Effective Board Meetings bring companies closer to their objectives by bringing expertise to the table encouraging collaboration and facilitating the process of making decisions. To conduct effective meetings Board members must prioritise the management of time and have a vision that is focused on the future. Board members must be aware of the impact that the length, layout and rules have on their efficiency.
Meetings that are long, chaotic, or confusing can waste time. Most often, this is due to a lack preparedness or lack of support from the executive team on the board portal. Board members may not be aware of their responsibilities and are discouraged from taking part in discussions that don’t pertain board meeting to the agenda. A board meeting that finishes early could be seen as a rubber stamping board which does not challenge any decision made.
Board meetings should always include an organized and concise agenda and be distributed in advance of the board’s meeting, outlining the focus of each discussion and the important issues to be discussed. The chair of the board should lead the meeting and lead the conversation so that all relevant issues are discussed within the time period.
A productive Board meeting is usually reflected in a checklist of tasks and actions to be completed prior to the next meeting. This could include prepping for the meeting by examining documents, analyzing topics, and creating thoughtful questions or ideas. The board should also create the culture of accountability in its members by ensuring they follow up on all actions and decisions taken at previous meetings.