CAB or no CAB? That is the question
Customer Advisory Boards (CABs) are a critical component of your marketing programs. But should you invest in CABs in a recession? Absolutely! Investing in your best customers is always good business....
View ArticleYour complete “customer advisory boards” resource center
I’ve been facilitating customer advisory boards, councils, and executive forums for more than 10 years. I’ve learned a lot, and offer a collection of articles on this subject. They share insights,...
View ArticleSetting up your 1st CAB? Here’s a sure-fire agenda
Lately, I’ve received many calls from executives looking to start up a customer advisory board program for their company. Inaugural CAB meetings are especially important because it marks the first...
View ArticleWelcome to CAB season – It’s time to start planning for your next Customer...
Sunshine is breaking through the recessionary clouds of the past few years. Signs of cautious optimism are sprouting everywhere, giving hope that 2012 will be a pivotal year that will show continued...
View ArticleKickstarting your advisory board
Have you started planning your fall Customer Advisory Board meeting? If not, now’s the perfect time to be planning your next CAB. In today’s highly competitive market, it is more important than ever to...
View ArticleThe operations manual for running customer advisory boards
Mike Gospe, professional facilitator and KickStart Alliance co-founder, has just published a two-volume set of books that demystifies customer advisory boards (CAB). Complete with customer stories,...
View ArticleWhat to expect from a facilitator
Some people believe that facilitating a customer advisory board or business meeting is easy. It is not. In truth, it is easy to be a poor facilitator. If you are facilitating a business meeting...
View Article3 ground rules for employees who attend advisory board meetings
There are many ground rules that employees should follow to ensure a smooth, well-run advisory board meeting. Here are 3 of them. 1) Don’t sell A most awkward moment occurred in London in a global...
View ArticleHow to get CAB members to give relevant feedback on something they haven’t...
This is a great question. Sometimes companies want to test new product concepts with their customer advisory board. But if customers haven’t seen or used the product yet, how should this subject be...
View ArticleCustomer advisory boards vs executive briefings: what’s the difference?
Customer advisory boards (CAB) are not meant to be executive briefings, yet they are often treated as such to the dismay of the attending customers. Like the hammer and screwdriver in your toolbox,...
View ArticleCustomer Advisory Board meetings: “host” vs “facilitator” roles
When it comes to customer advisory board meetings, the terms “host” and “facilitator” are often interchanged. However, they are very different. Here’s how to think about these roles and who should hold...
View ArticleWin/loss analysis: 5 questions to answer before conducting interviews
There’s a lot of information on win/loss analysis available online. This blog post summarizes the “best of the best” advice available. Read on to see 5 questions you should consider before embarking on...
View ArticleThe NDA and the Customer Advisory Board
Congratulations on founding your Customer Advisory Board (CAB). But how do you ensure a safe and secure format for discussing delicate, strategic topics? Read on to learn about three unspoken truths...
View ArticleIt’s time to start planning for your Fall CAB
If you are thinking about hosting a Customer Advisory Board meeting sometime in September – November, now’s the time to start planning. Here’s your first set of action items. CABs are not just another...
View Article3 signs your CAB may be ready for a refresh
The most successful customer advisory boards (CAB) are dynamic, filled with topical content and energized conversation. Even so, if your company has been running a CAB for a few years you may be...
View ArticleThinking about forming an advisory board? Here’s how to get your CAB...
With the end of the summer, many companies will turn their attention to building their 2015 marketing and sales plans. And that includes thinking about forming a Customer Advisory Board. If CABs are...
View Article100 Customer Advisory Boards (CABs) and counting! 3 important lessons I’ve...
For the past 12 years, I’ve been working with hi-tech B2B companies to help them plan and facilitate their customer advisory boards. I recently crossed the threshold of 100 CABs. As I look back, here...
View ArticleCustomer Advisory Board FAQs
Customer Advisory Boards (CABs) are becoming more and more popular. And we know you have questions. That’s why we’ve started producing a series of short video FAQs. Here are a few: For more video...
View ArticleHow do you know if yours is a world-class Customer Advisory Board?
What separates world-class customer advisory board (CAB) meetings from the rest? Since 2002 we’ve helped companies design and facilitate more than 100 CABs and executive roundtable (ERT) meetings. And...
View ArticleSurge your Sales through your Customer Advisory Board (CAB)
A Customer Advisory Board (CAB) is not a sales meeting. Yet, it will have a profound effect on your sales plans -- if you do it right! The post Surge your Sales through your Customer Advisory Board...
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