I met another 'door-opener' this morning - Susan Schiffer Stautberg. Susan is President of PartnerCom Corporation, which assembles and manages Advisory Boards globally for businesses, governments, and non-profits and co-founder of On Board Bootcamp, which provides an insider’s guide on how to be selected to be a Corporate, Private Company or Advisory Board Director. With only 15 percent of Fortune 500 companies having female directors in 2008, Susan's assistance in opening the big oak doors is clearly needed! And as Susan has commented, the skills necessary to be a board member or land the board position, "aren't immediately apparent, such as knowing that interviewing for a board seat is different than landing a regular job."

I'll admit it, I feel I stumbled into and onto the 2 not-for-profit board positions I've held. So, what are some tips from Susan for someone aspiring to be in the corporate boardroom - and taking a more thoughtful, considered approach than mine:

1. Google yourself. Are you visible? Do you have a presence, as "presence" matters. A Google search is today's due diligence, proof that you have credibility. How to increase your "Googlability"? Susan's advice is to write articles and opinion pieces (starting with your personal blog or submitting expert articles on 85 Broads). Take a look at your online profile (this site, LinkedIn), does it really tell the world what you do and what you know?

2. 90 seconds. What's your elevator pitch? No getting away from this - you have to be able to name the one credential or expertise that makes you stand out - in 90 seconds.

3. Get some experience (and visibility) by sitting on an advisory or not-for-profit board!

4. Be curious. Research how boards operate, what's on the mind of directors and what keeps CEOs up at night. And when you have a chance to meet the CEO, ask the question!

Curious about what it's like to be on a board and what's on the mind of board members? Blythe McGarvie, an experienced corporate board member (Accenture, Pepsi Bottling) is the keynote speaker at the April 7 Power Networking Breakfast in New York.

For more about OnBoard Bootcamps (next program is April 6) http://www.onboardbootcamps.com/index.html

Wondering if you have expertise and anything to say? Find your voice by attending a workshop conducted by The OpEd Project http://www.theopedproject.org/

"Googlability"? Yes, write blogs and submit expert articles on 85 Broads! Also subscribe to HARO - you may just get quoted (and increase your "googlability") http://helpareporter.com/