Effective board meetings are essential to the success of any organization regardless of whether it’s a start-up or a seasoned company. To be successful, they require an agenda that is well-planned and a consistent and clear arrangement, and a planned deliberation. These guidelines will allow board members to focus on the most crucial issues and provide their expertise without being distracted by other agenda items.
Concentrate on the crucial decision-making that the board will need to take and refrain from spending too much time on i thought about this updates. Begin the meeting by discussing the most important issues that require a decision. This will ensure that the discussions will take up the majority of the time available.
Encourage a respectful and cooperative discussion environment in which everyone’s opinions are equally valued. This will help build a culture of trust and open communication, and ensure that all stakeholders are engaged in a productive discussion. Make sure that the process of voting is fair and transparent, and that all board members have the same opportunity to participate (see below “Manage time”).
Create accountability for the following-up and execution of decisions, actions and recommendations made at each board meeting. This can be achieved by regular progress reports, clear assignment of responsibilities, and systems for monitoring and recording results.
Allot time at the beginning or at the end of each board meeting for an executive session which allows non-executive board members to discuss the most important issues with members of the management team in private. This helps to ensure that the Board is in sync with the CEO’s viewpoint.