How can you help your clients communicate effectively with their board of directors?

1 Know your audience

Before any board meeting, your clients should do some research on the board members. What are their backgrounds, interests, expertise, and expectations? What are their main concerns and priorities? How do they prefer to receive information: verbally, visually, or numerically? By understanding their audience, your clients can tailor their communication style, tone, and content to suit the board's needs and preferences.

2 Plan your message

Your clients should have a clear and concise message that summarizes the main points they want to convey to the board. They should avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical details that might confuse or bore the board. They should also anticipate the questions that the board might ask, and prepare evidence-based answers that support their message. Your clients should practice their message, either with you or with a colleague, and get feedback on their delivery, clarity, and confidence.

3 Use visuals effectively

Your clients should use visuals, such as slides, charts, graphs, or images, to enhance their message and make it more memorable. However, they should avoid overcrowding their visuals with too much text, data, or colors. They should also make sure that their visuals are consistent, accurate, and relevant to their message. Your clients should rehearse with their visuals, and check that they work well on the screen or projector that they will use in the board meeting.

4 Engage with the board

Your clients should not treat their board presentation as a one-way monologue, but as a two-way dialogue. They should invite questions, comments, and feedback from the board members, and listen actively to their responses. They should also show enthusiasm, passion, and respect for their topic and for the board. They should use eye contact, gestures, and vocal variety to keep the board's attention and interest. Your clients should also be prepared to adapt their message or style if the board's mood or expectations change during the meeting.

5 Follow up after the meeting

Your clients should not forget to follow up with the board after the meeting. They should thank the board members for their time and attention, and provide any additional information or clarification that they requested. They should also ask for feedback on their presentation, and use it to improve their communication skills for future board meetings. Your clients should also keep the board updated on any progress or changes that relate to their message or objectives.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?