Preparing to be board ready

[Anonymous]

I'm a relatively new c-level (think:CIO) and am interested in joining a board or two at some point in the future. No rush, as my day job keeps me busy and interested enough. And I don't want to appear distracted.

In the meantime, I'd like to do what I can to prepare myself both for the role and to be a more compelling candidate. I have a couple questions.

1) Are prep courses worthwhile? I see that HBS, Kellogg, etc offer courses. Has anybody attended them?
2) Is a certification worthwhile? I was recommended https://certification.nacdonline.org/ , but I have no real insight into whether that a legit thing or not.
3) How does one position themselves for a board position? Networking, obviously, but do you just wait for serendipity or go out and actively pursue them?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

If you are a white make forget about it.

[Anonymous]

You don’t ‘prepare for a board position’

Either they ask you to or they don’t. Real simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a relatively new c-level (think:CIO) and am interested in joining a board or two at some point in the future. No rush, as my day job keeps me busy and interested enough. And I don't want to appear distracted.

In the meantime, I'd like to do what I can to prepare myself both for the role and to be a more compelling candidate. I have a couple questions.

1) Are prep courses worthwhile? I see that HBS, Kellogg, etc offer courses. Has anybody attended them?
2) Is a certification worthwhile? I was recommended https://certification.nacdonline.org/ , but I have no real insight into whether that a legit thing or not.
3) How does one position themselves for a board position? Networking, obviously, but do you just wait for serendipity or go out and actively pursue them?

Thanks in advance!

I think networking, volunteering, philanthropy get you noticed. I serve on 3 and all of them came about from volunteering in some capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a relatively new c-level (think:CIO) and am interested in joining a board or two at some point in the future. No rush, as my day job keeps me busy and interested enough. And I don't want to appear distracted.

In the meantime, I'd like to do what I can to prepare myself both for the role and to be a more compelling candidate. I have a couple questions.

1) Are prep courses worthwhile? I see that HBS, Kellogg, etc offer courses. Has anybody attended them?
2) Is a certification worthwhile? I was recommended https://certification.nacdonline.org/ , but I have no real insight into whether that a legit thing or not.
3) How does one position themselves for a board position? Networking, obviously, but do you just wait for serendipity or go out and actively pursue them?

Thanks in advance!

I think networking, volunteering, philanthropy get you noticed. I serve on 3 and all of them came about from volunteering in some capacity.

Interesting. Thanks. I'm starting a self-funded non-profit. I didn't think of it in that context, but it should absolutely get some attention.

[Anonymous]

Post-holiday bump to see if there are any additional perspectives out there.

[Anonymous]

No snark intended, but why do you want to serve on a board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No snark intended, but why do you want to serve on a board?

+1 also what kind of board are you looking to serve on?

[Anonymous]

You prepare by being rich and knowing rich people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No snark intended, but why do you want to serve on a board?

Fair question.

Three reasons in order of importance:

1) I have a capacity to contribute beyond my day job.
2) I enjoy the diversity of experience and think such diversity benefits the organizations I serve.
3) I like the idea of additional compensation.


Regarding what kind of board, probably the advisory board of a small- to mid-sized company in my field, though I'm open to suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Different boards have different strategies. First step regardless is to network, become a speaker on as many panels as you can, get noticed throughout the industry. Recent promotion is great - opportunity to get out there in so many ways.

Volunteer - find opportunities that match you with other board members of various companies. And have one community volunteer position (the Kavanaugh - "coach" some rando team somewhere.)

Meet board chairs and CEOs. Depending on company size this will happen at mega conferences during one on one meetings. Meet with your vendors CEOs and your customers CEOs and boards. Prep in front of your own board.

Board seats are great - at the lower stage you can help mentor a firm's C-suite. At the larger stage it's $200k a year to meet 4 times and rubber stamp the CEO. Great retirement gig.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No snark intended, but why do you want to serve on a board?

I have served on a couple of different boards, and 3 years into my current Board position.
I have been fortunate to have different roles with each, and the one previously absolutely landed me on the current one.
I feel good about my time lending experience and insight to an industry that I believe in, and I am motivated to keep the business afloat. Working with knowledgeable people is exciting, and all of this is outside of our regular jobs so it keeps things exciting.

[Anonymous]

Just get your checkbook ready

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just get your checkbook ready

This advice applies to nonprofit board positions that are almost always unpaid and are essentially vanity projects for retirees and bored spouses of high earners.

I believe OP is asking about boards at for-profit corporations, in which case 11:57's advice is spot on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just get your checkbook ready

This advice applies to nonprofit board positions that are almost always unpaid and are essentially vanity projects for retirees and bored spouses of high earners.

I believe OP is asking about boards at for-profit corporations, in which case 11:57's advice is spot on.

OP here. That's correct, though my experience and observations don't support the need to be rich and have rich friends. I'm not talking about getting on the board of WalMart or Amazon here.