10 People to Befriend on Wall Street

Ash Bennington, John Carney CNBC March 7, 2011

Skip navigation #headerOverlay{ color: #ccd6df; font-size:11px; line-height:130%; } #headerOverlay strong{ color: #ffd226; } #headerOverlay a {color:#ccd6df;text-decoration:none;} #headerOverlay a:hover {color:#ffd226;} #headerOverlay a:visited {color:#ccd6df;} #headerOverlay a:visited:hover {color:#ffd226;} Symbol Lookup onloadAutoSuggest(); var pgValue = "CNBSEB"; var cmsKeyWord = "alternative investing"; var cmsNewPG = "CNBWAB"; if ((cmsKeyWord.length > 0) && (cmsNewPG.length > 0)) { var newPG = cmsNewPG.split(';'); var group = cmsKeyWord.split(';'); if (newPG.length == group.length) { var description = cnbc_pagedesc.toLowerCase(); for(var x = 0; x < group.length; x++) { var keyWord = group[x].split('|'); for (var j = 0; j < keyWord.length; j++) { if (description.indexOf(keyWord[j].toLowerCase()) != -1) { pgValue = newPG[x]; j = keyWord.length; x = group.length; }}}}} if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(88,31,pgValue); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("SearchBox88x31",false); dapMgr.renderAd("SearchBox88x31","&PG=" + pgValue + "&AP=1071&PN=CNBC",88,31); } cnbc_displayUsername("cnbc_usertime","cnbc_username");RegisterSign InMember CenterSign OutRegistercnbc_toggleUserState();HOMENEWSMARKETSEARNINGSINVESTINGVIDEOCNBC TVCNBC 360CNBC PROU.S.Asia-PacificEuropeEconomyEnergyGreenTechnologyBlogsWiresSlideshowsSpecial ReportsCorrections if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(728,90,"CNBGE7"); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("USNewsBlogs728",false); dapMgr.renderAd("USNewsBlogs728","&PG=CNBGE7&AP=1390&PN=CNBC",728,90); } NetTigerblood. Winning. var cnbcSubHeaderId = document.getElementById('subheader_'+ 38911124); cnbcSubHeaderId.innerHTML = document.getElementById('renderReaderContent').innerHTML; Email: document.write("");document.write("NetNet"+"@"+"cnbc.com");document.write('');Call: 201-735-iNet (4638)Text Message: Text NETNET followed by your tip to 26221. if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(300,250,"CNBGE3"); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("USNewsBlogs300x250",false); dapMgr.renderAd("USNewsBlogs300x250","&PG=CNBGE3&AP=1089&PN=CNBC",300,250); } Current DateTime: 11:25:00 07 Mar 2011LinksList Documentid: 38910464Expiration DateTime: 3/7/2011 11:27:44 AM cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "38910464_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Bud Fox & Hunter S. Thompson cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947283", "38910464_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947283", "38910464_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Did the SEC Open an Escape Hatch for Ratings Agencies? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41949810", "38910464_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41949810", "38910464_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Ten People to Befriend on Wall Street cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947252", "38910464_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947252", "38910464_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Happy Birthday to Me and YOU! cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947254", "38910464_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947254", "38910464_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Guns N' Roses"”and Money cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947276", "38910464_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947276", "38910464_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Greece Lashes Out at Moody's cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947300", "38910464_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947300", "38910464_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Moody's: Effects of Rising Crude Prices are Immediate on the U.S. Economy cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947253", "38910464_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41947253", "38910464_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Gupta Gets Calls a Co-Conspirator cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41912562", "38910464_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41912562", "38910464_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Gary Lynch Leaves: The Un-Macking of Morgan Stanley cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41912337", "38910464_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41912337", "38910464_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Is Rajat Gupta Going for the Frenemy Defense? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41912324", "38910464_10","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41912324", "38910464_10","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); The Spawn of iPad 2 cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41911867", "38910464_11","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41911867", "38910464_11","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); It's Friday, Here's a Treat cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41911528", "38910464_12","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41911528", "38910464_12","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Why Men Date Dumb and Women Don't cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41910169", "38910464_13","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41910169", "38910464_13","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Not Your Run of the Mill Proxy Season cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41904796", "38910464_14","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41904796", "38910464_14","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Employment Picture Makes Things Cloudy for Investors cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41907016", "38910464_15","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41907016", "38910464_15","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Roubini: Don't Do It, Trichet! cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41904487", "38910464_16","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41904487", "38910464_16","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "38910464_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Current DateTime: 08:45:32 07 Mar 2011LinksList Documentid: 39085620FacebookTwitterRSSCurrent DateTime: 08:42:53 07 Mar 2011LinksList Documentid: 38852222John Carney

