Comments on: Board Meetings that Suck

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Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:07:18 +0000

[...] Jerry Colonna admits to falling asleep in a board meeting during his VC days and has suggestions on how to make board meetings that don't "suck." One important suggestion, "Tell the truth. No snowjobs, sandbagging or other forms of lying." There are 10 other suggestions here. [...]

By: jerrycolonna

jerrycolonna — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:43:46 +0000

Thanks Martha. Ummm, I wish I could but my coach won't let me join any more boards.

By: marthalasley

marthalasley — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:47:52 +0000

Hey Jerry – I just sent your blog to my fellow board members – partly because it's validating, but also because I love your humor. I came here because I got a call from someone who wants to join our coaching for transformation program in San Francisco and she said she heard about it from your blog. How cool is that? Thanks for the moving way you spoke about the coaching workshop last month. Now if I could only get you to join our board … Don't walk to the other side of the street when I see you! xoxo Martha

By: Steven Kane

Steven Kane — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:58:22 +0000

“All the best meetings are taken.” -Woody Allen

By: jseelig

jseelig — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:48:29 +0000

Tried to go as far back as I could still remember…

By: jerrycolonna

jerrycolonna — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:55:04 +0000

Sure. Or you can call it Executive Session (with staff) to be distinguished from Executive Session (without staff or CEO). Which, on second thought, could warrant a post unto itself. I'm a firm believer in every single board meeting containing an executive session without CEO just so the board can have a chance to discuss things. I'm well aware though of the paranoia it can induce.

By: jerrycolonna

jerrycolonna — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:52:50 +0000

Kurnit made a good suggestion?! Well I'll be…;)
Ummm, Tripod?

By: jerrycolonna

jerrycolonna — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:48:58 +0000

Feld and Shakes…another deadly combination.

By: jerrycolonna

jerrycolonna — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:48:04 +0000

“t's useful to figure out earlier on who is the hardest nut to crack (or please), and keep in mind as benchmark for standard of delivery (within reason, since this can get out of hand).” Exactly right Eyal.

By: jerrycolonna

jerrycolonna — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:47:24 +0000

I'm too lazy to stand for a whole meeting but I like the spirit of the suggestion. Fewer meetings might work…I'm of two minds on that. I think four in person meetings is too few but perhaps six or eight is right with monthly calls in between. Some first time CEOs especially need a little extra care and feeding.