A board of directors can be a great way to ensure that your business is being managed effectively and that decisions are made in an open and fair manner. To be effective, the board should be active in its members and present at every meeting. Poor attendance at meetings leads to a loss in productivity and effective leadership. Here are some suggestions that can aid you in improving your board of directors meetings.
Plan ahead: Ensure that all board members have received relevant documents, such as financial statements, reports and other background information prior to the date of the meeting. This will ensure that they are prepared with thoughtful questions. The early delivery of information gives board members a chance to review their schedules, and ensure they’re free to attend.
Start at the right time: Start your meeting by making a brief call to call the meeting to order and confirm that there is the quorum. This will show that the board values the time of everyone.
Establish a clear process for making decisions: A clearly defined process for making decisions helps keep the discussion focused, and stops the distraction of tangents that could disrupt or derail the discussion.
Encourage active participation. It can be difficult to create a space in which everyone is at ease sharing ideas and opinions. Chairpersons play a significant role in encouraging participation by soliciting input from both sides and helping to facilitate a balanced and constructive discussion. They can also set the ground rules for the discussion to make sure that everyone has a concise message and equal airtime for all participants.