Founders share the number one thing they do to prepare for board meetings.

1. 8 Ways to Prepare for Your
! ! ! Next Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 8, 14

2. Test Your Equipment
A lot of people know to do your homework on the guests you have attending
the meeting and to prepare any and all documents, but you should also
think about tech snags. I've often waited for intercoms to work, projectors to
fire up, etc. Just taking 10 minutes before a meeting to test things out could
save your entire company! You want to seem as polished and prepared as
possible, so there should be no detail, no matter how big or small, that
works against you in this situation. Don't assume that you've "got this" even
though you've done it before; arrive early and get prepared.
ROB FULTON, EXPONENTIAL BLACK
Wednesday, October 8, 14

3. Make Board Preparation Part of
! ! ! ! ! Ongoing Activities
After hearing someone remark that they spent three days preparing for a
board presentation but ran out of time in the meeting, I completely changed
my approach to preparation. The company just lost three entire days of
productivity from one guy, and probably weeks of productivity across the
organization for each quarterly meeting. Instead, change your process. The
board presentation should be one output or use of information, but others in
the company should get value from the work done. Some things are board
only (e.g. key talent reviews), but most things -- from forecasts to sales
updates -- can be used at all levels of the organization.
JT ALLEN, MYFOOTPATH LLC
Wednesday, October 8, 14

4. Prepare Discussion Items Regarding
! ! ! ! ! Company Strategy
While you certainly need to be prepared to answer all questions -- your
board members will be presenting the status of your company -- you should
also be ready with high level strategic questions you want to put forward for
discussion. This is your chance to get advice and input from a room full of
very experienced individuals who are highly invested in seeing your
company succeed. Not only will their advice be useful, but you can also
make sure that your vision remains aligned with your investors, and that
their expectations have not diverged from what is practicable.
PETER MINTON, MINTON LAW GROUP
Wednesday, October 8, 14

5. Prepare With Your Team
Make sure that the entire company is aligned and everyone knows what’s
going on. We run a series of mock board meetings with the management
team to expose any potential weaknesses in the business or refine answers
that might need additional clarity. Not only is this communication extremely
beneficial to the management team, but it helps us better maintain focus.
When it comes time for the board meeting, we take a deep dive with various
parts of the business. It’s amazing how in sync everyone has consecutively
been.
GEORGE BOUSIS, RAISE MARKETPLACE
Wednesday, October 8, 14

6. Review the Minutes From Previous
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Meetings
Before board meetings, I make sure to review the minutes and presentation
from the previous meeting. It's important each time to showcase the
progress that your company is making toward the business's milestones,
and being able to quantify the progress you've made since the previous
meeting is a key part of showing that trajectory and traction. Reading
through the previous meeting minutes also ensures that you will be
reminded of any follow-up materials or items you may have needed to
prepare or follow up on, too.
DOREEN BLOCH, POSHLY INC
Wednesday, October 8, 14

7. Send Materials in Advance
Have an agenda and communicate it in advance. Pull your numbers
together into a professional and easy to read format (recent performance,
milestones achieved, upcoming hurdles) and send them out in advance.
Use the meeting to discuss financial and strategic topics, as well as as an
opportunity to update investors on recent wins.
DAVID EHRENBERG, EARLY GROWTH FINANCIAL SERVICES
Wednesday, October 8, 14

8. Know Your Numbers
Know your numbers cold. When presenting to the board you will be
peppered with all sorts of questions. If you have your facts and numbers
straight, and are able to deliver on command, all should be well.
JOSEPH DITOMASO, ALLTHEROOMS
Wednesday, October 8, 14

9. Identify your Biggest Challenges
Board meetings are a place to step away from daily operations at your
company and think strategically. They're an opportunity to decide the long-term
direction of the company and what you need to get there. Identify your
biggest challenges before the meeting, and use your board to ask for
advice and resources. By aligning your needs regarding funding and
execution, you'll make your life much easier down the road.
PABLO VILLALBA, 8FIT
Wednesday, October 8, 14