Who This Helps
This is for founders and operators who need to move fast. If you're tired of long board decks that lead to more questions than decisions, the Board Finance & Runway Narrative course gives you the structure. It helps you define clear triggers so you know exactly when to act.
Mini Case
Viktor's SaaS company had 8 months of runway. His board kept asking, 'What's the plan if growth slows?' He spent a week building a massive model. Instead, he defined a single board-level signal: Net Revenue Retention dropping below 105%. He then built a simple scenario envelope. If NRR hits 103%, he knows to activate a specific cost-review plan that buys back 90 days. This clarity got his plan approved in one meeting.
Do This Now (5 Steps)
- Define your one signal. What's the single most important metric your board should watch this quarter? Revenue growth rate? Cash burn? Pick one.
- Sketch two scenarios. Write down a 'base case' and a 'stress case' for that signal. Use real numbers, like 'Growth at 20%' and 'Growth at 10%'.
- List your triggers. For each scenario, what specific number is your 'go' signal? Example: If monthly burn exceeds $120k for two months, trigger Plan B.
- Branch your actions. For each trigger, what are the next 3 concrete actions? (e.g., 1. Freeze non-essential hires, 2. Review all software spend, 3. Schedule customer check-ins with the sales team).
- Draft your one-pager. Put the signal, the two scenarios, and the top trigger with its action branch on a single page. That's your starter board memo.
Avoid These Traps
- The Kitchen Sink: Don't try to model every possible variable. Focus on the one or two that change your decisions.
- Vague Triggers: 'If things get bad' is not a trigger. 'If cash balance falls below $500k on the 15th of the month' is.
- No Owner: Every action branch needs a person responsible. An unassigned task is just a wish.
- Forgetting the Upside: Plan for things going wrong, but also define what you'll do if you beat plan by 15%. Celebrate the good stuff too.
Your Win by Friday
By Friday, you can have a one-page finance memo that does the heavy lifting for you. You'll walk into your next board sync or leadership meeting with compact evidence, clear triggers, and a path to approved execution. No more endless debate. Just a shared map for what to do next. That's the power of a disciplined runway narrative.