The Focus Group

Tonight I held my first focus group with the intention of getting ideas for my new web-site and e-newsletter. Here's how it went . . . .

7:00 p.m. - Focus Group participants arrive.
7:05 p.m. - First glass of wine is poured and participants chat about their children, dogs and jobs. Secretly check out each other's outfits and haircuts.
7:15 p.m. - Participants demurely nibble on cocktail food and politely answer questions about new web-site and e-newsletter.
7:30 p.m. - Second glass of wine is poured.
7:45 p.m. - Participants offer opinions that start with "You know what I can't stand?"
8:00 p.m. - Noise level begins to swell.
8:15 p.m. - Participants are throwing back the peanuts and cocktail weenies. Participants are pouring their own wine.
8:30 p.m. - Husband asks moderator (me) and participants to keep it down a little. We laugh louder.
9:00 p.m. - Moderator has given up all hope of getting more data from participants. Priorities have shifted to opening more wine.
9:30 p.m. - Participants go home, assuring each other that this was the best time they've ever had and promising to participate in more focus groups.