CONTENTS

• CoF Community News
• Resource Centers of Excellence
• Are You (Customer) Experienced?
• Books That Matter: FC Now Guest Host
• Member Discount: Wingate Inn

CoF Community News

Saving Grace | by Heath Row
Rules may be made to be broken, but promises aren't. The State of Grace Document upgrades the traditional contract for a more personal workplace.

Encounters in Thinking: IKEA | by Valeria Maltoni
Pernille Lopez on how the human side impacts business decisions

The Brand Conundrum | by Jonathan Priest
Thousands of companies seek access to a space in our minds. We work hard to keep them out. Those that stay out are weak brands and the ones that get in are strong brands. So what's the difference?

Building Bold Careers | by Peter Rees
Career coach -- and CoF member -- Ian Christie leads a group discussion on engagement, career evolution, and leadership styles.

Additional Company of Friends tools and recources are available on the CoF Web.

Resource Centers of Excellence

Late last week, Fast Company launched two new online resource centers focusing on leadership and innovation.

Blending new Web-only content, material from our archives, and additional tools and services -- including online discussions and polls -- they're designed to help Fast Company readers and CoF members learn what they need to know -- now.

In the weeks and months to come, we'll roll out additional resource centers. Keep your eyes on fastcompany.com!

The Leading Edge

Innovation Station

Are You (Customer) Experienced?

Fast Company's inaugural Customer Experience Awards will recognize and reward companies that create a rich customer experience, focus on consistently excellent customer service, and put customers first. You can help determine the award winners by voting for the companies that provide the best customer experiences.

Take the Customer Experience Awards survey today!

Books That Matter: FC Now Guest Host

Every month, Fast Company highlights a book about leadership and innovation, a business book that really matters -- the Fast Company Readers' Choice. But our team can't select the winning title without your input!

Help Fast Company choose the next Readers' Choice Award winner by voting for your favorite option online. We'll feature the winning title in a forthcoming issue of the magazine.

In addition, Fast Company regularly features authors of selected books as guest hosts of FC Now, Fast Company's staff blog. Starting this upcoming Monday, July 12, Gary Williams, co-author of July's featured title, "The 5 Paths to Persuasion: The Art of Selling Your Message," will expand on the book's exploration of archetypal leaders -- charismatics, thinkers, skeptics, followers, or controllers -- and how to work with them most successfully.

Member Discount: Wingate Inn

Fast Company and the Company of Friends are proud to announce a partnership with Wingate Inn, the award-winning hotel chain designed for the active business traveler. Each guest room features a dedicated work area complete with high-speed Internet access and additional tools. And with free telephone calls, faxing, printing, and a 24-hour self-service business center, Wingate is perfect for working while on the road.

As the preferred hotel of the Company of Friends, Wingate offers members the Best Available rate each time you stay at a Wingate Inn. Additionally, Wingate will make it facilities available to CoF groups around the world for discussions, events, and other activities.

Book your next stay today!

Wingate Inn: Built for Business

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