# First Fridays discuss the year ahead – will you be there on the 2nd Jan or the 6th Feb? - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/29/first-fridays-discuss-year-ahead-will-you-be-there-2nd-jan-or-6th-feb/ - Published: 2008-12-29T13:26:43+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake As the old year staggers off deflated, to subside crunched in a heap, the New Year crawls forth to be heralded on Friday 2nd January in the Glass Room at The Hub, Kings Cross, 34b York Way, London from 2.00 to 5.00 by the First Friday crew. That is you and anyone else who feels like chatting to the IFC see: www.internationalfundraisingconsultancy. com The last First Friday was surprisingly well attended, and much thought was given to organisational branding. We all know that in 2009 discretionary income will be harder to attract, and that all important brand image must be right – we loved the book “I’m With the Brand” by Rob Walker, which shows how culture and marketing are merging. ## Advertisement You don’t agree? Come and discuss, but watch out next year as we think the three most important things for charities to concentrate on will be: 1. Developing a brand that resonates with the public. 2 . Increasing fundraising expenditure: to counter the recession and beat the competition, winning market share as others lower their aspirations. 3. Acquiring superb fundraising staff and top quality advice. The best will transform your organisation, the ordinary may let it down gently, and the poor will hasten its financial demise. So, see you at First Fridays at The Hub, Kings Cross: http://the-hub.net/places/kingscross.html * **[Many thanks Kate!](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/14/many-thanks-kate/)**( 14 January 2009) * **[So, where were you on the big night?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/21/so-where-were-you-big-night/)**( 21 January 2009) * **[Both the BBC and SKY broadcast in Israel – is this the reason for their appalling decision not to broadcast the DEC appeal?](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/27/both-bbc-and-sky-broadcast-israel-reason-their-appalling-decision-not-broadcast-dec-appeal/)**( 27 January 2009)