• Scott Kirsner takes us behind the scenes at the Merlin Center, a creative factory for the banking industry. What other industries could use a creative jump start? Hold a group brainstorming session to design what their 'Merlin Center' might look like. Think in terms of strategy and aesthetics.
• Take a look at the Web sites of the companies that the Merlin Center is helping to reinvent. Find the local Home Depot, Ikea, and Mars Music. What have these companies done to substantially change what we expect when we go shopping for hardware, furniture or music? Survey your cell for creative ideas to change the industry that members are in. Invite a manager from one of the above stores to talk about how they've changed their store's design, and to what end have they succeeded?
• Voice Over Internet Protocol appears to be gaining a following, at last. Discuss how Internet telephony will change your everyday use and expectations of communication. See if a VOIP company has offices in your town. Providers include Net2Phone,Go2Call, and VocalTec. Arrange for a representative from a VOIP company to come to your next meeting and set up a demonstration of Internet telephony. Try to analyze the differences (subtle as they may be) between a regular phone line and a VOIP. What might be VOIP's strengths (overseas calling, business, etc.)? Find a local company that uses VOIP for its business operations and invite a manager to discuss his or her experience with it so far.
• Finally, try to step back from the magazine for a moment and discuss the tragic events of September 11. The network of CoF groups showed a great deal of support to victims and those affected by the tragedy, especially the impressive hospitality shown by those who sheltered other CoF members who were stranded in foreign cities. Regardless of where your group is, the enormous business and human power of CoF can still contribute to the recovery effort. Encourage your members to think beyond the obvious ways to help. If you are in the New York or DC areas, call the FEMA branch of your area and ask where they could still use help. Groups across the country could begin organizing a holiday toy drive for the children of the deceased. Try teaming up with Toys for Tots special victims drive, or perhaps a more local charity. Collect money (through your group and through your members' offices) to donate to the families of deceased firefighters and police officers. Invite a child psychologist to your meeting to discuss the impact of tragedy on children, and then organize your group to volunteer at the children's psychological services ward at a local hospital. One area where Americans stepped up and contributed was giving blood. The recent surge in blood donations will likely not be enough to end what had been a nationwide blood shortage long before the September 11 attacks. Organize a trip to give blood, or see if a blood donation unit can be set up at your next meeting.

Daniel Richards contributed this month's Next Steps.

October 2001 Connexus | Flash Points | Next Steps

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