A well-run board meeting can enhance decision-making and productivity improve collaboration and time management and help bring companies closer to their goals. To conduct a successful meeting, you require an engaging agenda and the best boardbook template and clear governance procedures.
Set clear goals for meetings for the board and then communicate the board’s goals to members prior to meeting. This helps everyone plan and prioritize topics for discussion, avoiding meetings that are too long and unfocused. Make sure to focus on issues instead of updates, and limit meetings to 30 minutes per topic. This will help keep discussions productive and reduce fatigue.
It is important to communicate clearly the decisions that will be taken during the meeting. Encourage an open dialogue, respecting differing opinions. However, be honest about difficult subjects and bad news. If a formal vote procedure is required, ensure the procedure is clearly defined and that a certain amount of votes are required to reach a decision. The results of voting can then be recorded in the minutes of the meeting that allow follow-up and accountability.
After the meeting, recap all the decisions made and then create a list action items that each chief can present to their department. This will help reinforce the new strategies that were agreed upon and ensure that every department is on board in implementing these goals. In subsequent meetings, you will review and assess these actions to establish a culture of accountability.