Blog

How To Organise Hybrid Board Meetings For Modern Boards

Date: 10 January 2023

The experience of sitting on a board has changed over the last few years. Many companies had only ever held in-person board meetings before the spring of 2020, but that changed quickly through necessity. The COVID-19 pandemic saw social distancing measures set in place around the world, resulting in more and more online decision-making. Having enjoyed the benefits and flexibility of being able to hold fully virtual or hybrid board meetings, a large number of boards will continue to employ these formats in the future.  But with board meetings being so integral to the success of the company, it is […]

How to Improve Board Effectiveness: 7 Action Steps

Date: 22 December 2022

The Institute of Directors defines the role of the board as being “to ensure the company's prosperity by collectively directing the company’s affairs, while meeting the appropriate interests of its shareholders and relevant stakeholders.” With such responsibility, it is essential that the board works to its full potential. This certainly includes knowing how to improve board effectiveness.  Worryingly, PwC found that only 10% of C-suite executives rated their boards as ‘excellent’ in terms of their effectiveness. The majority – 55% – said that their board’s performance was merely ‘fair’. This article describes the steps required to improve board effectiveness and […]

The Good Governance Checklist For Modern Boards 

Date: 6 December 2022

Given the turbulent time the world has been through in the past few years, good governance could not be more important for businesses. You need to be sure that your leadership team has the tools in place to navigate the turbulent waters of pandemics, energy crises, inflation, social activism and much more. This good governance checklist is designed to help you implement best practices for leading your organisation with integrity and transparency. One of the biggest challenges to boards is understanding the shifting governance landscape. In Gartner’s Board of Directors study in 2022, 64% of directors reported that they would […]

9 Ways To Engage Board Members and Keep Them in The Loop

Date: 29 November 2022

Your board comprises a host of diverse talent that drives your business forward. But you do not have this resource at hand at all times.  Typically, a non-executive director will work between ten and 40 days a year, although the time commitment varies between organisations. This is why you need to understand the best ways to engage board members, encourage them to dedicate their time to your business and make the most of the time they are present. This article explores how to maintain motivation so that you get the best from your directors. It also guides you through building […]

Here’s How To Improve Board Of Directors Communication

Date: 15 November 2022

A while ago, McKinsey found that teams that are connected can increase their productivity by between 20 and 25%. Further research by ThinkTalent found that companies with effective communication strategies were 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. More recently, Gartner found that poor communication is responsible for 70% of corporate errors. With a board of directors who do not work in the same location for the majority of their tenure, being able to keep communication lines open between members is essential. This article explores expert tips on how to improve board of directors communication.  Directors are leaders, but […]

How To Announce New Board Members And Make Them Feel Welcome

Date: 19 October 2022

The process of onboarding new directors at an organisation must be handled in the correct manner to help them hit the ground running. From knowing how to announce new board members to welcoming them at their first meetings and supporting them from there, you want to minimise disruption and get them doing what they were appointed to do as quickly as possible.   Discussing the process of welcoming new board members, Didier Cossin of the Institute for Management Development (IMD) Global Board Center said that effective onboarding “facilitates the smooth operation of the board and its evolution. The process is highly […]

What Makes A Good Company Director Today?

Date: 3 October 2022

Company directors hold a great deal of responsibility in a modern organisation. They make decisions on the strategic future of the company, using independent judgement to continually challenge the status quo.  In addition, Financier Worldwide reports that “since the financial crisis, the risk oversight responsibilities and associated liabilities of European directors have been increasing”.  So, what makes a good company director in today’s corporate world?  The company looks to its board of directors to bring skills, expertise and experience to the table that it is otherwise lacking. This article explores ten key facets that every board director should display in […]

Our Shortlist Of The Best Books On Corporate Governance

Date: 21 September 2022

Good board members are always open to learning more about topics relating to the governance of companies. Lifelong learning enables individuals to hone their skills and remain current to keep up with the shifting corporate landscape. In addition, it makes sense to open your eyes to opposing viewpoints and theories that you might not have considered. Literature is one of the best ways to shift your perspective, and this article explores the best books on corporate governance.  Why read books on corporate governance? Whether these books validate your current position or challenge it, you can gain great insights by listening […]