Board Meeting Facts:
Contrary to popular belief the board of directors does not make the majority of the decisions for your company. Although they may have authority in certain areas of significant importance (in the case of a venture-backed business they are typically described in the governing documents and investment documents) The majority of boardroomideas.info the important issues are decided through committees or by the CEO/management with the help of the Board.
Board meetings usually focus on planning, policy and oversight rather than business activities. However, the decisions made by a board can have a profound impact on the company. It’s therefore important to plan and run board meetings in a way that encourages constructive discussion and results.
To ensure that the board is well-informed, it’s important to make sure everyone is aware. In order to facilitate productive discussions make sure to distribute the board’s materials in advance so attendees can get familiar with them prior to the meeting. These documents should be short and clear enough that they do not require more than a half hour to review.
Then, schedule time for discussion on the board. Consider allowing attendees to contribute brief comments or questions in open discussion, and also scheduling time for guest presentations from outside parties. Set aside time for the consent agenda, an area where routine or noncontroversial subjects can be approved by a simple motion and vote.
Also, during board meetings Explain the process for making decisions. Decide if the purpose is to reach consensus or if a formal voting procedure is required, and establish clear criteria for evaluating ideas. This will allow everyone to understand their role and the possible consequences of making a mistake.