What is E.A.R.N.?
E.A.R.N. referral groups consist of owners and sales professionals from non-competitive industries. The groups provide its members with the chance to learn from experts, to be part of a support community of like-minded peers, to forge partnerships, and — especially if you’re a B2B business — find and share leads.
What are the benefits of being in a leads group?
A referral group is a valuable resource to expand your knowledge, learn from the success of others, attain new clients and tell others about your business. Following are the core benefits of our E.A.R.N. groups:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Perfect your sales presentations, speaking skills, marketing plans, selling techniques and many other skills. By capitalizing on the varied abilities of your peers you will become more polished and greater able to achieve results.
Strategic Partnerships
Focus on uncovering and identifying your power partners. History has proven this process to be a quick and meaningful way to build relationships. Members of the group will help you discover and meet individuals with similar customers, needs and values.
Social Capital
Form business friendships that will last for years.
Referrals
Engage in giving and receiving business. As the most sought-after benefit of each referral group, receiving referrals cannot be rushed. Meaningful referrals are rarely exchanged without an investment in professional development and personal capital, which is why joining a referral group will place you on a better path to success.
What members say about E.A.R.N. Groups
“I value the friendships I have made through E.A.R.N. and the fact that we can sit down in that casual environment and actually help each other. I value the networking and all the information that I can receive when I reach out for help. The Chamber has been one of the most informational and best resources I could have ever asked for and the E.A.R.N. group is the icing on the cake.”
Tina Green
Errand Girl Courier Service
“As a salesperson, the E.A.R.N. group helped me gained knowledge about the Elgin community and its business owners. The E.A.R.N. group is literally my extended sales force. It’s good to have extra people in my network to help me promote our business.”
Janice O’Dell
Comfort Inn & Suites
“Not only has the E.A.R.N. group expanded my professional network, they have shared useful knowledge through our regular ‘craft talks,’ as well as casual conversation over pancakes and coffee. In this group I’ve found trusted partners whom I support and am proud to refer to others, and my business has secured new clients and enjoyed increased awareness, thanks to their recommendations. Most importantly, I have discovered a group of stellar colleagues whom I look forward to laughing and swapping stories with every other Thursday. I am confident that my first few years as a business owner were better equipped, less lonely and more fun because of their moral support and rich, collective experience.”
Amanda Garcia
ColorWord Creative Inc.
“It’s difficult to make time for professional development when you’re focused on making connections with fellow business professionals. The Elgin Area Chamber’s E.A.R.N. groups made it easy for me to accomplish both.”
Mike Storey
Beckatt Solutions