Four Ways to Get Appointed and the One Thing that Really Counts
Like much in life we find theory on the one hand and on the other, the actual practice. I have worked as a headhunter and seen the board appointment process up close for almost 10 years. In my experience, in addition to working your personal connections, there are three ways in which individuals are appointed to […]
How to Get on a Board – The Fundamentals
Many think that the only thing that matters in a board selection process is that a candidate has the relevant skills to contribute to the board. But that’s rarely the only aspect boards look at when searching for the right candidate. As competition is fierce for board positions organisations can afford to pick through the applications of very good candidates to […]
How Much Do ‘Old School Networks’ Count?
The importance of our networks can never be underestimated when it comes to the board appointment process. So when asked how much old school networks count in a board appointment, the simple answer to this question is: ‘It depends on whether a board considers itself a rockpool or a Northern Quoll.’ Rockpool vs Northern Quoll […]
The benefits of an early start
Family and social pressures on top of a busy executive job leave very little time for many to consider anything more than managing the status quo. However, not carving out some time to develop your personal brand can have serious consequences for your future board career. An Early Start to Your Board Career can be […]
Which Board is for You?
Deciding which board is for you is a major key to your future success on a board. Taking on a board role that is not suited to you can lead to problems later down the line. So before you even start to prepare your application, you need to really consider the question which board roles […]
What Board should I apply for?
‘What sort of board role can I be appointed to?’ is a question that I get asked frequently. The question of what board to apply to is natural in the beginning of one’s board career but, I think, it equally does not bode well for the potential success of a board candidate in finding the ‘right board’ for them. I say this because […]
Your Board Profile
Before you begin your board search it is important to develop your unique board profile This will become your ‘board business card’. After stripping away the contextual issues, in my experience, there are essentially five criteria that need to be addressed when writing a board profile. They are: Past board or committee experience It is important to be […]
Getting the basis of your Board CV right
In our last ‘Board Thoughts’ article I wrote about getting your board profile right remembering that, above all, it should answer the question ‘Why should you be appointed to this board?’ Today I want to focus on the basis for writing a ‘board-ready’ CV. Whilst not all board appointments require a dedicated board CV, it is […]
Beware the bait & switch
One of our members raised my attention to a disturbing trend of which I thought you should be aware. ‘Value Add Directors’ Organisations of all different shapes and sizes require the services of a board and board members. For example there are: committees, advisory boards, sub-committees, independent directors, non executive directors and ‘value add’ directors. However, […]
What board vacancy should I apply for?
This question is one that I am asked most often by aspiring, and even experienced, board directors. As discussed in the last Board Thoughts email there is no such thing as a perfect board candidate. However, understanding what boards look for in potential board members should go some way to you answering this question for […]
Why Being Good Enough Counts More Than You Think
Being good enough counts – especially when it comes to board appointments. When applying for a board role, being good enough counts much more than you think. Unlike many senior executive appointment processes where tens of thousands of dollars are often spent on a recruitment process or a recruitment consultant and that is tied to a rigid process, the board appointment process […]
3 Myths and 5 Things You Should Do to Get on a Board
Landing your first, or subsequent, board seat is no easy matter. For many gaining an opportunity to serve on a board can be arduous so the question most commonly asked question remains, “How do I get on a board?” Motivations and experience aside following this practical advice could increase your chances of being able to serve on a board.
The most challenging part of your board career
Gaining a NED appointment can sometimes be the most challenging part of your board career. I often speak with executives that are looking to embark on a career in governance but either: have no idea where to start or; they think that, because they have already enjoyed a successful executive career, placement on a board will […]
Skype Interviews
With the development of modern technology Skype/Online interviews have become common place. Which poses the question, with the job interview already being seen as an ordeal that most people have to face at one stage or another in their career, is it easier or more difficult now that video starts to take the place of […]
What The Age had to say about Board Diversity.
The Age recently featured an article about Board Direction. Find out what they had to say here. ‘Becoming a non-executive member of a board just got much easier following the launch of a website called Board Direction.’ The Age MyCareer
How to Recruit a Digital Executive for Your Board
Even the casual observer has gotten the point by now: Corporate boards everywhere are seeking directors with digital expertise. Don’t despair if you haven’t signed one yet. Some of the most in-demand digital directors get 10 or more offers a year to serve on boards and, with challenging day jobs, can only pick one or […]