Thanks for the tips Glenn.

The most useful tip I can contribute when trying to get someone on the phone, is to ask the gatekeeper "is Mr. So-and-So there?" ... not may I speak to him.

"Is Mr Osborn there? " ... somehow an unusual question. I don't know exactly why this works, but it does.

Maybe by asking if the boss "is there" it catches them off guard and you do not get the run-around and it is easier then to ask to be connected.

So what ideas do you have for the 6-Degrees theory of getting anyone in the world on the phone?