The importance of effective board evaluation
Board effectiveness goes to the heart of success. Without a high functioning board, a company will never truly be able to reach its potential. But without evaluating your board’s behaviour and processes regularly how will you know how effective it is or where improvements are needed? We take a look at the importance of board evaluation, the guidance available and highlight some questions all boards should consider.
Practice what you preach – Amnesty International
Whether you have trained in law or specifically in governance, a career as a Company Secretary is rewarding, interesting and multi-faceted.
The FA – A governance story
For our special World Cup blog we thought we’d take a look at English football’s governing body. Its governance structures and its areas of focus as an example of the multitude of tasks and responsibilities that a Board has to oversee and manage. Even if your organisation is in an entirely different sector to sport & leisure, you will see the similarities and responsibilities that are inherent in all organisations regardless of size and sector.
ICSA: Stakeholder engagement for long term success
The ICSA recently released guidance titled The Stakeholder Voice in Board Decision Making, with the aim of helping businesses understand their impact on key stakeholders when making strategic decisions. The guidance is less about compliance and more about promoting long term business success, with practical advice for implementing the core principles.
Bell Pottinger collapse is a lesson in risk and accountability
British PR firm Bell Pottinger went into administration this week shortly after having its membership from the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) terminated. Many mistakes were made, but there are some lessons in risk management and accountability to be taken from this scandal that shook the business and political world.
What it takes for effective boardroom leadership
Effective boardroom leadership comes when board members work as a team and execute a more active role in the best interests of the business, rather than simply overseeing shareholder investments. It means looking forward to the future for opportunities that lie ahead, adapting your business strategy and showing stakeholders and those within your organisation that you are open to change, all while acknowledging your accountability.
Why flexibility is key to long term success
Flexibility is the ability to respond effectively to external changes. Companies like Netflix and Amazon are successful because they cater to the public’s demand for convenience. People want to have things and do things when they want, and if you are able to offer flexible services, you’re more likely to have a customer base that stay loyal.
Conducting an effective board review
When was your company’s last Board review? Within the last year? Within the last 5 years? Many boards neglect this area of good governance and do not look at their strengths and weaknesses often, or in enough detail.
Could good governance have saved the Kids Company charity?
Is it time for a whole new approach to how our role as company secretaries is named, defined, and promoted? Even with awareness of governance gaining momentum, especially redefined as ESG, it still feels that the Cosec’s role as the chief governance officer is still not recognised and is by and large taken for granted.