How we drive Value

We Focus, Drive and Track

  1. Shared targets – set with founders, coordinated by the Chair

  2. Action tracking – log and follow through with BoardOps

  3. Commercial traction – SalesOps built for Operators

  4. Mutual value – ongoing Co-Reflect survey and feedback

6 Essential Formats

These formats are unique to the Operator Board. They combine advisory guidance with hands-on execution, ensuring founders get both strategic insight and practical support between meetings.

    • Kick off before any work starts – ensure everyone understands the product and the value it creates

    • Led by founders

    • ~1 hour (or as needed)

    • Do as frequent as needed when product evolves

    • Keep the startup strategy crystal clear to Operators – involve and co-build (Lead: Founder)

    • Set and align joint goals for Founders + Operators (Lead: Chair)

    • ~1 hour (or as needed)

    • Do periodically when needed and when lost and in need of help or when it changes 

    • Purpose:

      Problem-solving & action-oriented

      Not an exam for founders or Operators, not just reporting

    • How:

      Always have an agenda – prepared by the Chair with founder + Operator input

      Share materials and updates beforehand to use time well

      Agree few actions (log them in BoardOps) but follow up on them before/after the meeting

      Bi-monthly, ~1 hour

    • Tip:

      Do a quick 15-min Operator-only debrief:

      Did we add value?

      Where do founders need help

      Lead: Chair

    • Most value often happens outside meetings

    • Frequent touchpoints (we use email for ease and inclusion and quick calls) drive real impact - proven by research

    • Monthly, ~45 mins (Lead: Chair)

    • Purpose: Share learnings, help each other, solve problems

    • Quarterly online survey

    • One core question: To what degree is this a meaningful and value adding relationship?

Tips on creating value in Operator Boards

Based on experience, research and training in MIT Mentor program

    • Create space for founders and fellow Operators to share openly. Listening deeply often uncovers the real problem faster than speaking.

    • Alignment is valuable, but time is even more so. Add new insights instead of echoing what’s already been said.

    • Controversial - but often possible when not thought to be. Speed matters in startups. Avoid delays - move discussions to action quickly and keep momentum high.

    • Too many metrics dilute attention. Select only the most critical KPIs and hold each other accountable on those.

    • Share lessons you’ve lived through, not just theories. Before offering advice, check: “Have I actually faced this situation?”

    • Admitting what you don’t know builds trust. It creates room for others to contribute their expertise.

    • Often advising and teaching is best complimented by showing how it’s done. Send that mail, join a customer call with the founders, visit a customer or draft a quick outline. While adding tremendous value, often the Operator also gains new perspectives, enabling an even more valuable relationship onwards.