Board meetings are where crucial corporate decisions are made ranging from corporate policies, to management appointments to financial control and crisis response. In this setting, members outline their opinions, debate different ideas and ultimately steward an organization through the complexity of business. The most effective boards set agendas that encourage constructive dialogue and produce results.
The preparation of board members ahead of time is essential to having a successful meeting. It’s impossible to have an effective meeting if the participants are forced to scramble during the meeting in order read important documents or worse the materials aren’t available or delivered late.
It is beneficial to include an outline of the topics that will be discussed in advance so that board members are well-prepared and are able to anticipate. This allows the chair of the board to prioritize important topics for discussion and avoid repeating or expanding topics that have already been covered.
A strategic planning component is also beneficial to place to the top of your agenda. This enables a complete review of the board’s plan to determine if it’s still on target or if there’s gaps that need to be addressed.
Finally, it’s a good idea to kick off the meeting with a motivational or motivating message that re-energizes the boardroom and sets the tone for productive dialogue. It could be as easy and straightforward as a tale about the organization’s success, or it can include the recognition of specific staff members or board members contributions.
www.cbdboardroom.com/5-questions-boards-should-ask-after-an-audit/
