Conducting a successful board session requires a variety of abilities in everything from the creation of materials for board meetings to the facilitation of productive discussions. Furthermore, a properly-run board meeting should lead to the development of action items which can be executed after the meeting to facilitate progress. The key to success in all these areas is effective governance of the board that allows for a broad perspective and promotes productive discussions, leading to innovative insights.
Create an Agenda and Share it in Advance
An agenda that is well-planned is the basis for a successful board meeting. It serves as a reference for discussion and makes sure that all important topics are covered. Members of the board should be encouraged to review agendas prior to the date of the meeting and suggest modifications or additions, if needed. A concise and clear meeting agenda can help keep the discussion focused and stop it from becoming too long or veering off-topic.
Conduct an Open Call to Determine Quorum
Make sure that all board members can attend the meeting. This can be done by conducting a roll call or using an online application such as Krisp, or relying on the documents that govern the company to determine the number of persons who are required to be present in person in order to legally conduct business.
Encourage Participation
Discussions that are productive require active participation by all participants. This can be facilitated by encouraging board members to express their opinions, reaching out to those who may not be as vocal, and encouraging discussion with tools like decision matrices and SWOT analyses. It is also important to be respectful and respect all opinions regardless of whether or whether they are in line with the current ideas of the meeting.
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