Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.31

                                 October 1, 1999

Mr. Andre Dahan
c/o The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation
One Diamond Hill Road
Murray Hill, NJ 07974

Dear Andre:

                  The purpose of this letter is to confirm our discussions
regarding your employment as President of Dun & Bradstreet - US, which is a
division of Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation ("Parent" and, together with its subsidiaries, the
"Company"), as follows:

                  (1) Period of Coverage. The provisions set forth in this
letter will be applicable during the period beginning on the date hereof and
ending on the second anniversary of the date hereof (the "Covered Period"),
after which time they will be of no further force or effect.

                  (2) Salary Continuation and Related Matters in Event of
Termination. (a) In the event your employment with the Company is terminated
during the Covered Period under any circumstances other than those described in
paragraph 3 below, you will be entitled to a Salary Continuation Benefit equal
to 200% of the sum of: (i) your annual base salary in effect at the time your
employment with the Company terminates; and (ii) your guideline annual bonus
opportunity then in effect under the annual bonus plan in which you are then
participating (irrespective of the actual operating results of the Company
during the Salary Continuation Period referred to below). The foregoing Salary
Continuation Benefit will be made in bi-weekly installments until the second
anniversary of your termination (the "Salary Continuation Period"), payable at
such times as your base annual salary would have been paid if your employment
had not terminated. During the Covered Period, your annual base salary and
guideline annual bonus opportunity shall not be less than the applicable amounts
in effect as of the date hereof, which are $520,000 and $260,000, respectively.

<PAGE>   2
Mr. Andre Dahan
October 1,1999
Page 2

                  (b) Medical, dental and life insurance benefits shall be
provided throughout the Salary Continuation Period at the levels in effect for
you immediately prior to the termination of your employment with the Company but
in no event greater than the levels in effect for active employees generally
during the Salary Continuation Period, provided that you shall pay the employee
portion of any required premium payments at the level generally in effect for
employees of the Company. For purposes of determining your entitlement to
continuation coverage as required by Title I, Subtitle B, Part 6 of ERISA, your
18-month or other period of coverage shall commence on the last day of the
Salary Continuation Period.

                  (c) You will be entitled to no further grants under the
Company's stock incentive plans upon termination of your employment and
commencement of the Salary Continuation Period and your rights in respect of any
then-existing grants under such plans shall be as specified therein.

                  (d) In the event your employment with the Company is
terminated during the Covered Period under any of the circumstances described in
paragraph 3 below (other than by the Company for "Cause" as referred to
therein), you shall be entitled to an amount equal to the actual bonus which
would have been payable to you under the annual bonus plan in which you are then
participating had you remained employed through the end of the year of such
termination, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
full months of employment during the calendar year of termination and the
denominator of which is 12. Such bonus shall be payable at the time otherwise
payable under the applicable plan had your employment not terminated.

                  (e) The grant of benefits pursuant to the foregoing provisions
of this paragraph (2) is conditioned upon your signing a Severance Agreement and
Release substantially in the form attached to this letter as Exhibit 1 and the
expiration of any revocation period set forth therein.

                  (f) In the event of your death during the Salary Continuation
Period, the payments provided in this paragraph (2) shall continue to be paid to
your estate at the time or times otherwise provided for herein.

                  (3) Non-Eligible Terminations. The benefits specified in
paragraph (2) above (other than as described in subparagraph (d) thereof) shall
not be payable in the event your employment with the Company is terminated (a)
as a result of your disability (within the meaning of the long-term disability
plan then applicable to you) or death, (b) as a result of a unilateral
resignation by you, (c) by the Company for "Cause" (as defined below), or (d)
following any sale, merger, combination, spinoff, reorganization, liquidation,
dissolution or other transaction or event that constitutes a "Change in Control"
(within the meaning of the letter agreement dated as of June 29, 1998 between
Parent and you). For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (a) willful
malfeasance or willful misconduct by you in connection with your employment, (b)
continuing failure to perform such duties as are requested by any employee to
whom you report or the Company's board of directors; provided such duties

<PAGE>   3

Mr. Andre Dahan
October 1,1999
Page 3

are consistent with your duties, responsibilities and/or authority as President
of Dun & Bradstreet - US, (c) failure by you to observe material policies of the
Company applicable to you or (d) your conviction in a court of competent
jurisdiction of (i) any felony or (ii) any misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude.

                  (4) Future ETP Eligibility. In the event your employment with
the Company continues as of the expiration of the Covered Period, you shall be
eligible for participation in the Parent's Executive Transition Plan (the "ETP")
in respect of periods thereafter in accordance with the terms and conditions
specified in the ETP.

                  (5) Career Transition Plan. In consideration of the benefit
rights granted to you above, you hereby relinquish your right to benefits under
Parent's Career Transition Plan.

                  (6) Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan. Unless you
unilaterally resign your employment with the Company during the Covered Period
(in which event this paragraph (6) shall be of no force or effect), your
Credited Service (as defined for purposes of Parent's Supplemental Executive
Benefit Plan) shall in all events be deemed to include a period of at least five
years.

