The board meeting is a key occasion for your company to draw on the experience and perspective that Important People on your board bring to the table. But if you let them spend the meeting doing reports or completing administrative formalities, and debating procedural issues your board will walk away with a lot less than they would have.
The most efficient board meetings are productive and include specific actions. To make your meetings as effective as you can be sure to follow these guidelines:
Before your meeting, gain a good understanding of the calendars of your board members. Use a tool like Doodle to locate common dates that are listed in the calendars of your board members. Once you’ve located the most suitable time, reach out to those who manage their own schedules directly and ask them for a final confirmation of their availability.
Begin the meeting by giving an overview of the key issues and inputs sought. This will include a review of the highlights from the call prior to the meeting as well as the board’s report.
Give your committee heads and department heads the time and space they need to share important reports and updates. This will keep the board up-to-date and informed. Keep in mind that the board may have to discuss and revisit issues that were not resolved during the last meeting. It is beneficial to designate a point person within your team to ensure these issues are addressed following the meeting. The board should also decide on any important next steps. This should be documented in the minutes, with a set deadline and expectation for each item.
