Expert Advisory Board

The Expert Advisory Board is the most common solution for companies that require input from external advisors to inform their internal decisions. Expert advisors are carefully selected for their range of knowledge and experience. In an Expert Advisory Board meeting, participants intensively explore a specific topic/problem and through insightful feedback and advice, formulate the best approach for addressing the company's challenge. Other terms used to describe such an Advisory Board include Expert Forum, Expert Panel and Expert Council.

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Customer Advisory Board (Business-to-Business)

Companies selling products and services Business-to-Business (B2B) often need to make decisions or evaluations that can benefit from the input of key customers or prospective customers. The solution is a B2B Customer Advisory Board. Advisors are typically individuals responsible for the evaluation and purchase of a client's product/service. The Board can include senior buyers, department heads, industry experts etc. These moderated meetings provide unparalleled insight and feedback for the client. Not to be confused with a focus group, which more commonly tests products and concepts, a B2B Customer Advisory Board produces a far higher level of qualitative information and opinion.

Customer Advisory Board (Consumer/End-User)

Companies often need to obtain information and feedback from consumer/customers, which vastly exceed what can be gained in a conventional focus group. The solution can be a Consumer/End-User Customer Advisory Board. Strategically profiled end-users participate in planned, extensive discussion. The outcome is insights, observations, and opinions that can be invaluable to a company's product development, sales and marketing decisions.

Super Advisory Board

As a solution to longer term and ongoing needs, Super Advisory Boards are distinct from other Advisory Boards since they are established with the intention of having the same Board members participate in multiple meetings, often over a number of years. The Super Advisory Board provides a continuum of expert insight and advice to a company, and is most commonly used to guide the long-term development of a particular project. The members of a Super Advisory Board, whether local, national or international, are frequently the very top names in their field. Companies feel more confident in making important decisions with the benefit of the advisors' perspectives. A Super Advisory Board offers a company an exceptional relationship-building opportunity over time. Other terms used to describe such a Board include Expert Steering Committee and Expert Strategic Committee.

Task Force Advisory Board

A Task Force is a type of Advisory Board that can be a potential solution when a company needs to effectively deal with a critical challenge. The Task Force, usually comprising top experts or key individuals, is typically charged with a defined "mission", which is the task of assessing a problem and formulating proposed recommendations to address and resolve it. A Task Force often meets more than once in a series of meetings, and by its self-explanatory title, participants recognize the importance of the mandate they are being given.

Stakeholder Advisory Board

A company often needs to inform major decisions with the benefit of input from key individuals representing a cross section of parties that can affect or be affected by the company's business. The best solution in this case may be a Stakeholders Advisory Board. This type of Advisory Board brings together a diverse group of people who can offer varying expert perspectives. Stakeholders could include key customers, end-users, major suppliers, industry consultants, regulators, etc.

Think Tank Advisory Board

When a company or organization wishes to gain insight regarding the "big picture", or needs to formulate strategies for managing particular problems or challenges, a Think Tank is a preferred solution. The term Think Tank is associated with thorough analysis, expert perspectives, and valuable advice. Members of a Think Tank usually bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that is channeled into robust discussion, and which produces exceptional information and guidance for the company.

Crisis Management Advisory Board

At one time or another, many businesses are confronted with a major unexpected crisis that often requires immediate guidance from different external experts. As a solution, companies organize a Crisis Management Advisory Board. The gravity of the crisis determines the timing, with such Advisory Boards often convened within days. The term Crisis Management Advisory Board is self-explanatory, and individuals invited to participate automatically recognize the urgency of the situation and the importance of their role.

Corporate Retreat Advisory Board

Many companies choose to conduct senior corporate retreats as a form of internal Advisory Board. At these meetings, individuals from within the company (and often from across the country and the world) come together to explore a range of future planning issues and corporate challenges through professionally moderated discussion. Such Retreats are also ideal occasions for innovative team-building exercises.

Lifecycle Management Advisory Board

Products and services have a natural lifecycle in the marketplace. If patents are involved, the life of a product can even face a specific expiration date. Therefore, companies often need to turn to external thought leaders, experts, and customers to explore means for extending the lifecycle as long as possible. Direction for this extension can take the form of new uses, new markets, new enhancements, new pricing, new positioning, and a wide range of other ways to ensure the longest possible longevity for a product or service. To accomplish this, the solution can be a Lifecycle Management Advisory Board.

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