                  (7) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                  (8) Mitigation. You shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payments or benefits provided for hereunder, subject to your
compliance with the Severance Agreement and Release referred to in subparagraph
(e) above, by seeking employment with any person or otherwise, nor shall the
amount of any such payments or benefits be reduced by any compensation, benefit
or other amount earned by, accrued for or paid to you as the result of your
employment by or consultancy or other association with any other person during
the Salary Continuation Period.

                  (9) Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold you
harmless from and against any expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement incurred by you by reason of your being
made a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of any act or omission to act by you during your
employment with the Company or otherwise by reason of the fact that you are or
were a director or officer of the Company to the fullest extent and in the
manner set forth and permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware and any other applicable law as from time to time in effect and the
Company's charter and bylaws. This provision shall survive any termination of
your employment and deemed termination of this Agreement.

                  (10) Governing Law/Arbitration. The interpretation and
application of the terms herein shall be governed by the laws of the State of
New York without regard to principles
<PAGE>   4

Mr. Andre Dahan
October 1,1999
Page 4

of conflict of laws. Any disagreement or controversy arising out of or relating
to the terms of this Agreement shall be submitted for resolution to arbitration
before a single arbitrator with knowledge of employment law mutually selected by
you and the Company. The arbitration shall be held in the City of New York. The
award rendered in said proceeding shall be made in writing and shall be final
and binding upon both parties, and judgment upon the award may be entered in any
court having jurisdiction thereof. The fees and expenses, if any, of the
arbitrators shall be borne equally by the parties.

                  (11) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
simultaneously in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
If the foregoing terms of employment are acceptable, please so indicate in the
space provided below.

                  If the foregoing is consistent with your understanding, please
so indicate in the space provided on the duplicate of this letter and return
such duplicate to us, whereupon this letter will constitute a binding agreement
between us as of the date first above written.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION

                                               By:/s/ Volney Taylor
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                       Volney Taylor
                                                       Chairman and Chief
                                                       Executive Officer

Confirmed and Agreed:
/s/ Andre Dahan
--------------------
    Andre Dahan

<PAGE>   5
               THE DUN & BRADSTREET EXECUTIVE TRANSITION PLAN
                            (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED)

            The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (the "Company") wishes to define
those circumstances under which it will provide assistance to an Eligible
Employee in the event of his or her Eligible Termination (as such terms are
defined herein). Accordingly, the Company hereby establishes The Dun &
Bradstreet Executive Transition Plan (the "Plan").

            SECTION 1  -  DEFINITIONS

            1.1 "Administrative Committee" shall mean a committee of Company
management employees heretofore established by the Committee.

            1.2 "Cause" shall mean (a) willful malfeasance or willful misconduct
by the Eligible Employee in connection with his or her employment, (b)
continuing failure to perform such duties as are requested by any employee to
whom the Eligible Employee reports or the Company's board of directors, (c)
failure by the Eligible Employee to observe material policies of the Company
applicable to the Eligible Employee or (d) the commission by an Eligible
Employee of (i) any felony or (ii) any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

            1.3 "Committee" shall mean the Executive Compensation and Stock
Option Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

            1.4 "Eligible Employee" shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company and such other executive officers of the Company or its affiliates
as are designated in writing by the Chief Executive Officer.

            1.5 "Eligible Termination" shall mean (a) an involuntary termination
of employment with the Company by reason of a reduction in force program, job
elimination or unsatisfactory performance in the execution of an Eligible
Employee's duties or (b) a resignation mutually agreed to in writing by the
Company and the Eligible Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Eligible
Termination shall not include (w) a unilateral resignation, (x) a termination by
the Company for Cause, (y) a termination as a result of a sale (whether in whole
or in part, of stock or assets), merger or other combination, spinoff,
reorganization or liquidation, dissolution or other winding up or other similar
transactions involving the Company; provided however, that a termination of
employment as a result of a Change in Control and during the Change in Control
Period shall not be covered by this clause (y), or (z) any termination where an
offer of employment is made to the Eligible Employee of a comparable position at
the Company.
<PAGE>   6
            1.6 "Salary" shall mean an Eligible Employee's annual base salary at
the time his or her employment terminates, except as otherwise provided in
Schedule A hereto.

            1.7 "Severance and Release Agreement" shall mean an agreement signed
by the Eligible Employee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, by action of its chief human
resources officer or chief legal counsel, modify the form of Severance and
Release Agreement to be signed by any Eligible Employee in a manner approved by
the Administrative Committee.

            SECTION 2  -  SEVERANCE BENEFITS

            2.1 Subject to the provisions of this Section 2, in the event of an
Eligible Termination, an Eligible Employee shall be entitled to receive from the
Company the benefits set forth on Schedule A hereto.

            2.2 The grant of severance benefits pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof
is conditioned upon an Eligible Employee's (a) signing a Severance and Release
Agreement and the expiration of any revocation period set forth therein and, (b)
relinquishment of any right to benefits under the Dun & Bradstreet Career
Transition Plan.

