What is a Board of Directors For? | Mike Olson | Monktoberfest 2023

Technologists founding companies often focus on technology, products, co-founders, teams, customers, and markets, yet they frequently overlook the crucial aspect of building a good board of directors. This oversight can be significant since the board plays key roles, including hiring and firing the CEO. The board serves as an invaluable external brain for the CEO, offering insights and advice on critical areas not yet fully developed within the company. The presentation explores both the theory and practice of forming an effective board, drawing on experiences from founding roles at Sleepycat and Cloudera, and participation in various commercial and non-profit boards. This talk provides guidance on the deliberate and strategic formation of a board that can significantly impact a company's direction and success.