Entrepreneurs’ Organization 101

A crash course on a global network of leaders

If the title of this article caught your attention, it probably means you are an entrepreneur. At some point in life, you had an idea that you turned into a business. You know you are the driving force that gave birth to your new venture, you took on the risks involved in getting it off the ground. Every day you face the challenges and find resourceful solutions driven by the satisfaction of building something from the ground up hoping to make a difference. You may have started your journey alone, but if you really want to scale up your business there will come a time when you feel the need for meaningful support, peer-to-peer learning and connection to experts that provide a competitive edge. The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global non-profit community of successful, established, business owners that focus on helping you achieve your full potential in both business, and personal life through life-enhancing connections, shared experiences and collaborative learning.?

If by now you feel inspired to keep reading, chances are you are a leader and EO might be the tool you have been waiting for in order to enable your transformational growth. It is only natural that you need to know more about EO. So, let us get started.

How did it all start?

Thirty seven years ago, Verne Harnish and other 22 young, forward-thinking entrepreneurs started a network of like-minded peers committed to the idea that the path to leadership could be achieved though valuable connections that could unlock the full potential of entrepreneurs and enable a transformational growth in everyone involved.? From then on, EO ?has evolved into the world’s most influential entrepreneurial community, spreading over 83 countries while embracing more than 18.000 members in more than 222 chapters, being the world’s only peer-to-peer network exclusively for entrepreneurs.

How does EO focus on local connections?

EO has a global network of local chapters, intended to nurture a sense of community among local entrepreneurs, therefore allowing members to connect with like-minded peers that face similar challenges and opportunities. Each chapter has a board that is responsible for overseeing operations and designing a programme of events planned to promote valuable learning experiences and opportunities to engage with entrepreneurs in your community, whether is mentorship programmes guided by experienced members, or access to a peer-to-peer forum for confidential business and personal support.

Is there any chapter near me?

EO Portugal was established in 2017 and comprises resident entrepreneurs in Portugal. The 36 members are engaged in various sectors of activity that range from winery, to tech companies, trade or hospitality. EO Portugal is a flourishing chapter that holds a community of native and resident foreign entrepreneurs, thus profiting from a global vision of different backgrounds and cultures coming together into life-enhancing experiences of learning and growth.

What are the core values of EO?

Every chapter of EO is highly committed to the core principles of the community: the desire to move the world forward into a better future by connecting leaders globally while creating a sense of belonging, connection and growth opportunities through life-learning experiences. These values are reflected in four mottos.

“Trust and respect” – a community of peers where everyone is equal and unique; where you can share in a safe space and expect openness for different points of view.

“Thirst for learning” – forward-thinking leaders have an insatiable curiosity and burning need to grow in personal and professional life.

“Think big, be bold” – make a difference for your team, for your family, for your community and the world around you. Innovate, take educated risks and see opportunities in every challenge you meet.

“Together we grow” – an inclusive community that values diversity, where everyone is committed to each other’s growth and well-being and in doing so, every member develops deep and powerful connections with the peers.

Why is EO different from other peer advisory groups?

EO creates a customised experience that meets your interests and life goals, offering you a wide range of programmes to boost your professional and personal growth. Because balance matters, EO focuses on providing the resources and mentorship you need to achieve your full potential in your business and in your personal life.

By becoming a member, you will have access to the most valuable support, connect to high-achievers and experienced entrepreneurs as well as tailored programmes that meet your needs for learning.

In your local chapter you will find your most inner circle of peers, with whom you can regularly meet to solve each other’s challenges, exchange experiences and strategies or lend support.

EO provides a monthly meeting of a confidential peer group of 6-8 entrepreneurs from non-competing organizations who meet regularly to discuss their businesses, challenges, and personal lives. This is the much-appreciated Forum, a member-led, confidential, sharing programme that is often rated by EOers as the most invaluable benefit one takes from the organization.

The Forum experience is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for members to tell about their experiences, seek advice, share their most sensitive business and personal issues, offer and get guidance while learning from each other. Forums provide a natural setting for mentorship opportunities, not in the traditional sense in which someone acts as the mentor of the party, but in a spirit of sharing life and professional experiences with the rest of the participants. You will not find advice in a forum, but rather shared highlights and lowlights from where you can draw conclusions that will surely help you to refine your approach to business.

EO connects you to members around the world who share your professional and personal interests. You may choose to network with global industry groups or attend live and virtual events where you will find yourself connecting with like-minded peers who understand the challenges you face, or travel to all five continents to listen to world-class speakers, industry experts, and successful entrepreneurs. The Global Events are the best opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and develop new skills.

EO also gives you access resources such as to a worldwide online community, a platform for virtual connection between members, as well as a database through which you can find members based on specific interests.

And if you are a first-stage entrepreneur, starting a new business, the EO Accelerator Programme can be the right tool to empower you by offering in-depth mentorship, coaching, and resources to help you scale your businesses to the next level.

For more experienced business owners, the Executive Education Programmes are high-level programmes in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as the London Business School, Harvard University or Wharton.

How can I qualify to become a member?

Membership is by invitation only. This means that prospective members must first apply to their local chapter and then, after an interview, a member will sponsor your admittance.

Before applying, bear in mind that EO is a network that welcomes successful, established, business owners of every sector. So, it is a requirement that you are the owner, founder, or majority stakeholder of the business. Also, the criteria imply that your business must have a minimum annual revenue of US$1 million in the most recent fiscal year. Venture-backed companies can qualify if privately raised funds of at least US$2 million, or publicly raised funds of US$5 million.