How to Build an Advisory Board w/ Jen Grant (COO, Cube)
Jun 20, 2024
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Jen Grant, COO at Cube and seasoned independent board member, shares her expertise on building effective advisory boards and navigating the complexities of board meetings. She highlights the importance of diverse perspectives and strong relationships for early-stage founders. Jen stresses the need to critically evaluate advice from venture capitalists, offering strategies for aligning growth initiatives with market dynamics. She also discusses the role of networking and mentorship for aspiring board members, emphasizing the power of connections over credentials.
Building a strong advisory board allows founders to fill expertise gaps and seek targeted guidance from experienced professionals in specific areas.
Evaluating the advice from venture capitalists is essential, as their recommendations may not always align with the operational realities faced by early-stage companies.
Deep dives
Navigating Boardroom Advice
Founders often receive guidance from venture capitalists in board meetings, but this advice can be misleading, particularly if the VCs lack operational experience. One common issue is the suggestion to focus solely on enterprise clients while neglecting smaller ones, which can be detrimental for early-stage companies. An effective approach includes evaluating the context behind any advice given and seeking validation from experienced operators or advisors. This validation not only sharpens decision-making but also helps founders understand the best course of action strategically.
Building an Advisory Board
Constructing a strong advisory board is crucial for first-time founders to fill gaps in their expertise, especially in areas where they feel less confident. Founders should identify their weaknesses and actively seek advisors who possess relevant experience in those specific areas, creating what has been termed 'a kitchen cabinet' of trusted professionals. Networking plays a vital role in this process, as utilizing platforms like LinkedIn can aid in finding potential advisors who can guide them effectively. Regular communication with advisors, whether monthly or bi-weekly, is important to maintain a beneficial relationship that facilitates growth and learning.
Effective Engagement with Advisors
To maximize the benefits of an advisory board, founders should ensure accountability and specificity in the roles of their advisors. When engaging advisors, it's crucial to define short-term, actionable goals that align with current needs, allowing for tailored guidance around specific challenges. This focused approach can include setting regular check-ins, ensuring that each advisor is contributing meaningfully to the relevant department's objectives. Encouraging open dialog and collaboration between advisors and the leadership team fosters a more effective advisory relationship that can significantly impact a startup's success.
Selecting the Right Venture Capitalists
Choosing the right venture capitalists (VCs) requires diligent evaluation during the fundraising process to find those who not only bring capital but also strategic insights for the business. Founders should pay close attention to the questions asked by VCs during due diligence as a key indicator of their understanding and ability to add value. Engaging in discussions with other CEOs who have had experiences with potential VCs can provide invaluable insights, helping founders gauge whether the investors' advice aligns with their company’s goals. Ultimately, establishing a solid relationship with VCs can create a supportive environment that fosters the company's long-term success.
You're a first time founder, CEO, or sales leader. You've crushed the Seed stage of your business, and got the $10 million Series A check. Now you're at your board meeting. The multi-decade venture capitalist is feeding you with advice and counsel. And you take it.
The problem is: They're wrong sometimes. But how do you know — you've never been in this seat before?
As an independent board member, Jen Grant (COO, Cube) has seen every angle of this equation and she's here to help us decipher it.