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I have a question for the CAB experts… How do you navigate having participants who consider each other competitors? We are developing a CAB at my company and have two enterprise retail companies we’d like to include. One of those companies considers the other a competitor and is very resistant to joining anything that involves them. Any suggestions for how to navigate this would be appreciated!
Is there a way to have them both participate, but ensure they’re on separate calls, for example? If one is on the ET/EMEA one, then the other is on the PT/APAC one
^^ +1 to this idea. Making sure they’re both able to participate in some way is still a win. We had a CAB and a Product Advisory Council across our different products so the PAC was always a good fallback if there were conflicting interests.
But the biggest thing is transparency and it seems like you’re already checking that box.
Separate calls is a great idea @Joel Primack. If you honestly can’t manage to split up the group because it would be too much work, I’d probably go with the company that has the most potential to impact the CAB goals.
That being said, perhaps the stand out company could have a 1:1 with you to discuss their ideas and feedback, maybe even with someone they’d love to have time with, from your company?
+1 @Mary Green (Owner CMAweekly)
I'd add having candid conversations with both parties to ensure they're heard and that you work together to problem solve - invite them to lean in and give their feedback to drive mutually beneficial value.
I like the ideas shared here. And having candid conversations and making sure the companies are comfortable joining the CAB is key.
Another point here is that the CAB is for guidance to the company, not governance of the company. No one will be asked or expected to divulge company secrets at the CAB meetings.
At some CAB meetings, we've seen a company share a legal statement (anti-trust statement) at the beginning of the meeting, reminding everyone to refrain from sharing sensitive or confidential information.
We’ve seen that outside of the CAB meeting, a different level of conversation is happening (private conversations).
Another tip is to use Chatham House Rule at CAB meetings – no statement is attributed to an individual or company, it’s “The CAB believes that…”
So you can emphasize these points with the customers you want to join the CAB.
These are all great suggestions! Thank you all so much! ❤️