Meetings at the Board are essential to supporting company goals, preventing conflict and ensuring compliance with the requirements of regulatory agencies. However, they can only be successful when everyone is committed to maintaining positive dialogue. Implementing these best practices will transform your Board meetings into powerful engines that can propel your company towards its long-term goals and vision.
The first step in running a successful board meeting is to establish clear expectations and establish meeting procedures. It’s about clearly defining who is responsible for each item on the agenda and making sure that everyone has complete understanding of what to expect from your meeting.
By setting and adhering time limits for each item on the agenda, you will be able to keep your focus throughout the meeting. This shows attendees that they are appreciated. Limit the number of agenda items to ensure that your board members are able to discuss each item efficiently. Things that aren’t controversial could be voted on via the consent agenda, which will free up more time for discussion of strategic issues (BoardEffect). Utilize visual tools like countdown timers for keeping track of your time, particularly when dealing with sensitive subjects.
Discussions that are tangled can lead to unnecessary meetings and divert attention from meeting goals. Include an „parking area” on the agenda for topics that require further research or consideration but aren’t the top of your priority list. Always check in on the parking area to determine what needs to be added to the agenda, researched further or delegated.
