Into the Boardroom: How to Get Your First Seat on a Corporate Board [Hardcover]

D. K. Light (Author), K. S. Pushor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

Mysterious and powerful, for decades America's boardrooms have remained closed to all but a handful of directors "in the club." Now, former Fortune 500 executives Dorothy Light and Kathleen Pushor reveal an insider's look at what goes on in the boardroom and how you can get there. CEOs and directors of some of America's most prestigious corporations share their stories of what really goes on behind closed doors, who gets selected to sit on a board and who doesn't, and why being a part of this influential group should be the goal of today’s up and coming executives, professionals and community leaders.

Into the Boardroom identifies the six qualifications common to successful candidates for a director’s seat and explains how you can fill in the blanks in your own skill set.

Hear from executives and directors at J.P. Morgan, Bank One, Nintendo, Avnet, Warner Lambert and others as they reveal the process by which they took their first seats on a corporate board. Listen in as they candidly answer your questions: What are the risks and rewards of being a member of the board? What specialized training or background do you need? Do you have to be a CPA? A lawyer? Is board service a possibility for those with a background in government, community service or academia? How much can you expect to earn as a director? Will you be successful as a board member and what liability would you have if the company gets into trouble?

Packed with hard-to-find information, inside tips, and sound advice, Into the Boardroom answers these questions and more as it guides a new generation of directors to their first seats on a corporate board.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Allegedly a simple primer for neophytes, there's [lots of]distilled wisdom for experienced board members and CEOs as well." -- Paul Volcker, Former Chairman, Federal Reserve Board

"...crystallizes the role and responsibilities of a corporate board member...A must-have for any prospective director's library." -- Julie Hembrock Daum, U.S. Board Services, Spencer Stuart

"Common sense, practical advice for the next generation of corporate directors." -- Jane Evans, Board Member, Georgia-Pacific Corporation

"For those looking for excellent career advice [this] is the book." -- William H. Gray, President, United Negro College Fund

From the Publisher

Why bother to read THIS book? Because what happens in the boardroom makes a difference.

Healthy, prosperous, innovative corporations are the backbone of a vibrant American economy. Successful corporations are the result of a unique, three-way relationship between the shareholders (who provide the capital), the management (who provide the vision and the human resources), and the customers (who purchase the goods or services produced). Board members balance these interests. When this engine is running smoothly the results are limited only by our imagination-we can create jobs, invent gadgets, feed the world, cure disease, make movies, or send a man to the moon. When this engine runs amok, as the recent disaster at Enron has made only too clear, the results can be devastating to entire communities as jobs are lost, retirement savings evaporate, and investor confidence is shaken to the core.

Into the Boardroom was written to introduce senior executives in corporations, entrepreneurs in small and mid-size companies, members of the professions, and those who serve our communities or teach at our universities, to the concepts of corporate governance and the process by which new directors are selected. This book can encourage a new generation of leaders to serve and prepare them to participate fully as they take their first seat on a corporate board.

Corporate America needs to take a long, hard look at the significance of effective corporate governance and the individuals in whom they have placed this important trust. The financial press appears ready to keep up the pressure, and the headlines, until they do. The result will be an ongoing need for talented, experienced individuals with the integrity and willingness to accept a seat at the table. Currently, more than 60,000 positions exist for the directors of companies traded on the NYSE, NASDAQ and AMEX exchanges. At least another 20,000 seats exist around the tables of America's largest privately held companies. Who occupies these seats? What do they do? How were they selected? Could one of them be you? Let's find out!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: Beaver's Pond Press (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931646295
• ISBN-13: 978-1931646291
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Information, April 22, 2002

By 

jessica r ayers (Louisville, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Boardroom: How to Get Your First Seat on a Corporate Board (Hardcover)

Into the Boardroom is a quick, easy read with lots of practical advice. For example, my charitable contributions were always random and small, but the advice of picking one organization and making a difference is great. I will also study their annual reports to check out the board members before I send the check. I borrowed this book from a friend and found it so empowering that I ordered my own copy...There are so many good ideas in the book I know I'll re-read it many times.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First -Class Primer, June 5, 2003

By 

Jack A Kirby (Rosemont, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Boardroom: How to Get Your First Seat on a Corporate Board (Hardcover)

Into The Boardroom is a first-class primer for individuals aspiring to board service. With current emphasis for independent directors whose disciplines may be outside of the corporate arena, Into The Boardroom offers valuable guidance. Its practical advice and insights are top flight.

Jack Arthur Kirby, Founder and Owner, Kirby Law Office

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" for any executive!, May 29, 2002

By 

Tom Guetzke (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Boardroom: How to Get Your First Seat on a Corporate Board (Hardcover)

Whether you are a seasoned Board veteran or looking for your first seat on a Corporate Board, this book is full of insightful information. I found it to be a great executive read - full of practical hands-on information and experiential antidotes from CEO's and Directors from America's most respected corporations. Recently, the dangers of the "good old boy" corporate board have made top headlines and contributed to the downfall of major Fortune 100 corporations. "Into the Boardroom" is packed with inside tips and sound advice that serves as a blueprint to guide the new generation of corporate boards to a higher level of success.