Welcome to our in-depth interview with Martin MacKinnon, an experienced board member, advisor and entrepreneur with an extensive background spanning across non-profit organizations, private and publicly traded companies, as well as government organizations. MacKinnon shares his insights on the oft-underestimated value of board membership, the inherent nature of disruption in the IT industry, and notably, the hiring and firing of CEOs at the discretion of a company's board. He also dives into his most impactful decisions as an executive, which include the building of a successful IT company and the replacement of a CEO in a large company.

What are your areas of expertise?

I have worked for, or served on, boards throughout my career, spanning non-profit organizations, for-profit companies (both private and publicly traded companies, TMX), as well as government organizations. My observation is that the role of a board member is surprisingly similar regardless of the structure. I am not sure if this similarity is well understood.

What's your main motivation for being an advisor?

Being a board member can provide so much value to a company. It's surprising how often I have been told, "I never thought of that", which to me is the greatest compliment a director can receive.

What types of situations are you capable of advising on?

Speaking as a board member of the organization, my mentor, who chaired many boards of large publicly traded companies, said to me that the most important job of the board is to hire and fire the CEO. The CEO's job is to build shareholder value, full stop. This has proven to be extremely accurate.

Do you see any disruptive trends on the horizon in your industry or position?

Of course, having co-founded an IT company, our rule was simple: if we are doing things the same way we did six months ago, we are probably in trouble, we just may not know it yet. Disruption is needed - it is your asset or your liability, you decide!

Tell me about the most impactful project or decision you've been involved in as an executive.

As an entrepreneur, building a successful company is so fulfilling that there's almost nothing that compares to it! Another significant expertise of mine is having to replace a CEO of a large company. I was new to the board but recognized the need. It was difficult, but it turned out that many senior staff said afterward, "It was about time".

In conclusion

Martin MacKinnon is an exceptional professional whose expansive career spans across various sectors. He brings to the fore an enormous depth of knowledge, expertise, and experience, having worked for non-profit organizations, for-profit companies, both privately-held and publicly traded companies (TMX), as well as government organizations. MacKinnon’s keen observation regarding the surprising uniformity of the Board member role across different organizational structures is a testament to his profound understanding of institutional governance. As such, Mr. MacKinnon presents exceptional potential for advisory positions. Leveraging these skills, Martin MacKinnon is available for hire as an advisor on AdvisoryCloud. His wealth of experience and broad understanding of different organizational structures make him an invaluable asset to any team. Be sure to capitalize on this opportunity to enhance the effectiveness of your Board and the success of your organization.