            2.3 Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein (except as
set forth in this Section 2.3), the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may,
at any time, take such action as such officer, in such officer's sole
discretion, deems appropriate to reduce or increase by any amount the benefits
otherwise payable to an Eligible Employee pursuant to Schedule A or otherwise
modify the terms and conditions applicable to an Eligible Employee under this
Plan provided that the Chief Executive Officer reports any reduction or increase
in benefits or other modification of the terms and conditions hereof to the
Committee and provided further that with respect to benefits payable, or other
modifications applicable, to the Chief Executive Officer, only the Committee may
take such action. Benefits granted hereunder may not exceed an amount nor be
paid over a period which would cause the Plan to be other than a "welfare
benefit plan" under section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").

            2.4 In the event the Company, in its sole discretion, grants an
Eligible Employee a period of inactive employee status, then, in such event, any
amounts paid to such Eligible Employee during any such period shall offset the
benefits payable under this Plan. For this purpose, a period of inactive
employee status shall mean the period beginning on the date such status
commences (of which the Eligible Employee shall be notified) and ending on the
date of such Eligible Employee's termination of employment.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   7
            SECTION 3  -  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

            3.1 The Company reserves the right to terminate the Plan at any time
and without any further obligation by action of its board of directors or such
other person or persons to whom the board properly delegates such authority.

            3.2 The Company shall have the right to modify or amend the terms of
the Plan at any time, or from time to time, to any extent that it may deem
advisable by action of its board of directors, the Committee or such other
person or persons to whom the board or the Committee properly delegates such
authority.

            3.3   All modifications of or amendments to the Plan shall be
in writing.

            SECTION 4  -  ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

            4.1 The Committee shall be the Plan Administrator and shall have the
exclusive right, power and authority to:

            (a)   interpret, in its sole discretion, any and all of the
provisions of the Plan;

            (b)   establish a claims and appeals procedure; and

            (c) consider and decide conclusively any questions (whether of fact
or otherwise) arising in connection with the administration of the Plan or any
claim for severance benefits arising under the Plan.

Any decision or action of the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be
conclusive and binding on any affected person.

            4.2 The Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause the
Administrative Committee or its designee to function as the Committee for
purposes of this Section 4.

            4.3 The Company shall indemnify any individual who is a director,
officer or employee of the Company or any affiliate, or his or her heirs and
legal representatives, against all liability and reasonable expense, including
counsel fees, amounts paid in settlement and amounts of judgments, fines or
penalties, incurred or imposed upon him or her in connection with any claim,
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, in connection with his or her duties with respect to the Plan,
provided that any act or omission giving rise to such claim, action, suit or
proceeding does not constitute willful misconduct or is not performed or omitted
in bad faith.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   8
            SECTION 5  -  MISCELLANEOUS

            5.1 Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any action of the
Company, the Committee, or any fiduciary shall be held or construed to confer
upon any person any legal right to continue employment with the Company. The
Company expressly reserves the right to discharge any employee whenever the
interest of the Company, in its sole judgment, may so require, without any
liability on the part of the Company, the Committee, or any fiduciary.

            5.2 Benefits payable under the Plan shall be paid out of the general
assets of the Company or an affiliate. The Company need not fund the benefits
payable under this Plan; however, nothing in this Section 5.2 shall be
interpreted as precluding the Company from funding or setting aside amounts in
anticipation of paying such benefits. Any benefits payable to an Eligible
Employee under this Plan shall represent an unsecured claim by such Eligible
Employee against the general assets of the Company that employed such Eligible
Employee.

            5.3 The Company shall deduct from the amount of any severance
benefits payable hereunder the amount required by law to be withheld for the
payment of any taxes and any other amount, properly to be withheld.

            5.4 Benefits payable under the Plan shall not be subject to
assignment, alienation, transfer, pledge, encumbrance, commutation or
anticipation by the Eligible Employee. Any attempt to assign, alienate,
transfer, pledge, encumber, commute or anticipate Plan benefits shall be void.

            5.5 This Plan shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent superseded by applicable
federal law.

            5.6 This Plan will be of no force or effect to the extent superseded
by foreign law.

            5.7 This Plan supersedes any and all prior severance arrangements,
policies, plans or practices of the Company (whether written or unwritten).
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Plan does not affect the severance
provisions of any written individual employment contracts or written agreements
between an Eligible Employee and the Company. Benefits payable under the Plan
shall be offset by any other severance or termination payment made by the
Company including, but not limited to, amounts paid pursuant to any agreement or
law.

            5.8 This Plan, as amended and restated, shall be effective as of
February 19, 1997.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   9
                                                                       Exhibit 1

                         SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

            THIS SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, made by and between
 (hereinafter referred to as "Employee"), and The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation (hereinafter deemed to include its worldwide subsidiaries and
affiliates and referred to as "the Company").

