A well-defined strategic board agenda is the framework for each meeting. It ensures that every discussion achieves its purpose and avoids getting lost in the details. It takes more than proper format to plan an effective board meeting. Board members must also be prepared for the meeting and be prepared to participate in productive discussions.
The board’s material prior to the meeting is among the best things a board member can do to ensure a successful event. In this way they can become familiar with the content and know what they want to ask during the meeting. This is also a great method to increase participation by allowing everyone’s individual perspective to be brought to the table.
Another crucial aspect in preparing for a productive strategic board meeting is to concentrate on the content and not the structure. Board meetings must be efficient and focused. Therefore, it is important to order topics logically. Start with the most important and urgent ones. Then move on to those that build upon those. Finally, don’t forget to set aside a portion of the meeting for business that is new. This is the perfect opportunity for the board members to have generative discussions that will help move the company forward.
In recent years Boards have been requested to complete more hands-on projects. This can result in meetings taking longer than they should and deviating from the subject. To prevent this, keep the information in the board’s dashboard at the strategic level.
