Build An Advisory Board

"Many companies have discovered first-hand that an Advisory Board can serve as a valuable complement to the Management Team. In fact, in today's increasingly complex and competitive marketplace, the proliferation of Advisory Boards is helping companies develop crisp strategies with clear and effective value propositions in order to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage."

www.geehanadvisoryboards.com/advisory



Every American president since George Washington has had a “kitchen cabinet” of advisors—people whose opinions, values and experience are invaluable to helping the leader achieve his goals.

Likewise, as a corporate leader, you need to establish your own kitchen cabinet of external advisors with whom you can discuss ideas, proposals and future plans. Some companies just don’t understand the value of having outsiders who have no stake in the corporation tell them what to do. But that is exactly what an advisory board does.

The value of these independent advisory boards is that they provide a perspective that leaders need to hear, but rarely do from their own employees, directors, or consultants. These are people who are not afraid to offend the CEO and who are independent enough to call things as they see them.

Every CEO needs an advisory board, if for nothing else than to tell him / her when the emperor has no clothes. Again, look to the academic, non-profit, association, faith-based, activist and civil-rights sectors for leading persons to participate in your advisory board. Pay them just enough to respect their time and cover their expenses, but not enough to be seen as a payoff. Meet with them regularly and informally, and listen to their advice.

(c) 2008 Adonis E. Hoffman