The more engaged and involved board members are with the outcome of a meeting the more successful. To facilitate this, the chairman of the board must be prepared to lead meetings effectively. This requires the right tools and meeting best methods to be used in a way that will allow for rich and productive discussions.
Begin with the State of the Union
Kick off the meeting by asking the founder or another senior executive give a comprehensive overview of how things are going. This is a good opportunity to highlight milestones and major accomplishments, and to determine areas where the company may be slipping in its goals (such as missing sales targets or problems with clients and customers).
Clarify Objectives
Agenda items should how to run the perfect board meeting be sent to attendees ahead of the meeting to allow them to prepare in advance. Include the discussion topic along with the goals for each item to ensure everyone knows what the discussion will be about. Make sure you revisit these goals throughout the meeting, as it will keep discussions on track and on target.
Encourage camaraderie
In the intervals between meetings, try to organize informal social events that will allow for more natural conversations and member interaction. For instance annual board retreats or regular gatherings outside of formal meetings can help establish solid foundations for efficient and efficient collaboration. This results in more productive and energetic board meetings that result in tangible results for the business.