BoardPro Podcasts

There are some things that boards find easy to do.  One is to involve themselves in business operations, much to the frustration of many CEOs.  The other is to create committees to which to delegate all manner of work and tasks. But are all committees created equal? Are they all necessary and fit for purpose?  This webinar will consider how to construct and enable committees to do the work and provide support to the board as designed and required.The other is to create committees to which to delegate all manner of work and tasks. But are all committees created equal? Are they all necessary and fit for purpose?  This webinar will consider how to construct and enable committees to do the work and provide support to the board as designed and required.This webinar will look at the role of committees in the good governance of boards and organisations and how a board decides what committees it needs to have and for what purpose. The session will cover matters including;Committee structure,Internal governanceMembershipDrafting of charters or terms of reference.In addition, the importance of to whom and how committees report their recommendations will be noted, as will the work necessary to support committees and enable them to function as intended and expected. Finally, the question will be whether or not a committee is actually required or would a working group suffice instead?

Join Nicholas Barnett and our expert panel as we delve into the crucial role of the Board Skills Matrix in the director selection process.Discover the benefits of maintaining an up-to-date matrix to ensure you select the most suitable directors and avoid common pitfalls that could lead to costly mistakes.Learn how to refine your approach by incorporating business acumen and strategic insight into your board's composition. Moreover, Nicholas and the panel will illuminate the increasing significance of behavioural traits in today's board dynamics. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your board's effectiveness and governance standards. Sign up now to secure your spot.

The correct use of meeting terminologyA range of topics are covered under commonalities and meeting mistakes.  This section highlights the importance of correct terminology and words you should avoid in your minutes.  We also talk about conflict and tension in a meeting and how this can be reflected in your minutes.To set you up for success with your minute taking, we highlight a range of tips of what you can do before, during, and after the meeting, and assist you with finalising your draft set of minutes.

Meeting preliminaries and templatesMeeting preliminaries covers a range of different meeting types and will take participants back to the basics of meeting terminology.  In this section we also discuss devices and technology and understanding the pros and cons of using Artificial Intelligence (AI).The course then moves into templates and how these can be used to assist you with your minutes before you step into the boardroom or committee meeting. 

Board Pack PreparationYour board paper will be enhanced by understanding the mechanisms and protocol for delivery, discussion, decision-making and recording. In this session we will consider:Process and preparation of board packs Use of portals and technology Security and privilege  Managing your mention in the minutes

Summarise and SimplifyDirectors are generalists, not specialists in your discipline, and they need concise yet comprehensive board papers. This session focuses on key techniques for effective communication, crafting concise summaries, simplifying complex concepts, and organising information coherently.

Master the Art of WritingDevelop the ability to communicate succinctly and comprehensively with effective use of punctuation, grammar, and page layout. Focus the reader on your key points to persuade and engage.

A Boards Information NeedsReporting to a board is difficult. Writing and disseminating board papers can be time consuming. And board members can be demanding, expecting high standards in the papers they receive. So how can you create papers that meet the needs of the board without consuming all your time? This comprehensive program is tailored to equip business executives with the essential skills to craft persuasive and impactful board papers that leave a lasting impression and position the writer as a person the board can trust. 

This webinar will illuminate the intricate landscape of conflicts of interest within the boardroom. Navigating conflicts effectively is not just a skill; it's a necessity for maintaining integrity, fostering trust, and ensuring sustainable organizational success.Through this webinar, our aim is to provide you with actionable takeaways that can be immediately applied in your boardroom responsibilities. Explore the many case studies and “in the trenches” stories that illustrate how difficult situations have been handled, the various nuances of conflicting interests, and what happens if this is not professionally and competently handled.

Dive deep into the strategic realm of engaging with risk in boardroom discussions. Move from compliance and reporting against your risk register, to unlocking strategic advantage and new revenue sources from unpacking and leveraging risk at the Board table.A unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into transforming risk discussions into strategic advantages. Learn tips from some of the most astute Board risk advisors and practitioners who have participated in many hundreds of Board discussions This session will explore a more focused view of what are key risks, how does the Board identify risk, and how do Directors best engage with risk reporting and subsequent risk discussions.

In this second of two webinars, you will learn how to develop a proactive board search strategy to get you on board faster. Dive deeper into your board career journey with the second installment of our webinar series, where we focus on crafting a proactive board search strategy to accelerate your path to a board position.This session is dedicated to empowering you with advanced techniques and actionable strategies to enhance your visibility and attractiveness to boards seeking new members. Learn from seasoned board members and industry experts how to effectively network, leverage your unique skills, and position yourself as an indispensable candidate.If you're serious about securing a board role swiftly, this webinar is the key to unlocking opportunities and achieving your goals with precision and speed. Join us and take a significant step towards making your boardroom aspirations a reality.

Join us for our enlightening webinar, 'Does governance need a reboot? Time to think about Governance 4.0? with the esteemed Dr Dean Blomson and our expert panel with Steven Bowman and Lynda Carroll.Dean will be guiding us through a comprehensive exploration of where and how the current corporate governance model is showing significant signs of ‘wear and tear’. Dean will draw on his research conducted with Ernst Young into board operating models of the future, considering first whether the current, prevailing governance model has passed its use-by-date for many companies, and why.Is the board operating model design, originally intended for the needs of the late 1800’s, relevant and ‘workable’ today? He will outline the forces at play facing companies in the main, and from that, consider a set of implications for future board models.Dean, supported by the panel, will discuss the areas of ‘common pain’, how to recognise and being to address the possible fracture lines that boards should be aware of.

