A well-run board meeting is one of the most effective ways to get the support needed to tackle difficult issues and take decisions. The key to facilitating productive meetings is ensuring that everyone is on the same page and that they were given the chance to go over the material prior to. This allows for more discussion, and assists boards in making informed decisions in the best interest of the company.
Board members are likely to have a full calendar of commitments. This is why it is crucial to schedule meetings for board members as early as possible and ensure that all directors have accepted the invitation. It is also a great idea to create an outline of the board’s agenda to ensure that all directors can easily access the information prior to the meeting.
On the day of the board meeting the most important thing is to manage the board’s time effectively. This means making sure that the agenda items are actionable and relevant and that there is sufficient information on each item. It’s also a good idea for each item to be allocated an amount of time, so that the committee doesn’t get caught up in discussions that have no value.
It is also a good my blog idea to use an online poll in your board’s portal to ask for feedback at the end of each meeting, which helps to keep the level of frustration low and avoid issues boiling over. This can also improve the organization of future board meetings and ensure that board members are prepared for difficult decisions.