A successful board meeting requires an amount of planning. From putting the meeting into order to adjourning the meeting once the time runs out, this kind of organization will make a big difference. The more people feel that their time and expertise is respected and appreciated, the more they’ll be involved in the outcomes of every meeting. Here are some guidelines to help you get there.
Start the meeting at Time
Don’t overbook your board meetings, especially if they’re in person – you don’t want attendees to be distracted or feel like they’re wasting time. It’s also helpful to allow your attendees the opportunity to look over the board packet and other materials prior to the time or a complete board deck or a more digestible memo/Notion doc.
Stay on the Agenda
The best way to ensure a productive board meeting is to establish a strong structure in place and stick to it. It is essential to not add new items to the agenda prior to the meeting, to require attendees to read the materials prior to the meeting, and to establish expectations for each item on the agenda based on the length of time that it needs to be discussed. This will help keep the board meeting clear and avoid the board from getting distracted.
Make sure that every item on the agenda has a clearly defined objective – are you looking for information, gaining consensus or deciding? This will allow you to keep the meeting productive, as you can focus on the key issues and avoid tangents. Also, the distribution of minutes of the board within 24hrs of each meeting will strengthen the decisions made and ensure that actions are taken promptly and efficiently.
http://boardmanagers.net/decision-making-tools-to-help-increase-productivity-and-free-up-time