A clearly defined strategic board agenda is the basis to conduct each meeting. It ensures each discussion achieves the intended goal and avoids getting bogged down in details. It takes more than right format to prepare a strategic board meeting. Board members must be prepared and ready to participate in productive discussions.
The board’s material prior to the meeting is one of the most beneficial things a member of the board can do to ensure a successful event. This will help the board members to become familiar with the material and prepare questions for the meeting. Additionally, this is an excellent way to increase participation by encouraging everyone to bring their unique viewpoints to the table.
Another important aspect to consider when planning a successful strategic board meeting is to focus on the content, and not the format. Board meetings need to be efficient and focused. It is therefore crucial to organize topics logically. Start with the most important and urgent ones. Then, move on to the ones that build on those. Also, don’t forget reserve a portion of the meeting for new business. This is a great opportunity for board members to engage in generative discussions that will help move the organization forward.
With more hands-on activities being required of Boards in recent years it is not uncommon for meetings to drift off topics and to last more lengthy than they should be. To avoid this, keep the information on an overview of the board at an overall strategic level.