question is "what are you bringing to the table that they are willing to go out there to take a bet on you?" That my friend is a million dollar question worth considering and thinking about.

While making my break into Wall Street, I networked with more than 600+ people. Everyone of them are concerned with three things: 1) Money, 2) Relationship and 3) Others.

1) Money means career and financial issues. If you can figure out a way to be useful to them: introducing them to the right people, helping them with chores, and be selectively generous, you will get ahead. This is mainly true for analyst and associate levels.

2) Relationship. Everyone have relationship issues mostly junior guys. Guys with money want more women. Women with money want to get married. Older guys want to get married. If you can be the social butterfly who can bring people together, you will have the "social asset" that you can leverage upon. No one is going to hate you for helping them with their relationship issues. This applies to all levels, mainly unmarried people.

3) Other. I put everything else that doesn't apply to those two categories above. It is because people who already have Money and Relationship are looking for something else. They want to feel different. They want to enjoy life. If you can help them develop interest: Photography, Wine Tasting, Fashion or help them with Personal Development, and being useful to them, no one is going to blow you off.

The 3rd item also applies to people in higher positions like the MD, and the Partner levels. They already got everything they want in life. Most of them want to make a difference in the world and they like mentoring younger kids. If they can relate to you with your under-dog story, they are willing to vouch for you. And as a mentee, your must pledge your loyalty towards them, take their advice seriously and show progress in your own career. That is showing your respect and that is the only way to win them over.

I have never met anyone who is 100% happy with their lives. There is always areas that they want to improve. The key is to quickly figure out what is keeping them awake at night. What do they want? Stop thinking of what you want and try to help them to get what they want. That is my friend, the ultimate way to influence people, win them over and the key to building a power-base for yourself.