One of the most common things I hear from my clients who are looking for a board role is that they do not have a board network. The reality is that most of us already have the foundations of one, which includes your business, professional and personal contacts. These people are one of the most valuable and transportable assets you have. Your network is of value to those boards interested in appointing you and to you when searching for a board appointment.
An actively maintained and up-to-date network can truly work wonders for your board and executive careers. When people start leveraging their board network, they quickly realise that their connections are stale, shallow, or their details are no longer correct. As such, it is essential to address this challenge to refresh your board network. Not only will this make it easier to nurture your network, but it will also provide a solid base for you to build future board connections.
Commit NOW to get your board network in order
Breaking the challenge into smaller steps will make the task feel less overwhelming and lead to improved outcomes. Start by working on any or all of the following steps:
Step 1 – Review your contact list
Who do you know?
Take some time to list all your current and past business, professional, and personal contacts. The people you used to work with, old university friends, people you have done business with, members of community and professional organisations you are part of, current or past board and committee members you served with, or even people you know through your personal activities – clubs, sporting teammates and of course friends, family, etc.
Collect contact information
Once you have compiled your list, put it into a spreadsheet or CRM. Next, spend time gathering or checking their contact details. Resources such as LinkedIn, ContactOut and RocketReach can be extremely helpful. Focus on collecting their email or LinkedIn address. Make sure you include a note regarding the context of the relationship. This will make the task of contacting them easier and more personable.
Qualify the contacts in your board network
Once collated, grade your relationship’s ‘quality and depth’ with each contact. A simple “A, B, C” ranking will suffice. An “A” contact is someone you feel is definitely an advocate or champion of yours – someone who, without question, will have positive things to say about you. “C” contacts are individuals whom you do not know very well at all. “B” contacts are those whom you know reasonably well, or very well, but are not necessarily individuals you would consider advocates or champions.
Step 2 – Connect (or re-connect) with the right approach
Initiate Contact
Regardless of whether you have classified them as an A, B, or C contact, set a goal to have contacted your board network within 30 days or a manageable timeline. Pencil it in your diary and keep to your goal.
Connect, but don’t ask for a job
The true purpose of this exercise is to strengthen your current connections to build your board network. For those connections that may be stale, reconnecting can feel awkward at first. There are some easy ways to (re)start a relationship. A simple “I just came across your profile on LinkedIn and realised we weren’t connected” could be an excellent way to begin. Once you have re-established contact with your board network, the next step is to maintain ongoing contact.
Another purpose of this exercise is to position yourself for potential opportunities that your connection may have access to. However, you must not use this conversation to boldly ask for a board role or access to one. If this is perceived as the sole driver for your approach, you will come across as inauthentic – bordering on sleazy – and unwelcome. You can avoid this by showing a shift in motivation and showing a genuine interest in what they are doing, their challenges and their needs. Put their interests before your own. Consider using a ‘how can I help‘ mantra.
Update the connection in your board network
After each conversation, go back to your spreadsheet or database and revise your relationship grade. Also, add notes about the conversation and the relationship that can be used in preparation for future conversations or referred to during these conversations. AI tools can help keep summaries of electronic or verbal conversations.
Step 3 – Nurture and keep in contact with your board network
Now that you have established and reached out to the foundation of your board network, you must nurture these connections. Why? Because at least 50% of all board appointments occur via people you see rarely or infrequently. So, the more regularly your board network contacts hear from you, the better your chances of staying on their radar. You are more likely to be one of the people they think of when referring or recommending someone for a vacant board position. Plus, you never know who your connections are connected with, which in turn can help expand your board network organically.
This step may require manufacturing reasons to stay in touch. There are countless ways to do so. Great examples of ways to stay in regular contact with your board network include:
- Sending birthday cards or messages
- Making personal introductions
- Referring leads, work or business opportunities
- Inviting them to networking or industry events
- Forwarding exciting articles or studies
- Sharing new online resources, tools, apps or websites
- Congratulating them on achievements or anniversaries
Step 4 – Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the best tools to stay connected. If you are not using it regularly, you should be. By following individuals and businesses, plus participating in relevant LinkedIn groups, you can find additional reasons to reach out to contacts in your board network. Remember to stay focused on their motivations.
Step 5 – Do more to reach out to your board network
LinkedIn is a great and appropriate resource, but it is almost too easy to use. As such, receiving another message via LinkedIn can lose its lustre. Consider picking up the phone, sending an email or doing something more personal. For example, in the past, I have used online bookstores to send books of common interest to contacts in my board network. It may cost more, but the impact can be enormous, generally leading to a positive phone call at least.
In summary
You will be amazed at what a well-maintained board network of personal and professional connections can lead to. My best advice is: Don’t overthink it, just do it. It all starts with spending some focused time working out who you know. We cover how to develop your board network extensively in the Board Appointment Training Series, included in our Executive Membership package.
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About the Author
David Schwarz is CEO & Founder of Board Appointments – The UK’s leading board advertising and non-executive career support firm. He has over a decade of experience in putting people on boards as an international headhunter and a non-executive recruiter and has interviewed over one thousand non-executives and placed hundreds into some of the most significant public, private and NFP roles in the world.