I recently spoke with VC Seth Levine about best practices for startup board meetings. Here are some top takeaways from our discussion:

Avoid ineffective meetings that seem like management status updates with everyone reporting out.

Keep board packages tight - no more than 25 slides focused on key data and insights.

Focus on the "why" not just the "what". Provide context and priorities.

Don't inundate the board with too much data to parse.

Structure meetings around 1-2 key strategic or tactical topics for in-depth discussion.

Ensure enough preparation time - send materials well in advance.

Have the CEO set the agenda and highlight focus areas needing input.

Limit attendees to those critical to the topics being covered.

Keep meetings reasonably concise - marathon 7 hour meetings rarely add value.

The goal is to create engagement and dialogue vs. just presenting information. Effective startup oversight requires focus on the right issues. What tips do you have for running great board meetings?

#startups #leadership #venturecapital #governance