First Meeting Agenda Template

Advisor: [Name] · Date: [Date] · Duration: 30 minutes · Format: [Video / Phone / Coffee]

Send this agenda 24–48 hours ahead so they can prepare. Bring a notebook; ask permission to take brief notes.

1. Opening (3 min)

• Thank them for their time.
• Confirm time box: "I have us until [end time] — I'll watch the clock."
• Optional: "Is it okay if I jot a few notes for myself?"

Your one-liner:

I'm [role/context] working toward [goal]. I invited you because of your experience with [specific area].

2. Your context (5 min) — keep it tight

Avoid a full career history. Lead with the decision, not the biography.

3. Focused questions (15 min)

Pick 2–3 questions max. Examples:

1. When you faced [similar situation], what did you undervalue at the time?
2. If you were in my position, what would you do in the next 90 days?
3. Who else should I be learning from in [domain]?
4. What question am I not asking that I should be?

Space for their answers:

• Q1:
• Q2:
• Q3:

4. Clarify next steps (5 min)

• Did I understand your main recommendation? (play it back in one sentence)
• Is there a resource, intro, or follow-up that makes sense?
• Would another conversation in [3–6 months] be welcome, or should I update you by email only?

5. Close (2 min)

• Express specific gratitude: reference one insight that landed.
• Confirm how you'll follow up (email summary within 48 hours).

Post-meeting (you — within 48 hours)

• Send thank-you email with 3-bullet summary and your next action
• Log takeaways in your advisory board tracker
• Schedule any promised follow-up on your calendar