Greg Smrz, lease relationship manager at Northshore Bank, formed a Milwaukee Business Book Club earlier this year.
"I noticed at many seminars the common theme of many people walking out with great ideas, but never implementing them," Smrz said. "One of our goals is to have the members try to implement any aspect of the book into their daily life and report back to the group on it, positive or negative."
The group meets once a month to review and discuss popular business books over lunch.
"In addition to the self-development that occurs through reading, the group offers the additional benefit of networking with a consistent group of regular members," Smrz said.
According to Smrz, the group members have gotten to know each other and some leads and referrals are beginning to happen as a result of the networking.
"The group represents a diverse segment of the business community," Smrz said. "And it gives us an opportunity to constantly feed the mind. In our busy lives, it is easy to neglect that, and being a part of this group helps bring the discipline back."
The Milwaukee Business Book Club LinkedIn group has a schedule of meeting dates as well as the books the group is reading until January.
The group has already read "Harmonic Wealth," "The Go-Giver" and "The Magic of Thinking Big." Upcoming books include "Selling the Invisible" and "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable."
The group currently meets on the second Thursday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional groups will form as member numbers increase. Those groups will meet at a different time and location, but will use the same book list as the original group, Smrz said.
Those interested in more information can join the LinkedIn group Milwaukee Business Book Club or contact Greg Smrz at gsmrz@northshorebank.com.
