language, prepare what you have to say in advance of any meeting so that you're sure of the words coming out of your mouth. And in a world where most communication is done via email, you will get bonus points (or at least no points deducted) if your emails are spell-checked and grammar-proofed -- no matter how casual the communication. A person who communicates sloppily will be perceived as someone with poor attention to detail. 5. Find a mentor or community "You always hear of those good ol' boys' clubs," said Mandell. "But you never hear about any good ol' girls' clubs." It is crucial to actively seek out women with whom to connect in your industry. It is easy to get wrapped up in seeing another woman as a threat, but that will only keep both of you down. "Older women need to look at younger women as allies, colleagues, equals," Mandell said. "And younger women need to look toward older women as leaders, mentors and gurus." If you're in an office, try to pull the same "boys' club" moves that the men do. Invite a female colleague to play tennis or lunch. Or you can go an even more basic route. "A lot gets done at the urinal," said Theresa Zagnoli, CEO of the consulting firm ZMF. "Now I always talk to my women colleagues in the bathroom just so the men know they have been left out. When I get back in the meeting room I will