ProdPod: Episode 75 — How to Run your Personal Advisory Board, Part Two

Steps for Setting Up Your Personal Advisory Board:1. Perform a strategic analysis of your situation, including a business and personal SWOT Analysis.2. Set clear, written goals and objectives for your PAB: Vision and 6-month missionstatements.3. Make a list of potential board advisers. Be broad in your list; think of all yourrelationship categories (academic, personal, professional, extracurricular and more)and make note of individuals you believe have skills that complete weaknesses orprovide connections to opportunities from your SWOT analyses. This is an ongoing listand should be continually updated and reviewed for potential board advisers at leastsemi-annually.4. From your list of potential board advisers, select six individuals. You should decideon the group that (a) best fits your needs for the coming six months that you'veplanned through your mission statement, (b) has the best chance of collaboratingwell, and (c) have no apparent reasons for not being able to serve on the board forthe next set of terms.5. Create a list of possible substitutes (usually up to three), in case some of yourpotential board advisers are unable or unwilling to be a part of your PAB. Begracious, positive and compassionate with anyone who does not or cannot be on yourPAB. Be sure to ask them if they'd like to be considered for future PABs; that way, ifthey say “no,” you can remove them completely from your list of potential boardadvisers so you don't bother them again in the future.6. Reach out to each potential board adviser, introduce them to the concept of the PABand yours and their responsibilities (see the outline below), and ask them if they'd beinterested in joining the PAB.7. Once you have six yeses, you are ready to schedule your first PAB meeting.