A black book strategy: How to curate friends and influence people

‘Tis the season to look back. For many of us, that includes reviewing this year’s additions to our precious black book, a veritable well of black gold to oil our brand’s success -  if we know how to use it.   
It’s not enough to collect contacts these days. They say you are what you eat, but you’re also who you know, and who you’re seen to know. In influencing terms, you’re as powerful as the people you hang out with. 
On your own, yo