It’s not about who you know. It’s how you know them.

The relationships you cultivate at EFBC will be unlike any other you’ll develop in business or in life. Our community knows where you’re coming from because they’ve been there. They’re still there,  and will continue to be at your side in a way few others can. As part of your membership, you’ll have the opportunity to connect in a smaller setting we call Forum to dive deeper into the issues that impact us all as business leaders, helping you find answers to challenges and providing you with support on each and every step of your journey.

How does it work?

Forum is the monthly small group meetings that are the heart of the EFBC. This is your safe, confidential space to talk as long as you need with everyone’s full attention and engagement. No side conversations, no cell phones, no judgments.

Each month, one member of the nine-person Forum presents a current issue they are facing in any aspect of his or her life. The Forum is there to listen, support and offer shared experiences. Following the presentation, the rest of the Forum shares updates from their professional and personal lives as a way to bond and build relationships among the group. Each meeting culminates with continued conversation over dinner.

The foundation of Forum is trust, mutual respect and equality (regardless of title or pedigree) which is established by Forum Protocols:

Clarifying questions are non-judgmental questions which come from a place of genuine curiosity. These questions introduce clarity around something that has been said and often lead to epiphanies and great insight.

Shared experiences are used in lieu of advice giving. One person’s answer isn’t your answer, so we instead share experiences – relevant mistakes or successes from life.

Appreciation is a time devoted to sharing what we appreciate about each other, which often goes unsaid. We’re human and can always benefit from a boost to our self-esteem and motivation.

We’ve heard over and over from our members how much they value their Forum experience. Listen for yourself HERE! We are pleased to offer two great Forum options so you can choose whatever works best in your world.

Full Forum

Available to Enterprise and Add-on Members, Full Forum is a dedicated group of nine peers who meet consistently each month to listen, share and learn from each other. In addition to monthly meetings, each Full Forum attends an annual executive retreat. This is an opportunity to reflect on the big picture and bond as a group.

Each meeting, one member of the nine-person Full Forum presents a current issue they are facing in any aspect of his/her/their life. The other eight Forum members are there to listen, support and offer shared experiences. Following the presentation, the rest of the Forum shares updates from their professional and personal lives as a way to bond and build relationships among the group. Each meeting culminates with continued conversation over dinner.

Full Forum includes:

  • Continuity of Forum attendees (the same nine members month-over-month)
  • Mandatory attendance at Forum meetings
  • Mandatory on-time arrival to Forum meetings
  • Hybrid meetings (in-person and Zoom)
  • Confidentiality, shared experiences, clarifying questions, appreciations
  • Strategic Partners invited for pre-meeting as advisors (mandatory 2x year)
  • Required to attend Community in Forum prior to first Forum meeting
  • Opportunity to attend Community in Forum multiple times
  • Afternoon/Evening commitment of six hours with rotating locations
  • Mandatory dinner
  • Yearly retreat

Flex Forum

Flex Forum is an option for Pro members. Flex Forum provides the opportunity for members to experience the support of a peer group without requiring a commitment to monthly attendance. As the name implies, members have the flexibility to attend Flex Forum as frequently or as infrequently as needed.

Flex Forum currently meets monthly on the third Wednesday in the morning at the EFBC offices in downtown Chicago. As this is a new offering at EFBC, as Flex Forum grows, we will add additional dates and locations.

Attendance is limited to 12 individuals each meeting. In addition to Pro members, Enterprise and Add-on members who want an additional peer meeting to get differing shared experiences outside of their Full Forum may choose to attend. Strategic Partners seeking a Forum meeting are also welcome to attend.

One important note: Flex Forum attendees vary each month. If you are seeking the full peer group experience with a consistent group of peers who become your board of advisors and know your business as well as you do, Enterprise Membership with Full Forum is your best option.

Flex Forum includes:

  • Flexible attendance to attend monthly meetings as frequently or infrequently as you wish
  • Mandatory on-time arrival to Forum meetings
  • Confidentiality, shared experiences, clarifying questions, appreciations
  • Strategic Partners welcome to participate as attendees
  • Opportunity to attend Community in Forum multiple times
  • Morning commitment of four hours with set downtown location

Compare Full and Flex Forums