BOARD OF DIRECTORS FACILITATION

The function of a Board of Directors is to offer advice and help to the chief executive. Experienced business and educated Individuals come together to contribute their skills, experience, knowledge and wisdom to maximize the performance of the organization. The Board deals with strategic questions about the organization's future, the demands for growth, resources available, and the internal talent. The Board has impact on the quality and effectiveness of how the organization is run and how it grows.

The benefits that can be derived from a Board of Directors are substantial. Well functioning boards can:

• help the chief executive develop a long-term strategic plan
• prioritize issues the organization needs to deal with so that time and resources are used wisely
• expand the organization's network of business contacts
• advice on financing, budgeting, and internal controls
• ask hard questions about the critical issues facing the organization
• act as an independent, unbiased sounding board
• serve as a third party arbitrator in disputes
• approve guidelines and policies for appropriate structure
• evaluate senior management's performance
• assure a smooth succession for senior managers

Evaluating the Board's Performance

The Board needs to periodically assess its own performance. Stepping back and reflecting how well it is functioning, the Board can improve itself to be more effective in meeting its responsibilities. Such assessment offers tangible and intangible benefits to both the Board members and the chief executive. The value and benefits derived include:

• refreshing the understanding of the Board's roles and responsibility
• identifying important areas of Board operation that need attention
• measure progress toward existing plans, goals, and objectives
• shape the future operations of the Board
• build trust, respect, and communication among Board members and the chief executive
• encourage more involvement from each of the members
• enable Board members to work more effectively as part of the team

Board Evaluation & Development Program

Atsaides Associates, Inc. has significant experience working with both public and non-profit Board of Directors. We have developed various assessment programs to help the Board understand how well it is working together and meeting its challenges.

Some of our programs are team building in nature. Other programs are more specific to the assessment of current functioning and recommending ways for Board improvement. Our programs can be conducted during a Board meeting or in individual sessions with Board members. Information is shared with the Board and the chief executive with recommendations for improvement and growth.

We customize our Board evaluation programs with the help of the chief executive and the Board executive. This assures that what we ask is meaningful. We coordinate the results of the evaluation and how to best present these results to the entire Board. The data that we collect is useful in making a difference to the successful performance of the Board.

Although each Board program is unique, we focus on the following matters:

• understanding the current functioning of the Board
• identifying the current and desired vision and culture of the organization
• setting up a code of conduct to help guide behavior and expectations that tie into the operating principles desired by the Board
• communication effectiveness
• involvement and interaction with each other
• desired improvement for overall effectiveness

Other Services Available for the Board Of Directors

As management psychologists and consultants, we are actively involved with the chief executive and the Board of Directors. We offer the following services:

• facilitate Board retreats and meetings
• conduct team building sessions with the Board
• develop the competencies needed at the Board level, and develop selection protocols and interview guides for new Board members
• design and implement a new Board member orientation program
• develop a peer appraisal program for Board self evaluation
• develop organizational evaluation to assess the current functioning of the senior team and their achieving the vision set by the Board
• conduct executive evaluations of key managers for Board review
• evaluate outside hires for key positions to be sure they have the right skills and culture fit to be successful in the organization
• assess key individuals in potential merged / acquired organizations
• work with the Board to assure that there is a succession plan for the orderly succession of the chief executive and other key members
• develop the Board's performance appraisal of the chief executive

Contact us for additional information about our work with Boards of Directors. We have the experience to help your Board maximize its effectiveness. We look forward to hearing from you.