Board Performance Evaluations & Improvement

With the increasing focus on the performance of CEO's and Boards, it is refreshing to see that there is emerging support for more structured performance reviews with benefits including: 1. Improvement of Board Operations - Board evaluations formally invite feedback and reflection on the Board’s performance. 2. Positive Group Dynamics – By focusing on group dynamics and collectively reflecting on the Board’s performance after the evaluation, directors declare that groups tend to function more effectively as a team.

3. Clarity about the role of directors and committees - Through examination of individual and group responsibilities, the evaluation process encourages Boards to spend more time and thought on their actual roles and responsibilities, leading to a clearer understanding of the individual roles of the director, committee, and CEO.

4. Involvement - Disciplined reflection on the directors’ participation and activity level at meetings can increase the level of involvement by all members of the Board.

5. Early warning system - By measuring performance against tangible objectives, a Board can more easily anticipate problems.

The Australian Institute of Company Directors has no information on how Australian Boards review their performance. The New Zealand Institute of Company Directors has an "Evaluation Best Practice" for New Zealand Directors. EMD’s experience in this area is that Australian practice mirrors the trend in the United States.

People and organisations cannot learn without feedback. No matter how successful a Board is, it is bound to succeed further if it is reviewed intelligently. Individual Director and Whole-Board performance reviews, through the Board Scorecard and questionnaire style feedback, appear to the most beneficial and appropriate forms of assessment.

Those who have served on a board recognise the essential issue and dilemma: a board is a group of diverse people with varying skills. What matters, and indeed what will determine the quality of its collective authority,
is the quality of the board dynamics, the quality of the relationship between board and senior executives and the quality of the reporting processes.

EMD's 'Board Performance Evaluations and Improvement' workshop will provide you with the methodology and impetus to establish an appropriate evaluation process for your organisation's board.

Topics covered include:

	Current Trends in Assessing Board Performance
	Current Practices in Director and Board Evaluation
	Director's performance
	Board evaluation
	Board and management communication
	Why Evaluate your Board and Senior Management?
	Objections to Board and Senior Management Evaluation
	Conducting Board and Director Assessments – the Options
	Benefits of Board Evaluations

EMD's expertise in this area means we are also able to partner with you to introduce and implement your board's performance evaluation and improvement process.

What Next?

If you are interested in more information please give us a call on +61 2 8399 0011 and ask to speak to one of our consultants. 

Alternatively e-mail us at info@emdgroup.com.au or use the form on our Contact Us page.

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