It is a known fact that arranging a board meeting takes a lot of time and can be a hassle. If your meetings lack focus, structure or energy, it can cost you in the form of missed opportunities and loss of productivity. If you want to have a great find board meeting, there are some easy things you can do to ensure your directors are participating actively.

Examine Your Meetings at Least Every Year

Feedback is one of the most effective ways to improve meetings. After a few of your meetings, ask your board members to take two sticky notes, and mark “+” on the parts that were good and “-” on areas that could be improved. Then, they should stick the notes on a board that they can hang at the entrance and let everyone identify what needs to changed.

Control Your Time

Keep your meetings as short as you can in order to ensure you have enough time for actual discussions and decision-making. Do not be enticed by the idea of including lengthy reports and “have to” things on your agenda. Consider breaking down the detailed information from your board book into smaller topics for discussion. Or, have your directors conduct their own research prior the meeting and bring prepared questions to discuss.

Board meetings can also be a place to increase the team’s enthusiasm and inspire actions. Add “mission moments” to the meeting, so that your board can hear stories and testimonials about the impact your business has on people’s life. This could be a fantastic energy boost for the group.