Finding a board seat involves discovering:
- Does the cause/vision of this organization match yours?
- What are the key skills, expertise that you can contribute to the board?
- What skills and connections is the board missing that you can offer?
- Which companies are ready to add new board members?
- Who do you know, that is connected to the CEO or Board Member?
Corporations needing Board Members
The process of finding a board seat involves finding companies that are in your desired market niche, product line, size and location. The coach guides you to create a target list of companies. We are committed to generating, for you, an extremely focused list of contacts in companies where your skills and talents will most likely generate interest. We isolate industries where your experience is likely to be in demand and create a compelling web profile. Finally, we make sure that your profile is seen by the executive with the power to appoint you to a board seat. We offer instructions on how to present yourself, get past the “gatekeepers”, and make effective follow-up calls. In addition, we will act as your personal coaches throughout the process.
Approach CEO or Board Chair
The process involves developing a finely crafted pitch to the CEO or Board Member or Board Chairman. This pitch is multi-faceted and involves many steps. The executive Coach guides the client to develop the appropriate pitch and refine it to be effective.
Board Selection
A Board may seek to replace a member who is leaving due to poor health, relocation, retirement, or end-of-term. One key factor is whether or not you are already known by one of members of the board and are available at the time the position becomes available. Another factor, is whether they require your particular set of skills.
Typically, the selection process involves finding out if you have the correct background be a board member. There are several underlying factors that are sought after, among successful applicants to serve on boards. The criteria include typically includes financial expertise, executive experience, stakeholder relations, communication, and diplomacy. Often they are also looking for experience with problems, issues and challenges specific to their company as well as access to resources, and good references. We prepare a profile with your expertise, accomplishments, proficiencies and values that put you in the running for such a seat.
Reverse Search Philosophy
The usual approach is to look at possible options on websites, crafting a cover letter, addressing it to the right person, attaching the resume, sending out the e-mail, and then waiting for a response. We believe that a better approach is to reverse engineer the market.
Our approach, starts with a targeted list of companies, based on specific criteria. This produces an exact or very close match between your background and their requirements. We believe that the “Reverse Search” program is the most effective methodology to put you in consideration for a board seat. We combine a powerful presentation of your skills with strategically researched targets and direct access to decision makers.
Executive Web Portfolio
Our executive coach prepares your customized Executive Web Portfolio to highlight the skills and experience that the Board is seeking. an online presence is critical to personal branding and impact your success with your career path. A strong image will open more doors than traditional search strategies.
The challenge is to get noticed and to be noticed. For this, you need differentiation. Having an online portfolio immediately solves that problem and improves your competitive edge. It also:
- Improves your image
- Enriches your value proposition
- Adds depth to your candidacy
- Accelerates your results
The Web Portfolio develops your value proposition, articulates your contributions, and adds depth to your career history. This highly effective method highlights your achievements quickly and gives you a competitive advantage as we tap into the board seat market. Though a process of selective and focused networking is that you gain access to the “hidden” market of board seats. Contacting the person to whom you would report, gives you the opportunity to apply for the position before others and use the Executive Web Portfolio to showcase your skills and experience in a way that the resume would not do.
Executive Networking
This “reverse search” methodology generates results. We conduct an executive level networking campaign and tap into The National Association of Corporate Directors, which offers a director registry www.nacdonline.org.
