The boardroom of the future will be that is designed to improve health and well-being for its members. It should also be a space that encourages the use of digital technologies to ensure a more efficient and effective meeting.
Furniture for meeting rooms, for example, needs to be able to accommodate several participants to attend the same meeting without sacrificing privacy or efficiency. The room must be equipped with the latest acoustic equipment and high-quality sound design to ensure that both in-person and virtual attendees can be clearly heard. Natural light is needed to reduce eye strain during meetings. According to an upcoming Harvard Business Review study, natural light is the most sought-after office perk, surpassing more conventional and predictable options such as onsite cafeterias and fitness centers.
Other innovations in technology that could be helpful in the boardroom include real-time analytics, “living” management information that take the concept of dashboards and infographics a step further and crowdsourcing technology which can provide an external view of the perspective of stakeholders. These tools will help boards evaluate risks and create a stronger basis for decision-making.
In the near future, the boardroom will also require more expertise in sustainability. Board members will need to be aware of the impact business activities have on the environment, climate change, biodiversity, and human rights. It will also require new skills, for example, the ability to evaluate the impact of ESG on the long-term financial performance.