            WITNESSETH THAT:

            WHEREAS, Employee has been employed by the Company since the
date specified in the Appendix; and

            WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to enter into an
agreement in order to provide certain benefits and salary continuation to
Employee;

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises hereinafter provided and of the actions taken pursuant thereto, the
parties agree as follows:

            1.    Employee's employment with the Company, and Employee's
membership on any committees, is terminated effective on the date
specified in the Appendix.

            2. Effective on the date set forth in the Appendix, Employee will
incur an "Eligible Termination" under The Dun & Bradstreet Executive Transition
Plan (the "Plan"), a summary plan description of which Employee hereby
acknowledges receipt, and will, accordingly, be entitled to the benefits set
forth therein subject to the terms and conditions of such Plan. A summary of the
benefits to which Employee is entitled under the Plan is set forth in the
Appendix.

            3. Through the Termination Date specified in the Appendix, Employee
will be reasonably available to consult on matters, and will cooperate fully
with respect to any claims, litigations or investigations, relating to the
Company. No reimbursement for expenses incurred after the commencement of a
period of inactive employee status, or if there is no such period, after
termination of employment, shall be made to Employee unless authorized in
advance by the Company.

            4. Employee agrees that until the Termination Date Employee will not
become a stockholder (unless such stock is listed on a national securities
exchange or traded on a daily basis in the over-the-counter market and the
Employee's ownership interest is not in excess of 2% of the company whose shares
are being purchased), employee, officer, director or consultant of or to a
corporation, or a member or an employee of or a consultant to a partnership or
any other business or firm, which
<PAGE>   10
competes with any of the businesses owned or operated by the Company; nor if
Employee becomes associated with a company, partnership or individual which
company, partnership or individual acts as a consultant to businesses in
competition with the Company will Employee provide services to such competing
businesses. The restrictions contained in this paragraph shall apply whether or
not Employee accepts any form of compensation from such competing entity or
consultant. Employee also agrees that until the Termination Date Employee will
not recruit or solicit any customers of the Company to become customers of any
business entity which competes with any of the businesses owned or operated by
the Company. In addition, Employee agrees that until the Termination Date
neither Employee nor any company or entity Employee controls or manages, shall
recruit or solicit any employee of the Company to become an employee of any
business entity.

            5. If Employee performs services for an entity other than the
Company at any time prior to the Termination Date (whether or not such entity is
in competition with the Company), Employee shall notify the Company on or prior
to the commencement thereof. To "perform services" shall mean employment or
services as a full-time employee, consultant, owner, partner, associate, agent
or otherwise on behalf of any person, principal, partnership, firm or
corporation. For purposes of this paragraph 5 only, "Company" shall mean The Dun
& Bradstreet Corporation and any other affiliated entity more than 50% of the
voting interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by The Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation and which has elected to participate in The Dun &
Bradstreet Career Transition Plan by action of its board of directors.

            6. Employee agrees that Employee will not directly or indirectly
disclose any proprietary or confidential information, records, data, formulae,
specifications and other trade secrets owned by the Company, whether oral or
written, to any person or use any such information, except pursuant to court
order (in which case Employee will first provide the Company with written notice
of such). All records, files, drawings, documents, models, disks, equipment and
the like relating to the businesses of the Company shall remain the sole
property of the Company and shall not be removed from the premises of the
Company. Employee further agrees to return to the Company any property of the
Company which Employee may have, no matter where located, and not to keep any
copies or portions thereof.

            7. Employee shall not make any derogatory statements about the
Company and shall not make any written or oral statement, news release or other
announcement relating to Employee's employment by the Company or relating to the
Company, its subsidiaries, customers or personnel, which is designed to
embarrass or criticize any of the foregoing.

            8. Employee agrees that in the event of any breach of the covenants
contained in paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 in addition to any remedies that may be
available to the Company, the Company may cease all payments required to be made
to Employee under the Plan and recover all such payments previously made to
Employee pursuant to the Plan. The parties agree that any such breach would
cause injury to the Company which cannot reasonably or adequately be quantified
and that such relief does not constitute in any way a penalty or a forfeiture.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   11
            9. Employee, for Employee, Employee's family, representatives,
successors and assigns releases and forever discharges the Company and its
successors, assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees,
attorneys, agents and trustees or administrators of any Company plan from any
and all claims, demands, debts, damages, injuries, actions or rights of action
of any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, which Employee had, now has
or may have against the Company, its successors, assigns, subsidiaries,
affiliates, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents and trustees or
administrators of any Company plan, from the beginning of Employee's employment
to and including the date of this Agreement relating to or arising out of
Employee's employment with the Company or the termination of such employment
other than a claim with respect to a vested right Employee may have to receive
benefits under any plan maintained by the Company. Employee represents that
Employee has not filed any action, complaint, charge, grievance or arbitration
against the Company or any of its successors, assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates,
directors, officers, employees, attorneys, agents and trustees or administrators
of any Company plan.

