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In any new situation, domestic or work, the first five hundred minutes are vital. Seems a lot of time? It is one working day. I will trace the day as though you had started a new job and you can translate the things I am saying to whatever your situation is.

“Welcome” – the greeting that can be so warm or so chilling. Observe which it is with each person who parades it. Observe the handshake, the body language. Is this person for you or against you? S/he is bound to be one or the other. Everyone takes sides with a newcomer, usually before they arrive.

Observe their dress, their accessories and, if you see it, their office or desk space. The question you have to try to answer immediately is “Will this person be a kindred spirit?” You need one or two. Make a wrong judgment at this stage and you may be set back badly.

Ask questions. You must have thought these through beforehand. What do you want to know? The culture of the business is at the top of the list. Is this a political back-stabbing den of intrigue or an open, thoughtful, back-stabbing den of creativity? The latter is more fun than the former but also more tricky.

Make your number with the “little people” as much as with the bosses. The day to day support you need is from those who know where the bodies are buried – and are prepared to tell you. Almost all my progress in corporations was significantly down to the PA’s, secretaries and clerks I knew and who liked me enough to help. In Britain if you want to know anything about the government’s plans you ask a Minister’s driver – but only if you know him well enough.

Make your mark. To do this you must politely – no, charmingly – insist on three changes to the arrangements that have been made for you. They don’t need to be big changes, just things over which you can successfully assert yourself, establishing that you get what you want.

Change of office, maybe, or some simple facility you say is vital to your thought process or welfare. Leaving the provided computer outside the door with a note on it saying “Free – please take away quickly” sends a useful message.

What is the impact you want to make in your First Five Hundred Minutes?

S/he’s charming (smile for 498 of the 500 minutes), tough (assertive, gets what s/he wants), thoughtful (questions, probing and relevant, expanding the horizons of those being asked), open minded (adopt as many of the views expressed to you as you can but don’t be false about it); clear-speaking (don’t mumble or prevaricate).

Make your first five hundred minutes work for you and you are well on the way to success. Keep it up for the next five years and you will probably be boss.