Networking is the #1 unwritten rule for success. Kicking that up into high gear to get personal? That's connectworking The great irony in this hyper-connected world is that although we have more ways than ever to communicate, we are craving personal connection Making personal connections (whether you're working across divisions, smashing glass ceilings, addressing your entire target market or building a business) in a digital age is hard. Differentiating personal, company and product brands can be challenging. The people who can talk to, communicate and connect with others are the ones who will succeed. Yet according to a Harvard Business Review research report, an astounding 77 percent of the women surveyed believe that hard work and long hours, not connections (which they view with disdain as too sales-y), will secure their advancement. Ratcheting up our outreach efforts can bring us role models. Access to specific advice and diverse resources. An audience on whom to test our ideas. Mentors and sponsors. Investors. Solid relationships with partners, co-workers, vendors and customers. It all circles back to connectworking. What are you committed to? Go and make it happen "