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Secrets to Success
Deborah Cole Micek
and John-Paul Micek
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Blogging aids discussions between board members
CORPORATE board members are usually very busy people. They have a lot on their plate, often running their own business, and to top it all off -- they're not usually compensated for the time they dedicate to board activities.
While this is true for both profit and nonprofit companies, nonprofits stand to gain the most by fully engaging their corporate board members. With nonprofits, the guidance and direction of corporate board members can be even more valuable since funding for other outside sources of guidance (from consultants or business coaches) is likely to be limited.
The bottom line is that, the more steps you can take to make it easier for board members to contribute and fully participate, the more they'll be fully engaged and give their all.
Part of the answer lies in a private "Board Members' Business Blog"
Putting together a private password-protected business blog for these corporate board members creates a win-win-win scenario.
Win #1: For the corporate board members
The corporate board members win because they can advise, guide, and provide input "virtually." That means interacting more and meeting in-person less. Since many members on the boards of nonprofit companies are fulfilling some of their personal desires to contribute, they'll appreciate being able to contribute even more thanks to a high-efficiency business blog.
Win #2: For your company
With this type of business blog, board members have more time to digest topics, comments, and conversations. The company wins because you're getting well-thought-out direction from the people on the board. The company also wins because applying a business blog in this way creates more of a mastermind environment where board members can build on and expand on each other's ideas in a more creative, unrushed manner.
Win #3: For your clients
Your clients win because you draw out more effective solutions and ideas from the board. At the same time your business blog allows your team to put those ideas into action instead of waiting for decisions from lengthy in-person board meetings.
On top of all these wins, my favorite benefit has to be the archiving of all contributions and guidance from board members -- organized and categorized for easy reference. One of the biggest losses in efficiency and impact that I've witnessed with corporate boards is when the board membership turns over. Now with your board-member business blog, all the invaluable historical data generated by your advisory board is available for new members to draw on for years to come.
With proper planning, the right structure, and a few simple strategies you can fully harness the power of business blogging for your company. Remember -- business blogging is not just about marketing!
John-Paul Micek is the lead business coach at RPM Success Group Inc. Reach him at
JPM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.
Deborah Cole Micek, chief executive officer of RPM Success Group, is a business success coach and life strategist. Reach her at
DCM@RPMsuccess.com or toll-free at (888) 334-8151.