---
name: customer-advisory-board
description: "Plans customer advisory board programs with recruitment criteria, meeting structure, and feedback integration processes for strategic input."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Customer Advisory Board

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Plan and launch a customer advisory board (CAB) for strategic input
- Define recruitment criteria and member selection processes
- Design meeting agendas and feedback integration workflows
- Create a structured program that deepens customer relationships while informing business strategy

**DO NOT** use this skill for focus groups, beta testing programs, or customer community building. This is for a formal advisory board of select customers.

---

## Core Principle

A CUSTOMER ADVISORY BOARD IS A STRATEGIC ASSET, NOT A FOCUS GROUP — THE RIGHT 5-10 CUSTOMERS GIVING HONEST INPUT TWICE A YEAR IS MORE VALUABLE THAN 1,000 SURVEY RESPONSES.

---

## Phase 1: Program Design

Define the purpose and structure of the advisory board.

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Business stage** | "How established is your business?" | 2+ years |
| **Customer base** | "How many active customers do you have?" | 50+ |
| **Advisory goal** | "What decisions do you want customer input on? (product, strategy, positioning)" | Product direction |
| **Meeting format** | "Virtual or in-person?" | Virtual |
| **Frequency** | "How often should the board meet?" | Quarterly |
| **Board size** | "How many members?" | 5-8 |

### Program Charter

```
## Customer Advisory Board Charter

**Purpose:** [One sentence — what the board exists to do]
**Scope:** [What topics the board will advise on]
**Out of scope:** [What the board will NOT decide — the board advises, you decide]

**Board size:** [5-8 members]
**Term length:** [1 year, renewable]
**Meeting frequency:** [Quarterly, 60-90 minutes]
**Format:** [Virtual / In-person / Hybrid]

**What members get:**
- Direct influence on product/service direction
- Early access to new features or services
- Networking with other customers
- [Optional: discount, recognition, exclusive access]

**What you get:**
- Honest, strategic feedback from invested customers
- Validation of business direction
- Deeper relationships with key accounts
- Testimonial and case study opportunities
```

**GATE: Confirm the charter before recruitment.**

---

## Phase 2: Recruit Members

Select and invite advisory board members.

### Selection Criteria

```
## Member Selection Criteria

| Criterion | Weight | Description |
|-----------|--------|-------------|
| Customer tenure | 20% | 6+ months as a customer |
| Engagement level | 25% | Active user with demonstrated investment |
| Strategic fit | 25% | Represents a key segment or use case |
| Willingness to share | 20% | Has given feedback before, communicative |
| Diversity of perspective | 10% | Different industries, sizes, or use cases |
```

### Invitation Template

```
Subject: An invitation to join our Customer Advisory Board

Hi [Name],

I am personally inviting you to join [Business Name]'s Customer Advisory Board — a small group of [5-8] customers who will directly influence the future of [product/service].

**Why you:** [Specific reason — their feedback, their success, their perspective]

**What this involves:**
- [Quarterly] [virtual] meetings, [60-90 minutes] each
- Open dialogue on product direction, features, and strategy
- Your honest input shapes what we build next

**What you get:**
- Direct voice in product decisions
- Early access to new features
- [Any additional benefits]

**Commitment:** [1 year], with the option to renew

Interested? Reply to this email and I will send the details.

[Name]
```

### Target Composition

Aim for diversity across these dimensions:
- Customer size (small, medium, large)
- Use case variety
- Tenure (newer + experienced customers)
- Geography (if relevant)
- At least 1 constructively critical customer (not just fans)

**GATE: Confirm member list before proceeding.**

---

## Phase 3: Meeting Structure

Design the recurring meeting format.

### Meeting Agenda Template

```
## Customer Advisory Board Meeting — [Date]

**Duration:** 90 minutes
**Attendees:** [Member list] + [Internal team]

| Time | Topic | Type | Lead |
|------|-------|------|------|
| 0:00 | Welcome and updates since last meeting | Info | [Host] |
| 0:10 | [Strategic topic 1 — e.g., product roadmap feedback] | Discussion | [Host] |
| 0:35 | [Strategic topic 2 — e.g., new market opportunity input] | Discussion | [Host] |
| 0:60 | Open forum — what are you seeing in your business? | Discussion | All |
| 0:75 | Summary of actions and commitments | Close | [Host] |
| 0:85 | Next meeting date and topic preview | Admin | [Host] |
```

### Meeting Guidelines

- Prepare 2-3 focused topics per meeting (not 10)
- Share topics and any pre-read 1 week before the meeting
- Facilitate — do not present. Members should talk more than you
- Take detailed notes — assign a dedicated note-taker
- Record the meeting (with permission) for team members who cannot attend

### Post-Meeting Follow-Up

```
Subject: Advisory Board Meeting Summary — [Date]

Hi [Board Members],

Thank you for your time and insight today. Here is a summary:

**Key discussions:**
1. [Topic] — [Summary of input and perspectives]
2. [Topic] — [Summary]

**What we are doing with your feedback:**
- [Specific action we will take]
- [Specific action]

**Next meeting:** [Date] — Topic preview: [Topic]

As always, if anything comes to mind between meetings, reach out anytime.

[Name]
```

---

## Phase 4: Integration

Ensure advisory board input drives actual decisions.

### Feedback Integration Process

```
## After Each Meeting

1. Compile meeting notes into structured format within 48 hours
2. Tag each insight by category (product, marketing, strategy, operations)
3. Present key insights to relevant internal team members
4. Assign actions to specific owners with deadlines
5. Track completion and report back to the board at the next meeting
```

### Annual Program Review

At the end of the term:
1. Did the board provide actionable insights?
2. Which decisions were influenced by board input?
3. Should any members rotate off? Who should be added?
4. Is the meeting frequency right?
5. Are members still engaged and finding value?

### Member Recognition

- Thank members publicly (with permission) in newsletters or on social media
- Provide an annual summary of how their input shaped the business
- Send a personal thank-you note at the end of each term

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **All fans, no critics** — a board of cheerleaders gives no useful feedback. Include 1-2 constructively critical members.
- **Too many members** — more than 10 members makes discussion unwieldy. Quality over quantity.
- **Presenting, not listening** — the meeting is for THEIR input, not your pitch deck. Facilitate discussion.
- **Ignoring board feedback** — asking for advice and not acting on it destroys trust and participation.
- **No follow-through** — always report back what you did with their feedback. Close the loop.

---

## Recovery

- **Cannot find enough willing members:** Start with 3 members. A small advisory board is better than none.
- **Members stop attending:** Check if meetings provide value. Shorten meetings, improve topics, or offer a personal check-in.
- **Board input conflicts with business strategy:** Thank them for the perspective, explain your reasoning, and move forward. Advisory means advice, not authority.
- **User has too few customers for a board:** Informal advisory conversations with 3-5 key customers achieve the same result without the formal structure.
- **One member dominates meetings:** Set facilitation norms. Use round-robin for input. Address privately if needed.
