A successful board meeting requires a range of skills, from preparation and facilitation of productive discussions to the preparation of material for board meetings. A well-run board meeting should lead to action items that are implemented following the meeting to help move forward. The most important factor to success in all these areas is a strong board governance that running a successful board meeting encourages a wide range of perspectives and encourages productive discussions, which lead to new insights.
Create an agenda and share it in Advance
Effective board meetings begin with a well-prepared agenda that outlines a path for discussion and ensures every important topic is addressed. Board members should be encouraged to look over agendas prior the meeting and suggest any changes or additions that are required. A concise and clear agenda can help keep the meeting on track, preventing discussions from diverting from the topic or becoming overly lengthy.
Conduct an unintentional roll call to determine the quorum
Make sure that all relevant board members are able to participate in the meeting, by ensuring that all requirements for quorum are in place. This can be achieved by calling a roll call or using an online application like Krisp or by relying on the constitution of the company to determine how many people are required to meet in the person to legally conduct business.
Encourage Participation
Everyone involved must be involved in order to have productive discussions. It is possible to encourage this by encouraging board members, reaching out to those who might not be vocal, and facilitating discussions using tools such as SWOT analysis or decision matrices. It is also essential that all opinions are respected and valued, regardless of whether or not they align with the current beliefs of the meeting.
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