Most small business owners highlight their mentors and advisors when talking about the reasons for their company’s success. Many choose to set up a client formal board that meets quarterly to discuss issues in their business and form tighter relationships.

 Here are some key “do’s and don’ts” for creating your own client board.

  • Limit membership in your board to 6. They should be clients who have been advocates of the company  and who are influential with others in the industry.
  • Establish  ground rules. Explain that you care deeply about client satisfaction and that you are gathering an elite group of clients to provide feedback on a quarterly basis.
  • Prepare an agenda. Distribute ahead of time and ask them to prepare feedback on something.
  • Follow up with your board on changes. If you make changes to your business based on feedback from the board, be sure to inform them at the next meeting.
  • Rotate board members every two years . This will ensure fresh ideas and the creation of new relationships.

Do you use a board of client advisors? How does it work?