            10. Employee covenants that neither Employee, nor any of Employee's
respective heirs, representatives, successors or assigns, will commence,
prosecute or cause to be commenced or prosecuted against the Company or any of
its successors, assigns, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers,
employees, attorneys, agents and trustees or administrators of any Company plan
any action or other proceeding based upon any claims, demands, causes of action,
obligations, damages or liabilities which are being released by this Agreement,
nor will Employee seek to challenge the validity of this Agreement, except that
this covenant not to sue does not affect Employee's future right to enforce
appropriately the terms of this Agreement in a court of competent jurisdiction.

            11. Employee acknowledges that (a) Employee has been advised to
consult with an attorney at Employee's own expense before executing this
Agreement and that Employee has been advised by an attorney or has knowingly
waived Employee's right to do so, (b) Employee has had a period of at least
twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement, (c) Employee has a
period of seven (7) days from the date that Employee signs this Agreement within
which to revoke it and that this Agreement will not become effective or
enforceable until the expiration of this seven (7) day revocation period, (d)
Employee fully understands the terms and contents of this Agreement and freely,
voluntarily, knowingly and without coercion enters into this Agreement, (e)
Employee is receiving greater consideration hereunder than Employee would
receive had Employee not signed this Agreement and that the consideration
hereunder is given in exchange for all of the provisions hereof and (f) the
waiver or release by Employee of rights or claims Employee may have under Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers
Benefit Protection Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Act (all as amended) and/or any other local, state or federal law dealing with
employment or the termination thereof is knowing and voluntary and, accordingly,
that it shall be a breach of this Agreement to institute any action or to
recover any damages that would be in conflict with or contrary to this

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   12
acknowledgment or the releases Employee has granted hereunder. Employee
understands and agrees that the Company's payment of money and other benefits to
Employee and Employee's signing of this Agreement does not in any way indicate
that Employee has any viable claims against the Company or that the Company
admits any liability whatsoever.

            12. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
and all prior negotiations or representations are merged herein. It shall be
binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives but neither this
Agreement nor any rights hereunder shall be assignable by Employee without the
Company's written consent. In addition, this Agreement supersedes any prior
employment or compensation agreement, whether written, oral or implied in law or
implied in fact between Employee and the Company, other than those contracts and
agreements excepted from the application of section 5.7 of the Plan pursuant to
the terms of such section, which prior agreements are hereby terminated.

            13. If for any reason any one or more of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be held or deemed to be inoperative, unenforceable or invalid by
a court of competent jurisdiction, such circumstances shall not have the effect
of rendering such provision invalid in any other case or rendering any other
provisions of this Agreement inoperative, unenforceable or invalid.

            14. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New Jersey, except to the extent superseded by applicable federal
law.

            15.   This Agreement shall terminate in its entirety any
Change in Control Agreement between the Company and Employee.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employee and The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation,
by its duly authorized agent, have hereunder executed this Agreement.

Dated:

                                              --------------------------------
                                              Employee

                                              THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION

                                              --------------------------------
                                              Title:

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   13
                                                                        Appendix

                         Summary of Benefit Entitlements
                           Under The Dun & Bradstreet
                            Executive Transition Plan

<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
Employment with                              ______________________________
Company Since:

Effective Date                               ______________________________
of Eligible Termination:

Positions Terminated:                        ______________________________

Salary Continuation:                         $____ per week for 104  weeks

Welfare Benefit Continuation:                [LIST NAMES OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, LIFE
                                             PLANS UNDER WHICH EMPLOYEE COVERED]

Annual Bonus Payment:                        [X] 12 of the annual bonus
                                             otherwise payable to you at time of
                                             normal payment.

Long-Term Bonus Payments:                    [X]/[Y] of the long-term bonus
                                             otherwise payable to you for the
                                             _______ cycles at time of normal
                                             payment.

Executive Outplacement:                      As provided by the Company.
</TABLE>

Financial Planning/Counseling:

      THE DESCRIPTION OF BENEFITS CONTAINED IN THIS APPENDIX IS ONLY A SUMMARY
      AND IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLAN. REFER TO YOUR
      SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION FOR MORE DETAIL.
<PAGE>   14
                                   SCHEDULE A

            An Eligible Employee entitled to benefits hereunder shall, subject
to Section 2 of the Plan, receive the following:

            1.    Salary Continuation

            The Eligible Employee shall receive 104 weeks of Salary
continuation, provided, however, that for purposes of determining the Salary
continuation amount, in the event the Eligible Employee has incurred an Eligible
Termination other than by reason of unsatisfactory performance, "Salary" shall
include the Eligible Employee's guideline annual bonus opportunity under the
applicable Annual Incentive Plan (as defined in paragraph 3 hereof) for the year
of termination, payment of which will be prorated annually over a period equal
to the number of weeks of Salary continuation (the "Salary Continuation Period")
and made at the same time as other Salary continuation amounts. Salary
continuation hereunder shall be paid at the times the Eligible Employee's Salary
would have been paid if employment had not terminated, over the Salary
Continuation Period. In the event the Eligible Employee performs services for an
entity other than the Company or a Participating Company during the Salary
Continuation Period, such employee shall notify the Company on or prior to the
commencement thereof. For purposes of this Schedule A, to "perform services"
shall mean employment or services as a full-time employee, consultant, owner,
partner, associate, agent or otherwise on behalf of any person, principal,
partnership, firm or corporation (other than the Company or a Participating
Company). All Salary continuation payments shall cease upon re-employment by the
Company or a Participating Company. For purposes of this paragraph 1, a
"Participating Company" shall mean the Company or any other affiliated entity
more than 50% of the voting interests of which are owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company and which has elected to participate in The Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation Career Transition Plan.

