Kone (コネ): from the English word connection. A personal tie that helps get things done.
Tsute (伝手): a means of passing word to someone far away, or a go-between. Also a lead toward what one wants, a personal connection.
Kao (顔): face. The Daijisen dictionary also gives one’s standing and honor in society, with the example kao o tsubusareru, to have one’s face crushed.