Resources

IPA - MRERF

ERA’s Commitment to Performance Academic Research Projects, professional certification programs and other resource development are provided by the Manufacturers’ Representatives Educational Research Foundation – MRERF.

Open the section below for more information on the CPMR, CSP and MBP programs offered through MRERF:

The CPMR curriculum provides participants with greater understanding and insight into operating a more effective firm. In all, it takes three annual sessions or two years and one week to complete the certification program. After completing the third year, graduates earn the right to use the distinctive CPMR designation and gain membership to the Institute for Professional Advancement (IPA), MRERF’s educational subsidiary.

Large firms or one person operation, current or future owners or managers of independent manufacturers representatives may apply. Reps are also known as brokers, agents or outsourced sales. CPMR candidates come from a variety of industries. From soup ingredients to nuts and bolts, and the equipment used to make or package them…they all enjoy CPMR. Click here for more information and to browse the CPMR curriculum.

The Certified Professional Sales Consultant (CPSC) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling. Public sessions CSP are held multiple times a year in sites all across the United States. Private sessions are also available for fifteen or more attendees. Click here for more information and schedules.

The Manufacturer’s Best Practices (MBP) is a two day workshop to learn how to manage reps. You will learn how to better manage your rep network, and learn best practices that can be implemented immediately. Click here for more information and schedules.

ERA’s new podcast series, ERA Talks, features informative and educational interviews with industry leaders in a quick conversational format.

Episodes of ERA Talks are available here on the ERA website, as well as on various key podcast networks allowing listeners to tune in at their convenience, including Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts.

Through this annual conference, ERA provides how-to and informational programs, workshops and networking focused on sales management, marketing and sales/industry trends.

STEP (Sales Training for Electronics Professionals) is a live, virtual event targets frontline sales professionals and offers nine robust 75-minute educational sales training modules covering an array of topics. The training sessions will be conducted live by a mix of professional sales trainers and by industry sales executives. Attendees can expect a unique blend of sessions that will provide useful tactical takeaways, best practices and key tools to succeed at sales in today’s ever-changing market.

ERA LIVE virtual discussion and information sessions take place frequently throughout the year and feature electronics industry experts and peers who will present a variety of hot topics. These sessions will be 1 hour in duration and facilitated by ERA staff. Anyone in the electronics industry is welcome to attend. There is no registration required.