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Dinners That Count; The Modern Day Junto Club “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin These days, if I’m in NYC or heading to a conference, I love nothing more than breaking bread with an incredible bunch. More real relationships have bloomed from these dinners than I can imagine. A young Ben Franklin was on to this idea three hundred years ago. When Franklin was just 21, he started The Junto Club https://lnkd.in/emsQUZvS , a discussion and mutual-improvement group. He brought together like-minded tradesmen and artisans with the purpose of fostering debate, building community service, and promoting self-improvement among its members. Basically, it was an excuse to hang out with friends and people he liked and respected. The Junto Club’s guiding principles centered around knowledge-sharing, ethical conduct, and civic responsibility. Members discussed moral, political, philosophical, and scientific topics. Franklin introduced the group to a set of questions meant to provoke thoughtful conversation, encourage self-reflection, and promote constructive discourse. These questions addressed personal development, social issues, and ways to benefit the community. Three notable developments that are attributed to the Junto Club are the creation of America’s first public library, the birth of the volunteer fire department, and establishing The University of Pennsylvania. I have to say, our dinners have yet to hit Franklin’s moral high ground. But I know friendships have formed, businesses have been built, guidance shared, and many stories have been told, and we’ve had a lot of fun. The judges of The Wealth Management Awards https://lnkd.in/eFSnvz-y have a tradition of seeking out Italian restaurants when we meet annually to review the award candidates. This group has evolved into The Chicken Parm Club. https://lnkd.in/exsKeRpb As we kick off 2025, I’m organizing Junto Dinners. E-mails and Zoom calls are great, but don’t provide the valuable personal connection necessary to build and foster relationships. They also tend to reduce the chances of ending up in a karaoke bar. The Hunt & Fish Club https://www.hfcnyc.com/ is a favorite of the financial media crowd. There have been more than a few “Junto-like” dinners there. Tom Hendrickson (ETFdb.com) and I agreed to merge our businesses one night in late 2018 after a long steak dinner. My goal is to have at least one “Junto Dinner” a quarter in New York City. Stay tuned for updates. Bangers only. https://lnkd.in/eZ3pqnTU

Twin Cities, where you at? This convening promises deep learning, organizational analysis, and a reminder that you are not alone in the journey to transform our economy through cooperation. All cooperators are welcome!

???? Easter is arriving soon! ???? For main street businesses, councils, and associations, Easter is more than just chocolate eggs—it's an opportunity to activate your precinct, boost foot traffic, and connect with your community. From themed events to family-friendly activities and special promotions, there are so many ways to create meaningful experiences and draw people to your main street. Start planning now to make the most of this holiday! Whether it's an Easter egg hunt, artisan markets, outdoor dining, or showcasing local businesses, the possibilities are endless. ?? What’s your Easter plan for your main street? Share your ideas or tag your favourite precinct in the comments! #Easter #MainStreet #Precincts #Community #Holidays #Business #Council

This week the topic of conversation - at least to start off with - will be the notion that "behind every great customer experience is a great employee experience." As in the backstage. Is it true that the tools and?services behind the scenes are just as fundamental to a customers’ experience as the front of house user interface? If so, what are the challenges and how do we overcome them? #internalservicedesign #servicedesign

One of the remarkable things I have the opportunity to do is coordinate activities for the BMW Car Club of America in Central North Carolina. Not surprisingly, many of our events are purely designed to be fun for club members. And then there was today, when we enjoyed a truly special day as we dedicated a morning to working at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.?As noted on their website, this organization has a truly remarkable mission: Among the largest anti-hunger organizations in the United States, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina works every day to provide food to people in need while advancing long-term solutions to end hunger in our communities.?For more than 40 years, the Food Bank and our Branch locations have served as the central hub of a network that has grown to 700+ partner programs across a 34-county region — including free food markets, pantries, meal sites, and a host of initiatives serving children, adults and seniors. Together, we’re working to overcome hunger and create an environment where everyone in North Carolina can thrive. The work really did make time fly, and I know we all had both fun and a sense of satisfaction from a “job well done”.?At the end, the staff shared that we had worked our way through 14,700 pounds of food … which translates into 12,300 meals for people in need in our area.?It was concurrently elating to be able to do this and sobering that the need is so great. That paradox, no doubt, contributed to the rather quiet ride across town to our own lunch.?We are now planning to make this a quarterly undertaking. The wall at the Food Bank center includes a terrific Lewis Carroll quote which is worth remembering: “One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others”. Words to live by, for sure. A special thanks to Kellie L. Bradley for organizing the event.

