During board meetings top-tier leaders meet to discuss and debate strategic issues facing their organisations. These discussions have a direct impact on the direction of an company including investor confidence and public opinion. It is essential for board directors to increase the effectiveness and efficiency in their meetings. This article offers tips on how to conduct board meetings in a manner that encourages lively and productive discussions.
Start by welcoming and introducing each member of the board particularly if they’re new to the meeting. This sets the stage for a collaborative board meeting, which helps establish an appropriate manner of conducting the boardroom, and encourages participation.
This is a sign of respect for the time of the other directors and discourages tardiness. This is particularly crucial when a meeting is held online when managing time can be challenging.
Don’t waste time with routine or trite items, such a voting and committee reports. Limit these items to 25 percent of your meeting time. Then use the remaining time discussing strategies and other important topics.
It is important to communicate clearly the way in which decisions will be taken during the meeting (consensus voting or a different method). This ensures that all board members are aware of the process of making decisions and are able to be a part of discussions that are meaningful.
Obtain feedback from board members about their level of satisfaction with how your organization conducts its board meetings. This can be done through informal discussions or through the distribution of surveys and polling tools. For instance, you could ask how well the board’s meeting structure and content allow for robust discussion or ask them evaluate the different aspects of a meeting on an arranged scale.