            2.    Welfare Benefit Continuation

            Medical, dental and life insurance benefits shall be provided
throughout the Salary Continuation Period at the levels in effect for the
Eligible Employee immediately prior to termination of employment but in no event
greater than the levels in effect for active employees generally during the
Salary Continuation Period, provided that the Eligible Employee shall pay the
employee portion of any required premium payments at the level in effect for
employees generally of the Company for such benefits. For purposes of
determining an Eligible Employee's entitlement to continuation coverage as
required by Title I, Subtitle B, Part 6 of ERISA, such employee's 18-month or
other period of coverage shall commence on his or her termination of employment.
<PAGE>   15
            3.    Annual Bonus Payment

            Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, a cash bonus for the
calendar year of termination may be paid in an amount equal to the actual bonus
which would have been payable to the Eligible Employee under the annual bonus
plan in which he or she participates (the "Annual Incentive Plan") had such
employee remained employed through the end of the year of such termination
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of full months of
employment during the calendar year of termination and the denominator of which
is 12. Such bonus shall be payable at the time otherwise payable under the
Annual Incentive Plan had employment not terminated. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no amount shall be paid under this paragraph in the event the
Eligible Employee incurred an Eligible Termination by reason of unsatisfactory
performance. The foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3 shall be appropriately
modified in the case of any plan not on a calendar year basis.

            4.    Long-Term Awards

            Cash payments shall be made to an Eligible Employee as set forth in
this paragraph in respect of "Units" (as such term is defined in the Key
Employees Performance Unit Plan for The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and
Subsidiaries (the "PUP")) otherwise payable under the PUP had the Eligible
Employee remained employed through the end of the applicable "Award Period" (as
defined in the PUP) in the event the Eligible Employee was employed by a
Participating Company for at least half the applicable Award Period. In such
event, cash payments shall be made to an Eligible Employee in amounts equal to
the value of the Units, as earned, otherwise payable under the PUP had the
employee remained employed through the end of the applicable Award Period
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of full months of
employment with a Participating Company from the beginning of the Award Period
to termination of employment, and the denominator of which is the number of full
months in the Award Period. Such payments shall be made at the times the Units
in respect of which such payments are made would otherwise be payable under the
PUP had employment not terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amount
shall be paid under this paragraph in the event the Eligible Employee incurred
an Eligible Termination by reason of unsatisfactory performance. Nothing
contained herein shall reduce any amounts otherwise required to be paid under
the PUP except to the extent such amounts are paid hereunder.

            5.    Death

            Upon the death of an Eligible Employee during the Salary
Continuation Period, the benefits described in paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of this
Schedule shall continue to be paid to his or her estate, as applicable, at the
time or times otherwise provided for herein.

            6.    Other Benefits

            The Eligible Employee shall be entitled to such executive
outplacement services during the Salary Continuation Period as shall be provided
by the Company.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   16
During the Salary continuation period, financial planning/counseling shall be
afforded to the Eligible Employee to the same extent afforded immediately prior
to termination of employment in the event the Eligible Employee incurred an
Eligible Termination other than by reason of unsatisfactory performance.

            7.    No Further Grants, Etc.

            Following an Eligible Employee's termination of employment, no
further grants, awards, contributions, accruals or continued participation
(except as otherwise provided for herein) shall be made to or on behalf of such
employee under any plan or program maintained by the Company including, but not
limited to, any Annual Incentive Plan, any PUP, or any qualified or nonqualified
retirement, profit sharing, stock option or restricted stock plan of the
Company. Any unvested or unexercised options, unvested restricted stock and all
other benefits under any plan or program maintained by the Company (including,
but not limited to, any Annual Incentive Plan, any Long-Term Plan or any
qualified or nonqualified retirement, profit sharing, stock option or restricted
stock plan) which are held or accrued by an Eligible Employee at the time of his
or her termination of employment, shall be treated in accordance with the terms
of such plans and programs under which such options, restricted stock or other
benefits were granted or accrued.

                                      -3-<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.34

                        THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION
                      COVERED EMPLOYEE CASH INCENTIVE PLAN

1.       PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

                  The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the
Company and its stockholders by providing incentives in the form of periodic
cash bonus awards to certain management employees of the Company and its
Affiliates, thereby motivating such employees to attain performance goals
articulated under the Plan.

2.       DEFINITIONS

                  The following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the
respective meanings set forth in this Section:

         (a)      Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
                  successor thereto.