Seattle is known for its headquarters, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Central District, or the CD, is not as well known but economically and culturally just as important. #BlackBusiness #Seattle #CD

Advocate for Local Businesses ??? When someone comes to you asking for recommendations about… Holiday gifts? Tell them to visit local shops. Special holiday meals? Encourage them to enjoy local restaurants. Fun activities to do with the family? Point them towards local sites. This holiday season, we’re challenging you to Keep It Local and support greater Arlington businesses. We’ll be sharing different ways you can show your support. Help us by sharing our posts and spreading the word. View the Keep It Local catalog at keepitarlington.com. #TogetherWeSucceed #ChamberofCommerce #ArlingtonTX #KeepItLocalArlington #SmallBusinesses #SupportSmallBusinesses

MEET RORY… ?? As the founder of Bee, Rory Laffan has been leading the way for over 20 years. The friendliest man in the industry, he has built great, genuine relationships with both people and brands. Rory is obsessed with food and even launched his own pizza business, Fired Up, which operates at some of the best summer festivals in the UK. Understanding the challenges of running a business firsthand, Rory is dedicated to easing his clients' lives with smart introductions and long-lasting connections. Rory has recently set up Punt & Dine - an extravaganza of a day in Cambridge primarily for people within hospitality. Join him on Wednesday 10th July for a slap up meal at Jesus College and a punt down the River Cam. Proceeds go to charities that mean a lot to Rory: Only A Pavement Away , Wintercomfort for the Homeless and Arthur Rank Hospice. DM us to get your tickets. In the meantime, here are Rory’s top tips for London: ? ?? Favourite restaurant? This is a tough one because I have a few favourites, but I absolutely LOVE Manteca. It's always buzzing, the food is delicious, and you don’t need to spend a lot to have a great meal. Recently, I was also blown away by the flavours at Kolae. ?? Favourite pub? Okay, so it's not exactly a pub, but it has that vibe and is my go-to spot for an after-work beer before I jump on the train home: The Double Standard next to our office in Kings Cross. ?? Place you're desperate to try? There are so many, but if I had to choose one, it would be The Ledbury. I've only ever heard amazing things about it, and I would love to experience it myself. Also, Crisp Pizza—I'm obsessed with pizza, and these guys are killing it. ?? What opening are you most excited about in London? I really want to try Roe because some of their dishes look incredibly clever. Also, I’m excited for when my friend Liam opens Marceline in Canary Wharf. I know how much love is going into everything, so I can't wait to see it and get down there. #beehospitality #recruitment #London #hospitality

Restaurant tip to have MORE Building human connections and engaging with your community is key to running a successful restaurant. These relationships create a sense of belonging for customers, turning one-time diners into loyal regulars. When people feel like they’re part of your story, they’ll keep coming back. Community involvement also increases your reputation and draws in new guests through word-of-mouth. Follow for the best solutions to scale your restaurant business.

A pub is rarely just a pub. It’s a microcosm of its time—a reflection of the people, the place, and the culture it serves. Take BrewDog Waterloo. It’s not your traditional pub; it’s something else entirely. A beer library. A co-working space. A mini-dog park, for goodness’ sake. It’s trying to reimagine what a pub can be. And yet, while the design and concept feel forward-thinking, the heart of the place still beats with something timeless: people coming together, sharing stories, and connecting over a drink. It makes me think—what do we hold onto, and what do we change? How do we adapt to shifting expectations while keeping the soul of what we do intact? Because whether it’s landlords or lawyers, the challenge isn’t just about embracing change. It’s about doing so in a way that feels authentic, purposeful, and human. Cheers to that.