For most it probably seemed like a pretty insignificant coincidence (if anyone even noticed). For me it was proof positive of the remarkable influence for good included in human consciousness.

I read Forbes Woman pretty regularly because I find many great writers there covering issues of interest to business women. I even aspire to write there myself, but I have a dirty little secret to share about this valuable online publication and many others who cater to professional women. The secret is that I started InPower Women in large part as a reaction against them, because I believe the time for marketing to professional women based on fashion is over.

How do you measure time? By the number of things you’ve accomplished? Appointment to appointment? Meeting to meeting? Action item to action item? In box to out box? Or are you old school and prefer to follow those twelve circular digits?

“Networking” is a word I often see accompanied by a slump of the shoulders, a groan or a roll of the eyes – in both women and men. We know it’s critical to our business and career success, but so often when we think “networking” we think stiff smiles, exposing ourselves to rejection from strangers and time wasted when we could be vegging after a hard days’ work. Because like it or not, when you engage in it intentionally - as an investment in your career, your business and your efforts to change the world - it is work.