Runs this joint.

Cadie Thompson

Really, really runs this joint.

Ash Bennington

NetNet Special Reporter

Kate Kelly

Reports on the major Wall Street firms, trading, and regulation.

Jeff Cox

A staff writer with CNBC.com, covering the gamut of issues affecting the stock market and the economy.

Lori Spechler

A Senior Editor at CNBC, commodity trader in a former life.

Lori Ann LaRocco

A Senior Talent Producer at CNBC.

Nicole Lapin

Runs the graveyard.

Current DateTime: 11:24:41 07 Mar 2011LinksList Documentid: 38910635Expiration DateTime: 3/7/2011 11:27:35 AM cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "38910635_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Major Hedge Funds Are Failing To Outperform Broader Market cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41951048", "38910635_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41951048", "38910635_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); As Stocks Return to Normal, Gains May Be More Modest cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41910402", "38910635_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41910402", "38910635_2","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Oil Prices Retreat From $107 On Disputed Gaddafi Report cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41941471", "38910635_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41941471", "38910635_3","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Gaddafi 'Unlikely' to Leave Libya Despite Report: US cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41945430", "38910635_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41945430", "38910635_4","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Hidden Debt Makes Governments Insolvent: Bear cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41935302", "38910635_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41935302", "38910635_5","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Will California's Budget Crisis Push It Into 'Black Hole'? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41950398", "38910635_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41950398", "38910635_6","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Traders 'Short' Dollar as Currency Loses Attraction cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41943872", "38910635_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41943872", "38910635_7","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Highlights from the Geneva Motor Show cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41852848", "38910635_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41852848", "38910635_8","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Fed Not to Blame for Rising Food, Gas Prices: Evans cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41948581", "38910635_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41948581", "38910635_9","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); Is the Four-Year, Liberal-Arts Education Model Dead? cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41626661", "38910635_10","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("41626661", "38910635_10","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); cnbc_commentCountMapObj.cnbc_commentCountMap_put("", "38910635_1","cnbcCommentsTxt" ); » HelpCurrent DateTime: 08:45:32 07 Mar 2011LinksList Documentid: 38851925Subscribe to this RSS feed

Stay up to date with NetNet.

if (cnbc_DARTFlag=="new") { cnbc_DARTAdCall(300,250,"CNBAL3"); } else { dapMgr.enableACB("ContextBlog300",false); dapMgr.renderAd("ContextBlog300","&PG=CNBAL3&AP=1089&PN=CNBC",300,250); } setDefault('cnbc_textbody');Ten People to Befriend on Wall Street Published: Monday, 7 Mar 2011 | 11:41 AM ET Text Size By: Ash Bennington, John Carney window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({appId: 'your app id', status: true, cookie: true, xfbml: true}); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); var sUrl = window.location; var str = '' $(".fbButton").html(str); //alert("1 :::: " + jQuery("#ssShare").length); Twitter cnbc_createTwitterURL();LinkedIn addthis_pub = 'cnbccomrssfeeds'; addthis_hide_embed=false; addthis_options = 'linkedin, digg, delicious, google,facebook,more'; More Share

Getty ImagesA successful Wall Street career requires people skills. In the first place, you need to know who to avoid. Unfortunately, however, it's not enough to avoid people. There are some people you absolutely have to make your allies.

1. The IT Guys. Everything you do in the office is done on your computer or your blackberry. These guys can make or break you. When you call the IT department, and they tell you something is 'impossible' "”like getting access to Facebook or some feature you want installed on your office computer"”99.95 percent of the time 'impossible' really means against company policy, or just far too much work for them. But for a friend, the rules can be flexed and the time can be found.

