Brownie Bites = +5 Social Capital Points

One of the key lessons I have learned about success in an office environment thus far is the critical importance of building and maintaining social capital throughout the workday and workweek. The following are just a few of the time-tested methods for creating social capital in this particular environment:

1. chatting for several minutes at the beginning of the workday (bonus points for being the first to bring up a notable television event, such as what happened on the previous night's Very Special Episode of E.R.)
   
2. forwarding funny emails
3. being the first to mention the latest viral video
4. suggesting plans for after work social gathering (the act of suggesting such an event is almost as valuable as the event actually taking place)
5. sharing valuable office supplies (printer paper, sticky pads, etc)

And of course, bringing snacks for the office. This week the opportunity to use snacks to raise my profile in the office.

A brownie gift basket company called my cubicle looking for the former resident to ask about his standing Christmas order. When I explained that I was a new occupant of the cubicle, the sales consultant offered to send out a sample pack of brownies. Talk about a manna from the heavens - I love free things and I am obsessed with maximizing my standing in the office hierarchy. The brownies arrived a few days later. After lunch, I cut them into bite-sized pieces and took around a plate to fellow co-workers. You wouldn't believe how excited people were. "You're so nice Greg"..."What a great treat!!"..."You are now at the top of the list for the next promotion" (that was implied through a supervisor's joyful expression with a mouthful of cappuccino brownie). And that, my friends, is just the beginning.