To create a highly-performing, value-enhancing board is a matter of addressing numerous issues. This includes having the correct members on the board. It is also about fostering positive attitudes, providing information that is easily accessible, streamlining processes, and conducting regular reviews. This isn’t easy to do, and problems frequently occur. Certain of these issues can be easily addressed and others are more difficult to solve. The good news is, the majority of these issues can be solved.
A common issue is when boards fail to establish the internal structures and processes it requires for executing its duties of assessing. This usually means setting up committees or officers who are responsible for gathering information, analyzing and regularly reporting information about performance to the board.
When this is not done, it can cause the board to fail to comprehend its strengths and weaknesses. It could also hinder the board from taking the appropriate actions to address areas for improvement.
A board that does not adhere to its agreed-upon improvement plans is another problem. This is often the case when a board gets distracted by other things and loses its focus on issues that were identified during its last evaluation.
Boards should conduct a thorough self-evaluation at least once per year. BoardEffect comes with a built-in survey that ensures the rigor of the evaluation. It can also be used to develop an extensive review of the board in the event that it is required. This process helps boards make sure that they concentrate on the most important issues, and that their efforts contribute to the success of the business.