Board meetings are crucial to the overall success of a company but they can also be time-consuming and tedious. The good news is that there are a variety of strategies to improve the meeting structure and turn them into productive, efficient and even enjoyable sessions.
First, ensure that the board members are informed about the topics that will be discussed at the meeting. This can be accomplished by providing participants with a written agenda that provides information about the issues to be discussed, as well as relevant documents prior to the meeting. This will prevent any surprises and will make everyone feel more prepared to be a part of the discussion.
Next, prioritize the most pressing issues to be discussed at the meeting. It is not unusual for discussions to diverge from their intended subjects, and it may be beneficial to have an “parking lot” for discussions that take longer than the meeting allows. This will keep the board on the right track and allow discussions to be carried on offline.
It is also important to keep track of all the details of the meeting. This can be done through written minutes that are signed and dated by the minute taker. This will ensure all decisions made at the board’s meeting can be documented and later referred to.
These guidelines can turn your board meetings into a useful tool for communicating important information to all departments in your company. These tips might require some trial and error however they will make your board meetings more productive, efficient and enjoyable.