A good agenda for a strategic board needs to include an array of interesting topics and provide enough time for discussion. But creating a strong strategic agenda for the board requires more than just arranging the topics in the right order. it also has clear guidelines on how to proceed, such as establishing a process for decision-making and reviewing follow-up actions.
To ensure that board members are prepared for the meeting, board members must send out the materials at my response least a week -and, ideally, a full weekend — ahead of time. This gives everyone ample time to review the reports and to highlight what they believe are the most important questions for the board to address. It is also crucial to make it as simple as possible for board members to attend the meeting in person or remotely. This is crucial to encourage an active and engaging discussion.
It is essential to determine accurately how long each topic can take so that discussions are not rushed. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid having multiple meetings which can cause fatigue and a decrease in engagement.
It’s also important to avoid presenting any reports that don’t relate to the company’s strategy. They often result in a confusing mess of information and data, with every business unit presenting its own numbers and data, making it difficult to connect the dots. Instead, make sure you include only the most current and relevant board materials in the agenda. This will help ensure that the board can effectively discuss long-term strategic goals and planning, and also guide the organization.
