The manner of the meeting can be just as important as the content in the context of a successful board meeting. Board members are invested in the success of your company and are likely to listen attentively when they are engaged during the discussion. Take note of the following suggestions to get your board members excited and running an effective board meeting
Make a clear agenda and distribute it to all attendees. Include time limits for each discussion item to avoid being sidetracked and keep the meeting moving. For example, limiting discussions to 30 minutes per topic will to keep the board from becoming bogged down on non-important items.
Make the meeting as convenient for your board as possible. Make sure they are turned off any notifications and shut down all programs that could impact their bandwidth when you’re holding the meeting online. This will help the event run smoothly and ensure that all attendees can be heard and seen clearly.
Offer refreshments, if necessary. This is crucial for a meeting that takes place in the evening, after a long day’s work. It will help your board remain focused and motivated.
Start the meeting with short success stories that will remind your board members of the organisation’s mission and the current initiatives. It can also inspire them to strive for the organization’s objectives. The last thing to do is make sure you have a quorum of all attendees before formally opening the meeting. This is a crucial aspect that can have a major impact on the outcome of the meeting. It’s usually done via a “roll call” in which each participant raises their hands when their name is announced.
