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?

Summarising, Examples and Finalising Your MinutesAll too often, those of us taking minutes are unsure if our minute taking style is correct.  We provide examples of note taking and take you through several audio exercises on how a minute should be reflected from a 1-2 minute conversation.Finally, we run through items such as legal professional privilege, and end the session with summarising techniques.

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.

Leading as a chair beyond meetingsIn the final session of our masterclass on Leadership as a Chair, we'll explore the role "beyond meetings," covering aspects like board development, cultivating relationships, and coaching CEOs, as well as conducting interviews and inductions. We'll revisit the 5Ts—Time, Tone, Talent, Teamwork, and Traditions—and explain how they apply in the periods between meetings. Similarly, we'll discuss the 3Ps—People, Processes, and Paperwork—and their relevance outside of the meeting room. After a Q&A segment, we'll provide details on how to book confidential follow-up courses and when they will be available. 

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.

Preparing for and following up board meetingsIn this session, the focus will be on the crucial aspects of high quality preparation and effective follow-up for chairs. We'll discuss the significance of the 5Ts—Time, Tone, Talent, Teamwork, and Traditions—in both the preparatory and follow-up stages. Additionally, we will cover the 3Ps—People, Processes, and Paperwork—as they relate to pre and post-meeting activities. A Q&A segment will provide an opportunity for further engagement and clarification. 

In the first session of our Leadership as a Chair masterclass seminar, we'll begin by setting the scene, focusing on international culture and outlining our processes. We'll delve into why we've created this specialised chairing course and introduce our proprietary model, which the masterclass aims to explain. The role and appointment procedures for a chair will be defined, along with the legal, ethical, and cultural responsibilities that come with the position. We'll outline the structure of our three-part course series, highlighting that this session specifically addresses chairing meetings effectively. Key concepts like the 5Ts—Time, Tone, Talent, Teamwork, and Traditions—and the 3Ps—People, Processes, and Paperwork—will be elaborated upon in the context of board and committee meetings.

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.

In the final session of our masterclass on Leadership as a Chair, we'll explore the role "beyond meetings," covering aspects like board development, cultivating relationships, and coaching CEOs, as well as conducting interviews and inductions. We'll revisit the 5Ts—Time, Tone, Talent, Teamwork, and Traditions—and explain how they apply in the periods between meetings. Similarly, we'll discuss the 3Ps—People, Processes, and Paperwork—and their relevance outside of the meeting room. After a Q&A segment, we'll provide details on how to book confidential follow-up courses and when they will be available. 

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.