Buke Cuhadar, vice president at the Global Entrepreneurship Network, on the steps necessary to becoming a GEN country affiliate at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Medellin, Colombia.

1. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
MEDELLÍN 2016
#GEC2016
@GECGLOBAL
GEC.CO

2. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
Buke Cuhadar
Vice President, Global Entrepreneurship Network
HOW TO BECOME A
A GEN [COUNTRY] AFFILIATE

3. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
BACKGROUND READING
Review in detail the GEN Country Stage 1 Documents:
• GEN Country Intro Packet
• About GEN - GEN overview presentaSon
• Key Ecosystem Actors template
• GEN Country Sample Strategic Plan

4. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
IMPORTANT FACTS
year-round national
leadership to align
ecosystem players,
programs &
information to better
support
entrepreneurs
streamlining efforts,
minimizing
competition among
those with limited
resources, &
maximizing impact
…amplifying
outreach &
increasing
awareness
acting as a hub for
sharing knowledge
& experience
…evaluating &
endorsing tried and
tested programs
serving as a source
of quantifiable data
& qualitative
information
…connecting to
research,
communities &
programs that
deliver high impact
entrepreneurial
performance
[Country] led and
controlled
…with one board
seat assigned to
GEN Global
IS ... Provides… And…By… And…
GEN [Country]……

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NOW…ON BOARD?
You need to be 100% on board with GEN’s value
Reasons why you should create a board:
• Beyond CelebraSon
• Ready to implement, execute, and expand
• Formality - rigor and discipline
• Accountability
• Increased funding opportuniSes

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MORE BACKGROUND READING
Read:
1. The Manual GEN [Country] AcSng Managing
Director Handbook, a full guide that outlines GEN
[Country] roles and responsibiliSes
2. The Board Director Guide, a full guide for Board
Directors that outlines roles and responsibiliSes

7. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
PROSPECTS & ECOSYSTEM MAP
You need to:
• Complete Key Ecosystem Actors outline with potenSal Board of
Directors and Advisory Board Members and idenSfy top 10 Board
of Directors candidates.
• Be INCLUSIVE and think beyond your immediate network
• Have at least one person from GEN Global on your Board of
Directors

8. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
DON’T FORGET TO CONSIDER!
• The Leaders
• Entrepreneurs
• Feeders
• Support Professionals
• Government Officials
(Na$onal, State, Local)
• Colleges & UniversiSes
• Startup Support Programs
• Accelerators, Incubators
• Shared Workspaces
• Media & CommunicaSons
• Angels, VCs, Crowdfunders
• Mentors
• Mentor Program Leaders

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SELECTING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Select candidates with pertinent & diverse experiences
• Include individuals who can provide balanced & independent judgment
• Look for board members with relevant contacts (Do not focus solely on raising
money or using their stature for credibility)
• Recruit members that are agile, able to invest time, and can respond swiftly
to ground level conditions
• Identify one “lightning rod” member that processes passion, gravitas, and
infallible credibility
• Remember the 3 W’s: Work, Wealth, and Wisdom

10. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
You need to share and discuss this list with GEN Global
SHARE IT WITH US!

11. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENT
You need to be officially assigned by GEN Global to
become the GEN [Country] AcSng Managing Director or
a Founding Board Member

12. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
STAGE 2 DOCUMENTS – to be customized
• Advisory Board Member Info Packet
• Board Director InvitaSon Le`er
• Board Director Info packet (for prospec$ve governing board directors)
• Sample GEN [Country] Contract
• GEN [Country] Branding Guide
• GEN Branding Marks & IP

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STRATEGIC PLAN
You work on your strategic plan and finalize the list of
potenSal board members as well as the Advisory Board
members accordingly

14. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
CONSIDER PRESENTING TO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• OrientaSon – governance documents
• Overview of organizaSon and its operaSons
• Roster of board and commi`ee structure
• Strengths, weaknesses and current challenges
• Familiarize with your laws and regulatory framework governing NGO’s and
think about what works best for your country and structure

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REACH OUT & FOLLOW UP WITH
POTENTIAL BOARD MEMBERS
• Use GEN PowerPoint
• Use Board InformaSon Documents
• Customize sample Board & Advisory Board invitaSon le`ers
• Share customized full Board documents with those interested

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FIRST INOFFICIAL BOARD MEETING
OrientaAon
§ governance documents
Share your strategic plan
§ Overview of organizaSon and its operaSons
§ Roster of board and commi`ee structure
§ Strengths, weaknesses and current challenges

17. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
BOARD OF DIRECTORS TIPS
• Keep the size of the board nimble and appropriate for the size of the
organizaSon.
• Nominate an experienced chairman to ensure meeSngs are scheduled,
and that meeSng agendas & minutes are documented & circulated
• As the GEN grows, insStute standing commi`ees to analyze issues in
depth & make recommendaSons – ExecuSve, Development, Audit &
Finance, Personnel & CompensaSon, Governance & NominaSng, and
Strategic Planning.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS TIPS 2
• Meet every 3 months, up to 4 hours, to track new developments, idenSfy
opportuniSes, and solve challenging issues
• MeeSng should include CEO/ED & CFO reports, updates from key senior
execuSves, and should factor in ample Sme to discuss strategic issues
• Ensure that board members feel a sense of commitment & are
passionately engaged in the organizaSon’s mission

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IMPORTANT: GEN GLOBAL CONTRACT
• Once the organizaSon is in place the official contract
will be signed with GEN Global!

20. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
“The key to successful leadership is
influence, not authority.”
~ Kenneth H. Blanchard

21. MEDELLÍN 2016 # G E C 2 0 1 6 | @ G E C G L O B A L | G E C . C O
MEDELLÍN 2016
#GEC2016
@GECGLOBAL
GEC.CO