CONTENTS
Help Fast Company Set Its Agenda
Last week you received an introductory email from Fast Company' s new editor in chief, John A. Byrne. In it, he described some of the work he' s been doing since leaving Business Week -- and some of his thinking about the future of the Company of Friends, Fast Company' s readers network.
As we enter this new stage in Fast Company' s evolution, we' re looking forward to further integrating and involving the CoF in the editorial development of the magazine. As the first step in that process, we' ve crafted a CoF-specific survey to get your input on the state of the magazine -- and where you think it could and should go. What works well for you? What do you think could be improved?
Since we announced the survey, response from CoF members has been amazing. To date, we' ve received almost 600 responses -- that' s a stronger response than we' ve ever gotten to any Fast Company Web survey or poll. And your feedback and ideas are offering a lot of valuable input and insight on a wide range of topics, including our subscription fulfillment service, new story ideas, and how you use the magazine in your professional and personal lives.
If you haven' t already, please take a few minutes and respond to the survey by the end of Sunday, June 8. Your input will help us better gauge the connection between the magazine and the readers' network -- and it' ll help us think through the changes we make to the magazine in the months and issues to come. Your input will be extremely appreciated.
In fact, 10 CoF survey respondents will be randomly selected as winners of your choice of a Company of Friends T-shirt or a copy of Mike Abrashoff' s book "It' s Your Ship." To be included in that drawing, make sure you complete the survey by the end of Sunday, June 8.
Help us plan the next phase in Fast Company' s development. Thank you in advance!
How to Connect with CoF Members
CoF members frequently ask about the meaning of global CoF coordinator Heath Row' s title: Social Capitalist. For the most part, Heath' s title stems from Robert Putnam and other people' s work researching social capital -- the value of communities and connections between people within organizations. Heath' s role at Fast Company and in the CoF is to increase the value of the connections people make within the Fast Company landscape.
The true value of the CoF can be found in its members and their relationships. Because the CoF is largely what you make it, the contributions members make will only increase the value of the connections and collaborations in which they might get involved as a result. How can you get more involved?
EMAIL YOUR COF' S MAILING LIST
Using the Web discussion tool or the group email address on your respective CoF' s Web pages, consider sending a message to other members in your local area or special interest group. Catch up on some of the past discussion to get a sense of how members interact with each other and then step in to introduce yourself, share useful tools and resources, comment on business community- or industry-related news and current events, or ask a question. If you' d like to develop an idea, learn a skill, or solve a problem, chances are that other members can help. (Please note that to use the CoF mailing lists, you need to use the email addresses you have included in your CoF profile.)
SEARCH FOR LIKE-MINDED BUSINESS LEADERS
Using the Find Members tab on the CoF Web, you can search your local CoF or SIG -- or the entire readers network -- based on a wide range of options. CoF members can search for others based on name, company, location, and industry. And you can browse the member lists for the CoF groups you' re involved in to see who else is participating.
TRAVEL IN FAST COMPANY
Do you travel regularly as part of your work? Why not contact CoF members and groups in the places you travel to frequently? You might be able to make some solid business connections in other parts of the world -- and you may be able to get involved in CoF activities and events while you' re away from home. The Calendar tab on the CoF will show you all of the upcoming CoF events -- network-wide and around the world.
Connect. Communicate. Collaborate. Reach out to the Company of Friends.
Upcoming CoF Events
Every month, as featured in Fast Company magazine, 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, Fast Company offers a global, public calendar. This network-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!
New CoF Coordinators
We' d like to recognize and welcome the newest CoF groups, coordinators, and planning team members since our last CoF-wide email.
New CoF groups:
If you' re interested in starting a CoF group in your area, refer to the CoF Handbook and the Rough Guide to CoF Coordination and contact Heath at heath@fastcompany.com to discuss next steps.
New coordinators:
If you' d like more information about volunteer CoF leadership opportunities, please contact your local coordinator.
Special CoF Discount for FC Subscriptions
As special thanks for your involvement in the Company of Friends -- and for your ongoing support -- Fast Company offers a special subscription discount for CoF members.
As a member of the CoF living or working in the United States, you can 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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