Recently I joined “Fridays and Five,” a weekly get together of a local group of business professionals. I am glad I joined because this is not your typical chat-rub-elbows-grip-and-grin crowd.
As individuals and business professionals, members truly embody the essence of “social” networking. And they are literal, human examples of social marketing…as members of the group naturally promote each other and help each other.
For example, each week two drawings are held (using collected business cards):
1. Winner gets platform to talk about self and business. THEN has opportunity to throw a personal or business issue / problem / request on the table for the group. Group instantly crowdsources to address / resolve / respond. It’s a powerful representation and physical manifestation of life and business online in the Social Web.
2. The other drawing is for a “gift” that is donated by the venue benefitting from the Friday at Five business in that particular week.
Fridays at Five is the brilliant brainchild of marketing powerhouse Denise Rossetti of Rossetti Marketing. Thanks Denise! I am grateful and lucky to be a member of this group of extraordinary individuals. 
Is it time for a Fridays at Five group in your city?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting. I know of several organizations that operate similarly (Rotary Club, Business Networking International, etc.) but not with that grab bag, nor weekly.
Sounds like you can be inspired very quickly.
Ah. Perhaps I’ve been living outside of the big cities for too long? Not sure. But, yes, I was impressed and inspired.