As more and more business – including board meetings – is conducted remotely It is essential to understand how to handle the potential problems. Whether it’s reducing engagement or creating a secure environment for meetings there are best practices that must be followed to ensure your next board meeting that is remote is as effective as you can.
The most obvious challenge is to ensure that the board members are comfortable using the virtual meeting software. Although the majority of modern board management software is easy to use certain individuals might be unable to adapt to the change. This transition can be eased by providing plenty of instruction prior to the meeting. Also, allowing participants to test the software prior to the meeting could be helpful.
It is essential that everyone can contribute to the agenda during the meeting. This keeps the conversation focused and prevents it from deviating into unproductive territory. It’s also helpful to have a facilitator to keep track of the discussion and address any issues that arise.
In the final phase, it is important to conclude the meeting with an overview of what was talked about and the major outcomes of the meeting. This will assist your board members keep in mind the most important issues and keep pushing your organization forward over the period between meetings. It is also a good idea to solicit feedback at the end of each meeting to ensure that everyone feels they were heard.