Conducting a successful board meeting requires a certain level of intentionality. From calling the meeting to order, to apologizing when the time has passed, this kind of organization can make a significant difference. The more attendees feel their time and knowledge are valued, the more involved they will be with the outcomes of each meeting. Here are a few simple suggestions on how to achieve this.
Start the Meeting on Time
Don’t overbook your board meetings, especially for meetings that are held in person. you don’t want your attendees to feel as if they’re wasting their time. It is also helpful to allow your attendees to review the board pack or other materials prior to the meeting, whether it’s a complete board deck, or an easier Memo/Notion form.
Stay on the Agenda
The best way to ensure a productive board meeting is to have a solid structure in place and stick to it. This means not adding new agenda items prior to the http://www.boardmanagers.net/decision-making-tools-to-help-increase-productivity-and-free-up-time/ meeting, and requiring attendees to read materials before the meeting, and setting expectations for each agenda item based on the length of time it will be discussed. This will ensure that the board meeting stays focussed and will prevent any tangents.
Be sure that each agenda item has an end purpose that is clearly stated – is it to gather information, gain agreement or come to an agreement? This will allow you to keep the meeting productive, so that you can focus on the key issues and avoid tangents. The process of distributing the minutes of the board within 24hrs of each meeting will reinforce decisions taken and ensure that decisions are implemented quickly and efficiently.