Understand where and how to start your board career. Across two webinars you’ll learn how to develop a replicable approach to breaking into the boardroom and landing your ideal board role.Embark on a transformative journey to the boardroom with our exclusive two-part webinar series, designed to illuminate the path towards a successful board career. Discover the strategic insights and practical guidance necessary to navigate the complexities of securing your first board position. Through these webinars, you'll gain access to a replicable blueprint for breaking into the boardroom and securing your ideal role.Whether you're just beginning to consider board service or are actively seeking to land your first board position, this series will equip you with the essential tools and knowledge needed to turn your aspirations into reality. Join us to unlock the door to influential board roles and begin shaping the future of governance.

Traditional Board induction packs can leave new Directors disengaged (even before they begin). This can be challenging especially if you want them to reach their potential quickly but don’t have the time to coach them personally through this transition.Imagine if...All the Directors who undertook your Board induction were confident and prepared at their first meeting.Each of your new Directors was asking the right questions, reading and participating in all Board papers and discussions.All new Directors were enthusiastic about their tenure, and brought fresh insights to the table, even if they are volunteers with little to no formal experience.

Building upon the insights gained in the first part, our second session will equip you with practical tools and strategies to proactively manage conflicts of interest within the boardroom. We will dissect best practices for documentation, examine case studies illustrating successful conflict resolution, and engage in interactive discussions to sharpen your skills in addressing these challenges head-on. Whether you're a seasoned board member or aspiring to join a board, this session will empower you with the knowledge to foster a governance environment that thrives on transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making.

Welcome to this comprehensive two-part Masterclass designed to illuminate the intricate landscape of conflicts of interest within the boardroom. Navigating conflicts effectively is not just a skill; it's a necessity for maintaining integrity, fostering trust, and ensuring sustainable organizational success.Throughout both sessions, our aim is to provide you with actionable takeaways that can be immediately applied in your boardroom responsibilities. Explore the many case studies and “in the trenches” stories that illustrate how difficult situations have been handled, the various nuances of conflicting interests, and what happens if this is not professionally and competently handled.-----------------In our first session, we will embark on a journey to grasp the fundamentals of conflicts of interest in the boardroom. From the nuanced definitions to real-world examples, we will delve into the multifaceted nature of conflicts, exploring their potential implications on decision-making, corporate reputation, and stakeholder trust. This foundational knowledge will lay the groundwork for our subsequent exploration into the strategies for identifying and documenting conflicts at an early stage.

Exceptional board performance is pivotal for organisational success. Discover how to measure and improve your board’s effectiveness with evaluations that help to transform team dynamics and deliver better outcomes.Complacency can be a killer.  “We’ve always done it this way” is a solution to nothing, yet it is so often cited as a reason for continuing with the status quo – even when the status quo is not working.  Board evaluations are the cornerstone for assessing, improving and refining a board’s performance. By delving into a variety of evaluation methods, boards can pinpoint and identify both commendable practices and areas needing attention.Such insights bolster cohesive teamwork and enable more informed strategic choices, leading to better decision-making. Join us to explore a variety of evaluations options, turning them into catalysts for board and organizational excellence.

Step up your minute-taking game with the second half of our masterclass that covers the A to Z of effective minute-taking for board and committee meetings. This comprehensive session will dive into the critical role and responsibilities of the minute-taker, emphasising the importance of accuracy and compliance while guiding you through the order of proceedings.You'll learn the fine art of what to record and what to omit, and how to assist the chair in keeping the board focused on governance. Enhance your listening skills, attention to detail, and your knack for asking clarifying questions—all essential attributes of a top-tier minute-taker.But that's not all. This session is packed with actionable insights on minute-writing, from formatting and content inclusion to mastering the nuances of PESTLE and collective wording.Learn the pitfalls to avoid, such as mentioning sensitive HR matters or using casual language, and the art of converting conversations into professionally written minutes. Get invaluable tips for note-taking, proofreading, and using Board portals. This comprehensive course will leave you confident and ready to level up in this valuable governance role.

In our final session, we will guide you through the process of developing strategic plans that truly align with your organizational goals. Understand how to create board reports that communicate strategic insights effectively. Learn the art of reviewing and refining strategic plans and explore real-life examples from participants. Address challenges in reporting against strategic plans and tackle other topics raised by participants on the day.

Kickstart your journey to becoming a master of effective minute-taking with our first of two masterclass sessions. This comprehensive primer covers everything from setting up for success to the nuts and bolts of minute-taking best practices.Learn how to set a timely agenda and effectively handle action items, all while weaving in an annual work plan. We'll guide you through crucial discussions with the chair and explain the indispensable role that meeting minutes play—whether it's for legal proceedings, historical records, or due diligence for incoming directors. Dive into the benefits of having a professional board secretary for the best in governance compliance, confidentiality, and experience.We'll also cover who should—and shouldn't—be taking the minutes, shedding light on why CEOs and board members are not ideal candidates for this task. Plus, get to know the indispensable role of the Board Secretary, who's far more than an administrative aide but a valuable source of governance information.