I guess it's a bit like having some 'clout' in old fashioned northern terminology.

Think of something along the lines of clout crossed with a bit of 'old school tie', 'old boys' network' and 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours', connections, networks, knowing someone in a position of power who can either make something happen or make something go away.

In China the equivalent is known as guanxi so I know the concept well.