         (b)      Affiliate: With respect to the Company, any entity directly or
                  indirectly controlling, controlled by , or under common
                  control with, the Company or any other entity designated by
                  the Board in which the Company or an Affiliate has an
                  interest.

         (c)      Award: A periodic cash bonus award granted pursuant to the
                  Plan.

         (d)      Beneficial Owner: As such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under
                  the Act (or any successor rule thereto).

         (e)      Board: The Board of Directors of the Company.

         (f)      Change in Control: The occurrence of any of the following
                  events:

                  (i) any "Person" as such term is used in Section 13(d) and
                  14(d) of the Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other
                  fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of
                  the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by
                  the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same
                  proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company),
                  becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of
                  securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the
                  combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
                  securities;

                  (ii) during any period of twenty-four months (not including
                  any period prior to the Effective Date), individuals who at
                  the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new
                  director (other than (A) a director nominated by a Person who
                  has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a
                  transaction described in Sections 2(e)(i), (iii) or (iv) of
                  the Plan, (B) a director nominated by any Person (including
                  the Company) who publicly announces an intention to take or to
                  consider taking actions (including, but not limited to, an
                  actual or threatened proxy contest) which if consummated would
                  constitute a Change in Control or (C) a director designated by
                  any Person who is the Beneficial Owner, directly or
                  indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 10% or
                  more of the combined voting power of the Company's securities)
                  whose election by the Board
<PAGE>   2
                                                                               2

                  or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was
                  approved in advance by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of
                  the directors then still in office who either were directors
                  at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination
                  for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason
                  to constitute at least a majority thereof;

                  (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
                  consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other
                  than a merger or consolidation (A) which would result in the
                  voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
                  thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
                  outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of
                  the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting
                  power of the voting securities of the Company or such
                  surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
                  consolidation and (B) after which no Person would hold 20% or
                  more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
                  securities of the Company or such surviving entity; or

                  (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of
                  complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the
                  sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all
                  of the Company's assets.

         (g)      Code: The internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
                  successor thereto.

         (h)      Committee: The Compensation and Benefits Committee of the
                  Board, or any successor thereto or any other committee
                  designated by the Board to assume the obligations of the
                  Committee hereunder.

         (i)      Company: The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation.

         (j)      Covered Employee: An employee who is, or who is anticipated to
                  become, a covered employee, as such term is defined in Section
                  162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto).

         (k)      Effective Date: The date on which the Plan takes effect, as
                  defined pursuant to Section 13 of the Plan.

         (l)      Participant: A Covered Employee of the Company or any of its
                  Affiliates who is selected by the Committee to participate in
                  the Plan pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.

         (m)      Performance Period: The calendar year or any other period that
                  the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine.

         (n)      Person: As such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or
                  14(d) of the Act or any successor sections thereto.

         (o)      Plan: The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation Covered Employee Cash
                  Incentive Plan.
<PAGE>   3
                                                                               3

         (p)      Shares: Shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per Share, of
                  the Company.

         (q)      Subsidiary: A subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section
                  424(f) of the Code (or any successor section thereto).

3.       ADMINISTRATION

                  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee or such other
persons designated by the Board. The Committee may delegate its duties and
powers in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof consisting solely of at
least two-individuals who are each "non-employee directors" within the meaning
of Rule 16b-3 of the Act (or any successor rule thereto) and "outside directors"
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section
thereto). The Committee shall have the authority to select the Covered Employees
to be granted Awards under the Plan, to determine the size and terms of an Award
(subject to the limitations imposed on Awards in Section 5 below), to modify the
terms of any Award that has been granted (except for any modification that would
increase the amount of the Award), to determine the time when Awards will be
made and the Performance Period to which they relate, to establish performance
objectives in respect of such Performance Periods and to certify that such
performance objectives were attained; provided, however, that any such action
shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the
Code. The Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and
rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to make any other
determinations that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of
the Plan; provided, however, that any action permitted to be taken by the
Committee may be taken by the Board, in its discretion. The Committee may
correct any defect or omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan in the
manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable. Any
decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of the Plan,
as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall
be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned. Determinations made
by the Committee under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made selectively
among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. The
Committee shall have the right to deduct from any payment made under the Plan
any federal, state, local or foreign income or other taxes required by law to be
withheld with respect to such payment. To the extent consistent with the
applicable provisions of Sections 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may delegate
to one or more employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries the authority
to take actions on its behalf pursuant to the Plan.

4.       ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

                  The Committee shall designate those persons who shall be
Participants for each Performance Period. Participants shall be selected from
among the Covered Employees of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries who are
in a position to have a material impact on the results of the operations of the
Company or of one or more of its Subsidiaries.

