How to Become a Board Member

Introduction

Board members are the administrators who guide the organization towards a secure future

by adopting sound, legal governance, ethical, and financial management policies and making

sure the nonprofit advances its mission. At the same time, a board of advisors is a team

composed of business and academic professionals that provide advice on how a business owner

can better manage his company. A board of advisors is composed of individuals selected for their

specific area of expertise by the company owner.

Board of advisors is very important organ of the company as it offers various guidelines

to the owners of the company. They offer innovative advice and different perspectives of the

market and nature of the business in general. For any successful company, has had its share of

successful advisors as they play a vital role on advisory of the company. In many cases a

company which is startup needs its own board of advisors to maximize it output.

Becoming a board member is another journey for most people. Some decide to become

board members of various companies and start the race to getting that position and others get

appointed or scouted by the company owners without asking because of their outstanding

performance in the business and entire industry. To become a board member, you need to have

or do the following.

Get Good in Your Area of Expertise or Get Even Better.

 Everywhere, boards are looking for the best person who can advise them. The owners are

looking for individuals who are experts in their area. To become a board advisor, you have to

develop your niche expertise. Whatever you do, do it to your best. Give it your all. Own it.

Realize what you are good at and, most importantly, know where you can learn and do more.

The more knowledge, education, and skills you possess, the more qualified you will be. So raise

your class. Do better. That's how you will be recognized. For instance, if you have skills in

finance, or management, then get better improve your area in that there is no other option but

you. The better you become, the higher your chances of getting that board position.

To become a good board advisor, you need the domain expertise or relevant field that

your company of interest require. All companies need something different, something they don’t

have at hand. A strong network and dominance in terms of your area of practice is very

important to become a great board member.

Build your Persona Brand

Build your brand and create awareness around it. Connect with influential people to help

your brand grow. Remember you're responsible for your won promotion. Don't shy off. Get it

done no matter what. Often, those searching for a board advisor look to the media to see who's

actively contributing to the topic. Make sure your name is noticeable when they will come

looking for someone. Remember, if people don't know you or about you, they can't tell anyone

about you. Being noticeable plays a significant role in attracting those who need a board

member. Let people see you and know you.

Be out there and do something more than your job, and relevant people will see you.

How well is your brand, can it stand out among the rest? Can you be considered when other
brands are mentioned in the discussion table? It’s essential to build your personal brand well

enough. Build a name that will please the owners of the company to have you in their board.

Obviously if you manage to build a successful personal brand, even your company of interest

will get you on board with knowledge that you will bring a lot of skills and experience to the

company.

Do the Networking. Let Networking be your Job

existing board members will always appoint people from their network. You better be

there. Get yourself into the right circles; show up; you can network by offering your services for

an organization you're interested in, for free even when they don't need anyone, they may need

somebody someday. Networking with professional circles and board recruiters will play a very

vital role. Don't just network with everybody, do with people who matter. Manage your network

and let people know you're available to serve, ready to serve, and skilled enough to serve.

Personal Reflection

If you want to become a board member, you need to self-reflect and examine yourself.

What skills do you have to offer? What skills do you hope to gain? Get your objectives in place.

Always articulate your motives; it will help you narrow down where you're best fit. Determine

which type of board you want to join. Go and get it. You can start small. Mostly, become tend to

jump into things without a clear objective and priorities. Any company looking for a board

member, is looking for someone with expertise, a person who has a well understanding of his or

her skills and has objectives in place.

 When you reflect on your personal capabilities, match them with your company of

interest.do they fit into what the company need? If not, how can you improve about the same? Fit

your standards to that of a company board member.in believe that no company can make you a

board member if you’re fit to be a basic employee of the company. Self-reflection is very

important in order to know what you need to do and what you need to acquire to realize a board

member standards.

Ensure that Interested Companies Can Find you.

When you want to become a board member, you need to be more visible. You have to put

yourself out there, don’t wait for the world to come to you; instead go out to the world.

Additionally, all of the big firms have channels that you can present your case, either by

submitting your resume there. If you have unique skills and you have made yourself visible, it’s

a very vital way to getting the door open.

There is no way you sit around and wait for a company to come and ask you to serve in

the board especially if you have not served under any other. You have to be aggressive. Connect

and ask all the available opportunities available out there. Most importantly, how visible you’re

makes the difference. If you’re not visible, avail yourself. Let the world know you exist, if you

don’t, you can’t get the opportunity to serve in any board. Be visible. Make sure they can notice

you and find you when they come looking for someone.

Reach out to your Friends who are Already Board Members.

in the journey of becoming a board member, you will have to consider all options which

will be a drive to your dream coming a reality. It’s fine to call people you know who sits on

boards and explain to them your skills, experience in your area of expertise. Ask them how to
find a board in the industry with your need. Rends are a vital tool to success and to getting to a

certain point that they have attained and you’re yet to achieve. If you call your friends about the

area they have ventured in, no doubt they will give you the leads to reaching there.

Don’t shy off from talking to your friends and people at you reach, to get the connection

that you need to realize your dream of becoming a board member.