Conducting a board of directors meeting can be difficult and complicated, especially when there are many views to consider. The board must reach consensus on various issues which can be a challenge when certain members play an active role, while others are not as involved. It can be difficult to keep the discussions on track, particularly when they exceed the time allotted to them.
A well-planned agenda and a streamlined procedure for distribution of board documents are essential to run a successful board meeting. To ensure that each member of the board has the http://www.myboardroom.info/nasdaq-board-portal-review/ right information they need to be able to participate in the meeting, it is best for management to prepare the «board package» ahead of time and share it with everyone 3-4 days prior to the meeting. Directors have the chance to discuss the most important information with their peers, and ask questions prior to when the board’s meeting, allowing the majority of the time to be spent on strategic discussions.
A clear decision-making process is also essential to conduct an effective board of directors meeting. It is essential to clarify whether the board will make decisions through consensus or vote and to establish a timeline for the time when decisions will be taken. The time taken to do this helps ensure that all viewpoints are considered and facilitates open dialogue during the meeting.
Additionally, it is essential for the chair of the board to actively facilitate discussions and encourage all board members to be involved. When one or a few individuals dominate the discussion, it can limit the participation of other board members and can result in poor decisions. To prevent this, at the beginning of a meeting, the chair can introduce rules that favor short remarks and equal airtime to each board members.