Fast Company recently unveiled a new and improved set of online community tools for the Company of Friends. We've added an overlay of industry- and interest-specific discussion groups to augment the nearly 140 local CoF groups already meeting face to face and online around the world.
We've also enabled CoF members to associate with more than one CoF at a time to better facilitate cross-pollination and collaboration between groups. And we'll combine the CoF's mailing list and Web discussion features so you can interact with other members consistently via email, frequent email digests -- or on the Web.
In conjunction with the launch of the new tools, we ask current CoF members to confirm their interest and involvement in Fast Company's readers' network.
With almost 42,000 members in the network, we need a better sense of how many members are truly active -- and who those active members are. You should have already received more information about this membership confirmation process via email.
There's a new standard of customer loyalty: customer evangelism. It?s when customers feel so strongly about an organization and its products and services that they become part of its volunteer sales force. Jackie Huba and Ben McConnell's new book "Creating Customer Evangelists: How Loyal Customers Become a Volunteer Sales Force" is the result of a year-long research project into companies that have created legions of passionate advocates, such as Krispy Kreme, Southwest Airlines, the Dallas Mavericks, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and others. Join Fast Company, Huba, and McConnell for an online reading group and discussion of the tips, tactics and strategies behind customer evangelism between now and Feb. 7. The discussion is already underway!
Eight times over the past five years, Fast Company magazine has brought together a unique group of leaders to address and seek solutions for the pressing business issues of the moment. We call these events RealTime, and the next RealTime event will be held June 1-3 in Miami, Florida.
Because the Company of Friends is an important part of the Fast Company community, we'd like to invite you to join us at this RealTime, where we will focus on leadership, innovation, and competition.
As a member of the CoF, you can take advantage of a special CoF-only offer. The first 25 CoF members to register for RealTime Miami will receive a special promotional rate of $1,000. (That's more than 40% off of the regular conference price of $1,750!) We are opening registration to CoF before we open it to the general public, so take advantage of this special offer now to be sure to reserve your spot.
Join us for RealTime. Not only will you experience a business event like no other, you will be able to attend CoF invitation-only sessions with other CoF members from around the world -- including a special CoF-only breakfast.
Mark your calendars for June 1-3 and reserve your place now by emailing Rich Whelan at realtime@fastcompany.com or calling 800.665.6547.
See you in Miami!
Every month, members and local groups of the Company of Friends gather online and in person for discussions, workshops, and other events.
To help you learn more about -- and get involved in -- some of the best and brightest CoF events organized by local groups every month, we've developed a global, public monthly calendar. This month-at-a-glance calendar is accessible by non-members, as well as CoF members.
Use this global calendar as you travel on business. Share it with friends who don't belong to the network.
CoF gatherings are a great way to meet other FC readers and forward-thinking business leaders in your area. We hope to see you at a CoF event soon!
If you're interested in starting a CoF group in your area, check out the CoF Handbook and FC's Rough Guide to CoF Coordination.
We'd like to recognize and welcome the newest CoF coordinators and planning team members since our last CoF-wide email.
New coordinators:
If you'd like more information about volunteer CoF leadership opportunities, please contact your local coordinator.
As special thanks for your involvement in the Company of Friends -- and for your ongoing support -- Fast Company is offering a special subscription discount for CoF members.
If you're a member of the CoF living or working in the United States, you can now subscribe to Fast Company for $10.50 a year -- more than 80% off the cover price! (For Canadian subscribers, we need to add $17 to cover postage and GST.)
If you live outside of North America, the subscription price is $56 -- $30 less than our previous international rate.
Subscribe today!
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