Board meetings are essential to startups, allowing for everyone who plays a vital role in the organisation to get together, share their insights and ideas, and come up with solutions to challenges that they might be facing.
But to make the most of any board meeting, particularly in a startup, preparation is key, so check out the tips below for how to prep for your next board meeting with greater ease.
Prepare your discussion Items
Your board members will be using their time in the meeting to present the overall status of your business, and they will also use this time to ask you important questions.
Therefore, make it a point to be ready to answer questions, but also have some strategic questions of your own to ask as well.
After all, this will be a chance to receive valuable input and advice from those who are not only invested in your business, but also very experienced in business matters in general.
Have a mock board meeting with your team
In order to be certain that everyone in your business knows what is happening and that you are all on the same page, it is a good idea to run a mock board meeting with your management team.
This will alert you to any weaknesses within your business, and you will be able to refine your materials and answers so that you can be clear with your board members.
Besides, every time you have a mock meeting, you will also be enhancing your communication skills with your team, and your team will be refining their presentation skills as well, so everyone benefits, and this is definitely not wasted time.
Review the minutes from your last board Meeting
Prior to your next board meeting, take some time to fully review all of the minutes, as well as your presentation, from your last meeting.
This will refresh your memory and allow you to focus on highlighting the progress that you and your team have been making towards meeting your goals.
Plus, you will also be reminded of the follow-up items and materials that you are required to prepare for your upcoming meeting.
Use an electronic marketing room booking system
A meeting room booking system, such as this one from Pronestor, could be a lifesaver, especially when last-minute changes and cancellations come into play.
Invest in software that will allow all of your board members to stay connected, and then use it to alert everyone to the date, time, and place of your next meeting.
If your meeting will be catered, or if you will need to rent professional equipment, such as electronic whiteboards, you can use this technology to book the pros you need and alert them to changes in your plans along the way, if necessary.
If you use the tips above and you fully prepare for each of your startup’s board meetings, you will find that everyone involved in the meeting is excited to share their questions, ideas, and progress reports. Before long, your board meetings will be productive and insightful.