Board Starter Program
We have seen firsthand how many growing businesses struggle to apply practical and robust governance and targeted advisor engagement. We have also seen how business owners struggle to prioritise and accelerate their strategy by listening to the right people but at the wrong time!
…we knew that there had to be a better way.
Based on years of research conducted by the Advisory Board Centre, this program has assisted businesses in achieving impressive results on improving performance and improving business owner’s satisfaction with their own business. By creating a strong governance framework and monitoring your progress, you are unlocking the true value you are targeting through several stages of your business. This guide is a blueprint in establishing quality protocols, helping you to make key decisions on how you will execute and support your strategy long term and is the most important component of establishing the right governance framework for your business. Congratulations on taking this important step to help grow your business and be supported by people who are in the know.
The PMO’s Board Starter Program is a 90-day plan to establish a framework to manage governance in your business. …but the most important day of this program is Day 91, when the results of your work will be put into action.
There are three stages to the Board Starter Program. The most common approach is a 3 month process with three 1/2 day sessions. Other options on how you could run your program can be discussed your consultant.
Throughout the program, your consultant will guide you through each stage. It is important that you are open and honest, in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from investing in this process.
Preparation: Exploring Your Goals
Activity: Growth Assessment
You will complete an online survey prior to your first meeting, at which your consultant will review the report results with you to better understand the business priorities that are important to you.
Session 1: Establishing Priorities
Activity: 90 Day Action Plan
This session will review your Business Growth Score and commence a governance checklist to get things done during this process. As we take a practical approach to governance and board development, this enables you to review your internal governance, business planning and business practices. A 90 day action plan will be created with you to address any gaps you may have in your governance foundations.
Session 2: Practical Pathways
Activity: Governance Structure
This meeting will review your progress on your 90-day plan. You will also take a deeper dive in understanding where value is created and lost in your business using the Value Chain Assessment. Critical thinking and deliberate evaluation have many benefits in the long term. This is the time to “step back” to enable you to “step forward” to gain greater confidence in the long term.
A key outcome of this working session is the creation of your longer-term pathway for your governance structure. Pending on your progress and business needs you will articulate some or all of the following:
- The business stage you are in
- A measurable goal for the next 18 months
- Board structure options
- Key priorities for management, directors and your Board
- Identify the advisor, expert or director profiles needed
At this stage, you may or may not be ready to submit an Expression of Interest to start connecting with advisors – your consultant will work through this with you.
Session 3: Advisor Structure
Activity: Governance Framework
This session will finalise your governance framework. If a formalised advisory board is the right path for you and your action plan is completed, the outcomes from this meeting can include:
- A completed Advisory Board Charter
- Advisor interview preparation
- Meeting calendar and approach established
- Meeting agenda structure
- Preparation for the advisor orientation
- Finalisation of your Board Pack including:
- Business Plan
- Financial Pack
- Directors Declaration
- Business Growth Assessment
- You may also have other documentation pending on your Advisory Board Charter
However, if a different pathway for governance is right for you, your consultant will plan out alternative options with you during the meeting. These may include the following examples:
- Chair/Mentor Monthly Meetings
- A Pop-Up Advisory Board
- Think Tank
- Industry Advisory Committee
- Expert engagement
- Governance Board
- An informal Advisory Board
OK, so what happens after the initial 90 day program?
Following the Board Starter Program, you may continue to work with your consultant in managing your governance pathway and establish an advisory board. Even if you don’t go ahead with a formal advisory board structure, we expect that you will have gained significant value from evaluating your internal governance, management and reassessing your business priorities.
…so, if this sounds like the right place to start, please Contact Us today and one of our consultants will be in touch.