Board meetings are where major corporate decisions – ranging from company policy to management decisions to financial control and responses to crises – are taken. In these meetings, members lay out their perspectives as they debate and debate ideas and ultimately steer an organization through the complexities of business. The most effective boards set agendas that encourage constructive discussion and yield results.

The preparation of my latest blog post board members prior to the meeting is essential to having a successful meeting. Nothing erodes a meeting’s effectiveness more than having attendees have to read through important documents during the meeting itself or, even more troubling the materials being provided late or not available in the first place.

It is helpful to make an outline of the topics to be discussed prior to the meeting so that board members are prepared and are able to anticipate. This allows the board chair to focus on the most important issues and not repeat issues that have already been discussed.

A strategic planning component is also beneficial to place to the top of your agenda. This will allow for a thorough review of the board’s strategies to determine whether it is still on the right track or if there’s gaps that need to be addressed.

It’s also a good idea to begin the meeting with an inspirational or motivational message that will re-energize the boardroom and set the tone to encourage productive discussion. It could be as easy as beginning with a narrative of the company’s achievements or even acknowledgment of the individual’s work and board member’s contributions.