Article Overview: My partner Chris Wand is finally blogging (even though he’ll deny it) over at AsktheVC – he’s writing a series on what should be in a “board reporting package.”
Free Download - Deep Breath By Brad Feld
Communicating Sales Info To Your Board
My partner Chris Wand is finally blogging (even though he’ll deny it) over at AsktheVC – he’s writing a series on what should be in a “board reporting package.” My long-time friend Will Herman – who happens to be hanging out in Boulder this week making the rounds (and getting his bike fitted - whatever that means) – inadvertantly contributed with his post titled Communicating with Your Board: Sales Numbers. Will’s post covers some good ground – I can’t tell you the number of times a clear sales report is missing from a board package. It’s even worse when there is a sales report, but given the fact that I attend Nboard meetingsa year (where N is a large number) the CEO doesn’t create any linkage to historical performance, current expectations or the plan. Great stuff.
Brad Feld is currently a Managing Director at Mobius Venture Capital and has been with the firm since 1996. Prior to Mobius, Brad founded Feld Technologies, which was sold to AmeriData Technologies in 1993, where he became Chief Technology Officer. Brad currently serves on the boards of a number of private companies, including Atreus, Comergent, ePartners, FeedBurner, Gold Systems, Judy's Book, Klocwork, NewsGator, Quova, Rally Software, and StillSecure. In addition, he is on the board of The National Center for Women & Information Technology, The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County, and The Colorado Conservation Trust. Brad has previously been a member of the board of directors of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization and founded the Boston and Colorado chapters. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Related Forum Posts Just A Hello From newbie
- Hello All its Adalia From Yucca Valley , California . i just want to say that i'm glad i join this Board , Such a nice Board with lots of info, can spend hours here reading all the great post.
Thanks
Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
- Hi Evan,
I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing
niche forum categories
- I think Kevin just touched on the point that I was going make... and that is developing 'categories' that stick. Sales and Marketing may be too broad for example. However I can almost guarantee you that you would see many more sign-ups if you tailored a category to 'internet marketing' for newbies. I've seen this work on other forums, however, [i:1i903wkn]it can get a little frantic[/i:1i903wkn]...
Fine tuning the categories, or expanding the scope should be effective. I think a lot of IM folks are surfing right on by because they're not finding what they're looking for here...
Just a few thoughts:
Better Blogging
Developing Info Products
Internet Marketing
Presentation Skills
More How to's
Another point is... a lot of people don't know that they can benefit from participating in forums. The signature links to their site - if they have one - can / should be motivation enough to get more involved. The more internet savvy members that have signatures seem to stick around more... Don't you think?
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
- [quote="ltrahan":31w9r2iz]Hi Evan,
I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing[/quote:31w9r2iz]
I second the request...
Advisory Board - Steps 9 & 10
- Hey Everyone - Sorry for the delay. I have been battling the flu the last few days which has been brutal. But I guess I cant complain, my jeans are loose and I'm down 6 pounds in 72 hours. ;0) Pretty soon I will be back at my high school weight of 117 only 5 more to go! ;0)
Anyway, onto the last two steps for setting up your Advisory Board. The caveat with each of these steps is that it is YOUR board. You decide what you want and need and then work it out so it delivers.
Step 9) Keep your Board Members Informed
There's nothing worse than having a great team of advisors - who dont know what's going on.
Once you have your board in place, its important to keep them motivated and excited about your business by giving them updates at times when you arent soliciting their advice. The fact that they have agreed to be on your board means they care about your company - so keeping them up to date will help them be of greater value to you. They are champions and evangelists for your business - commit to giving them constant communications so they can share the message.
10) Fire Bad Board Members.
if you realize you have made a bad choice, get rid of him or her as fast as you can. Because your advisor board is not a formal board of advisors you wont have the typical legal issues - but you will have a good management/leadership task on your plate. Tread carefully and lightly but remember that the longer a 'bad seed' sticks around, the longer it takes to remove the 'stench' after they are gone.
Just think Omarosa - and cut em loose!
This can be very uncomfortable but if you act with integrity and are really upfront about what you need, you should be able to bypass having to let anyone go. Go slow in bringing your board together - perhaps have existing advisors talk with / interview potential new advisors in order to confirm your decision of fit.
Good luck!
I'm here to help!
Jude
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