Developing a Strategic Board Agenda
The agenda for every meeting should be well-defined. It ensures that every discussion is able to achieve its goal, and avoids becoming lost in the details. It is more than just the right format to conduct the right board meeting. Board members must also be prepared and ready to take part in productive discussions.
One of the most important things a board can do to prepare for an effective meeting is to study the documents for the board in advance. By doing so they will be able to familiarize themselves with the contents and understand what they’d like to talk about during the meeting. This is also a great way to increase participation by encouraging each person’s unique perspective to be heard.
Another key factor in the preparation for a productive strategic board meeting is to concentrate on the content and not the format. Board meetings should be efficient and focused, therefore it is crucial to arrange topics logically, beginning with those that are most crucial and timely. Then, move to topics that build on those. Don’t forget, too, to reserve a portion of the meeting for new business. This is a great opportunity for the board members to engage in lively discussions that will help move the organization forward.
In recent years Boards have been asked to do more hands-on tasks. This can lead to meetings taking longer than they should and deviating from the subject. To avoid this, make sure to keep the information in an overview of the board at an overall strategic level.
