Effective Board Meetings can help companies succeed by bringing in expertise in fostering collaboration and making decisions easier. However, organising effective meetings requires that Board members focus on efficient time management and a focused prospective, forward-looking perspective. Board members must also be aware of the impact that the length, layout and rules have on their effectiveness.

Meetings that are long, chaotic or confusing can eat up time. This is usually due to a lack in preparation or lack of support from the board portal executive team. Board members might not be aware of their responsibilities and are discouraged from participating in discussions that board meetings don’t have to do with the agenda. A board meeting that finishes too early could indicate that the board has become a rubber stamp, and is not questioning any decisions made.

Board meetings should always include a clear and concise agenda that is distributed prior to the date of the board meeting detailing the purpose of each discussion and the most important points to be addressed. The board chair should facilitate the meeting and guide the discussion to ensure that all relevant topics are discussed within the appropriate time limit.

A productive Board meeting usually produces a list of things to do and actions that should be completed prior to the next one. This can include prepping for the meeting by reading materials, researching topics and creating thoughtful questions or ideas. The board should also foster accountability among its members by making sure they follow-up on all actions items and decisions taken at previous meetings.