You've heard of fantasy football, but have you considered your fantasy board of directors? It may seem like a pointless exercise, but we think it just may help you focus on what qualities you value in your business partners, your employees and yourself.
BusinessNewsDaily asked a few small-business owners to tell us who they’d have on their board of directors if they could. Their answers may surprise you, but they also may inspire you to think about what you value most in your business partners.
Here's what they had to say:
It would have to be Warren Buffett. Not only because he is one of the world’s richest men, but also because Buffett made his wealth from so many different kinds of businesses. Plus, he is an experienced board member. Who could beat him?
— A. Colin Flood, tampatechwriter.com
After much consultation, we decided that our ideal business adviser is Scrooge McDuck. He’s savvy with money, has great business sense, and we would get to come over and swim in his money pool. He worked hard for his fortune (beating his rival, John D. Rockerduck, to become the money behind the city of Duckburg), and we feel that his business acumen would be a great asset to our organization.
— Jasmine Davis, contentfactory.com
If we could choose anyone for our board of directors, it would be Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes. We would choose Blake because Blake and the TOMS Shoes team have a solid mission "to show how together we can create a better tomorrow by taking compassionate action today," and they live this mission each and every day.
— Jamie Pritscher, thatscaring.com
The business adviser would be Andrew Carnegie, Scottish immigrant who came to the USA penniless and died the wealthiest man in the United States after founding U.S. Steel. He understood people, how they think and the difference between those who fail and those who succeed. He had an incredible work ethic, drive and vision.
— Sean Manning, tradingacademy.com
I'd pick Jesus to be my board of directors. He's an all-around, go-to guy who's got the know-how of what to do in every situation. A good, old-fashioned honest source.
— Kathleen Patterson, kbpinteriors.com
I would choose Robert Allen because he understands the concept of team and masterminding; he's innovative; he came up through the small-business ranks, and he’s an effective motivator.
— James Davenport, aama2010.com
If I could have the wish granted to have one business adviser of my choice, dead or alive, it would be Mark Twain. His words of wisdom are as true today as when he wrote them. And he also taught wonderful business lessons. His character Tom Sawyer turned work into play and actually sold chances to whitewash a fence, the job his aunt had given him to do as punishment. Mark Twain made it to California for the gold rush and to Vienna and London and Paris. His connections would be valuable, as well as his creativity, networking skills and ability to succeed in a variety of business ventures.
— Julie Northcutt, caregiverlist.com
Here's one I'm sure you didn't expect: Lucille Ball — yes, the comedy actress. She had a reputation with people who worked with her as being a perfectionist, detail-oriented and totally focused. She often told directors who were working with her to "focus on the money" — meaning to focus on her, as she was the one who people were paying to see.
— Myra McElhaney, myramcelhaney.com
Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn. He's built and grown LinkedIn to be a must-have tool and resource. And he's now taking the company through IPO. His expertise from having been there, done that through all phases for a start-up, along with his connections and willingness to make angel investments, would make Reid an ideal board of director for MarketingZone.com.
— Derrith Lambka, marketingzone.com
A person I would love to have on my board of directors would be Alexander Hamilton. He was not only a brilliant political strategist; he was also an original thinker.
— Greg Monterrosa, myllc.com
Steve Jobs. I do not think there is another person on the planet with his vision, creativity, and sheer force of will to make things happen. I can't imagine a product/design-oriented business that wouldn't benefit from his uncanny genius.
— Michael Hess, skoobadesign.com
I would have to say I would pick Dan Kennedy as my business adviser. He is a brilliant marketer, copywriter and doesn’t stand for any BS. He is prosperity-focused no matter what the economy and focuses on marketing to the affluent. I could model him in my own marketing to successful business owners who are my perfect clients.
— Stacey Hylen, businessoptimizercoach.com
My pick would be Thomas Edison, simply because of the diversity of products he introduced into the marketplace. You would be hard-pressed to find a more successful “product developer” in the history of the modern world.
— Tom Watson, cleaning-4-profit.com
Peter Shankman. He is an entrepreneur in all senses of the word. He has started businesses, sold businesses, been an adviser, knows everyone or makes an effort to meet them, and is a marketing guru. Plus, he is a driven, down-to-earth person.
— Holly Keough, vermontestateplanning.com
I would choose Eugene M. Schwartz, author of the book "Breakthrough Advertising." Mr. Schwartz was an old-school copywriter and, like many copywriters, he understood people and why they do the things they do. I would want him because of his understanding of the overall marketing and advertising process.
— Ken Thompson, writingbyken.com