Several days before the presentation lobby the board members to present your case and gain their support. Establish any dissenters and adjust your presentation. You will be confident of enough supporters in the meeting to gain commitment and sign off.

Call a meeting of your close colleagues to get their ideas and suggestions on the best way to approach the presentation. Make sure everyone contributes and together come up with a plan for the best way to approach the board and get the buy-in you need.

Thoroughly research your subject matter so that you feel confident to talk at a detailed level as well as at the 'big picture' level. Seek out wider sources of information that could potentially give you greater insight and be able to manage any questions that are put to you in the presentation.