Effective Board Meetings can help businesses achieve their goals by bringing in expertise in fostering collaboration and facilitating decisions. However, conducting effective meetings requires that Board members prioritize efficient time management and have a clear prospective, forward-looking perspective. Board members also need to be aware of how meeting duration as well as the design and rules impact their effectiveness.
Meetings that are too long, disorganized or confusing can eat up time. It is usually due to a lack of preparedness or lack of support from the executive team of the board portal. Board members might not comprehend their role in the process, and they may be discouraged from participating in discussions that are not relevant to the agenda. A board meeting which ends in a hurry could be interpreted as a rubber stamping board that does not challenge any decision made.
Board meetings should have a clear agenda that is communicated well prior to the meeting. The agenda should outline the major topics of discussion for each board member, as well as the topic of discussion. The board chair should facilitate the meeting and steer the discussion so that all relevant topics are discussed within the agreed-upon time limit.
A productive Board meeting usually results in a list with to-dos and actions to be completed prior to the next meeting. The preparation for the meeting could include reviewing materials, researching topics, and creating thoughtful questions or suggestions. The board should also create the culture of accountability in its members by making sure they follow-up on all actions items and decisions taken at previous meetings.