5.       AWARDS

         (a) Performance Goals. A Participant's Award shall be determined based
on the attainment of written performance goals approved by the Committee for a
Performance Period established by the Committee (i) while the outcome for the
Performance Period is substantially
<PAGE>   4
                                                                               4

uncertain and (ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the
Performance Period to which the performance goal relates or, if less than 90
days, the number of days which is equal to 25 percent of the relevant
Performance Period. The performance goals, which must be objective, shall be
based upon one or more or the following criteria: (i) earnings before or after
taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization); (ii) net income; (iii) operating income; (iv) earnings per Share;
(v) book value per Share; (vi) return on stockholders' equity; (vii) expense
management (viii) return on investment before or after the cost of capital; (iv)
improvements in capital structure; (x) profitability of an identifiable business
unit or product; (xi) maintenance or improvement of profit margins (xii) stock
price; (xiii) market share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash
flow; (xvii) working capital; (xviii) changes in net assets (whether or not
multiplied by a constant percentage intended to represent the cost of capital)
and (xix) return on assets. The foregoing criteria may relate to the Company,
one or more of its Subsidiaries or one or more of its divisions, units,
partnerships, joint ventures or minority investments, product lines or products
or any combination of the foregoing, and may be applied on an absolute basis
and/or be relative to one or more peer group companies of indices, or any
combination thereof, all as the Committee shall determine. In addition, to the
degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section
thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without regard to
extraordinary items or accounting changes. The maximum amount of an Award to any
Participant with respect to a fiscal year of the Company shall be $3,000,000.

         (b) Payment. The Committee shall determine whether, with respect to a
Performance Period, the applicable performance goals have been met with respect
to a given Participant and, if they have, to so certify and ascertain the amount
of the applicable Award. No Awards will be paid for such Performance Period
until such certification is made by the Committee. The amount of the Award
actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount determined by
the applicable performance goal formula (including zero), at the discretion of
the Committee. The amount of the Award determined by the Committee for a
Performance Period shall be paid to the Participant at such time as determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of such Performance
Period.

         (c) Compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code. The provisions of this
Section 5 shall be administered and interpreted in accordance with Section
162(m) of the Code to ensure the deductibility by the Company or its
Subsidiaries of the payment of Awards; provided, however, that the Committee
may, in its sole discretion, administer the Plan in violation of Section 162(m)
of the Code.

         (d) Termination of Employment. If a Participant dies, retires, is
assigned to a different position, is granted a leave of absence, or if the
Participant's employment is otherwise terminated (except with cause by the
Company, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) during a
Performance Period (other than a Performance Period in which a Change in Control
occurs), a pro rata share of the Participant's award based on the period of
actual participation shall be paid to the Participant after the end of the
Performance Period if it would have become earned and payable had the
Participant's employment status not changed; provided, however, that the amount
of the Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount
determined by the applicable performance goal formula (including zero), at the
discretion of the Committee.
<PAGE>   5
                                                                               5

6.       AMENDMENTS OR TERMINATION

                  The Board or the Committee may amend, alter or discontinue the
Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would
diminish any of the rights under any Award theretofore granted to a Participant
under the Plan without such Participant's consent; provided, however, that the
Board of the Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as it deems necessary
to permit the granting of Awards meeting the requirements of the Code or other
applicable laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Board or
the Committee may not amend, alter or discontinue the provisions relating to
Section 10(b) of the Plan after the occurrence of a Change in Control.

7.       NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT

                  Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be
construed as giving any Participant or other person any right to continue to be
employed by or perform services for the Company or any Subsidiary, and the right
to terminate the employment of or performance of services by any Participant at
any time and for any reason is specifically reserved to the Company and its
Subsidiaries.

8.       NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

                  An award shall not be transferable or assignable by the
Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

9.       REDUCTION OF AWARDS

                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the
Committee, in its sole discretion (but subject to applicable law), may reduce
any amounts payable to any Participant hereunder in order to satisfy any
liabilities owed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by the Participant.

10.      ADJUSTMENTS UPON CERTAIN EVENTS

         (a) Generally. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares by
reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of Shares or other corporate
exchange, or any distribution to stockholders of Shares other than regular cash
dividends or any similar transaction to the foregoing, the Committee in its sole
discretion and without liability to any person may make such substitution or
adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable, as to any affected terms of
outstanding Awards.

         (b) Change in Control. In the event that (i) a Participant's employment
is actually or constructively terminated during a given Performance Period (the
"Affected Performance Period") and (ii) a Change in Control shall have occurred
within the 365 days immediately preceding the date of such termination, then
such Participant shall receive, promptly after the date of such termination, an
Award for the Affected Performance Period as if the performance goals for such
Performance Period had been achieved at 100%.
<PAGE>   6
                                                                               6

11.      MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

                  The Company is the sponsor and legal obligor under the Plan
and shall make all payments hereunder, other than any payments to be made by any
of the Subsidiaries (in which case payment shall be made by such Subsidiary, as
appropriate). The Company shall not be required to establish any special or
separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to ensure the payment
of any amounts under the Plan, and the Participants' rights to the payment
hereunder shall be no greater than the rights of the Company's (or Subsidiary's)
unsecured creditors. All expenses involved in administering the Plan shall be
borne by the Company.

12.      CHOICE OF LAW

                  The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be
performed in the State of Delaware.

13.      EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAN

                  The Plan shall be effective as of October 18, 2000.

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