2. The Compliance Department. Compliance departments are the most overworked and underapp

Really, really runs this joint.

NetNet Special Reporter

Reports on the major Wall Street firms, trading, and regulation.

A staff writer with CNBC.com, covering the gamut of issues affecting the stock market and the economy.

A Senior Editor at CNBC, commodity trader in a former life.

A Senior Talent Producer at CNBC.

Runs the graveyard.

Stay up to date with NetNet.

2. The Compliance Department. Compliance departments are the most overworked and underappreciated people on Wall Street. When something is in the 'Pending Compliance Approval' file, having a friend in compliance can mean the difference between being at the top of the pile or the bottom of the pile. Time is money, and greasing the skids with a little good faith will get you a long way. Don't take this too far: taking a compliance officer to a Knicks game isn't going to keep you out of federal prison if you're ripping off your clients.

3. Maitre d's. Getting a table at a hot restaurant on a Friday night is a skill whose value can't be overestimated"”on Wall Street or anywhere else, for that matter. Here's how you do it: Pick a restaurant or two where you'd like to ingratiate yourself. Then start showing up regularly at six o'clock on a Monday or a Tuesday night. Be friendly to everyone, memorize names"”and tip generously. Within a few weeks you'll be getting waved to the front of the line when your boss can't get a table. Priceless.

4. Your Boss's Spouse. Having your boss's spouse hate you is a career killer. Common sense tells you that the opposite would likely be highly advantageous. Of course, on the flip side, no one wants to answer this question: "How come you keep writing on my wife's Facebook wall?" Tread lightly with this one.

5. The Cleaning Crew. These folks have the keys to absolutely everything. Literally. Main doors, private offices, storage facilities"”the whole shebang. If you ever lock your wallet or your laptop in a conference room, you'll thank me.

6. Security Officers. You definitely want the benefit of the doubt wherever these guys are concerned. Let's say, for example, you show up drunk at the office after the holiday party"” to 'punk' a co-worker's desk. Being in their good graces may mean the difference between leaving in handcuffs and getting off with a stern warning.

7. Shoe Shine Guy: This guy goes around to every desk in the office. No one even thinks twice about continuing conversations in his presence"”which makes him treasure trove of information. He knows who is meeting with whom, who arrives early and late, and who is spending a lot of money on shoes.

8. Graphics and Production Department: I'll let you in on another Wall Street secret: Nobody actually reads those long and tedious reports you slave over from cover to cover. The trick is to have pretty graphics and fancy paper with expensive looking faux leather binding. Then you just focus your energy on writing the executive summary and you're golden.

9. Executive assistants: Because ninety-eight percent of the executives on Wall Street would be hopelessly lost without them. If you don't know this by now I probably can't help you.

10. Junior Analysts: Here's the thing: The lower down you are on the Wall Street food chain, the more abuse gets heaped upon your head. The smallest acts of kindness will generate the largest return among those who are the most habitually exploited. Make a habit to doing these folks a solid and they'll never forget it. Someday, it may even redound back upon you in a major way. (Note: Contrary to popular wisdom we do not live in a small world: It's a very big world"”but we do live on a very small island. The wheel of fortune is fickle: You never know who you might encounter on your way back down.)

Bonus: The guy with the doctor who isn't afraid to prescribe pills. You might think that drugs are only for recreation. You're wrong. The odds are good that you can greatly increase your performance with pills designed to help insomniacs sleep, attention deficient children sit still, or panicky or depressive types remain level headed. Knowing the guy who goes to the doctor who has a flexible diagnosis process is important to getting the right pills. Get yourself an appointment. It's far better than self-medicating with illegal substances.

RELATED LINKSCurrent DateTime: 08:45:32 07 Mar 2011LinksList Documentid: 4195055625 Guys to Avoid on Wall Street

___________________________________________

Questions? Comments? Email us at document.write("NetNet"+"@"+"cnbc.com");document.write('');

10 People to Befriend on Wall Street

Related Articles