Online board meetings demand a different level engagement than those held offline, and it can prove difficult to determine ways to energize these meetings. Begin by making sure your virtual boardroom has reliable video conferencing, clear communication protocols and the appropriate meeting materials. From there you https://boardmanagementsoftware.info/discovering-digital-instruments-for-the-board-of-governance/ can put in place effective protocols to guide participants through the online meeting process and make it easier for them to participate in productive discussion.
Be sure that each item on the agenda is accompanied by a goal for the conversation, such as “decide an action item” or “spark new ideas.” This will help you get away from the topic at hand as soon your desired outcome has been achieved and avoid over-staying your welcome. In addition, setting a time limit for each discussion point can help keep the discussion from getting lost.
Start with the most critical items on your agenda. When you are in person for board meetings it is possible to pick up on body language signals that signal the other members have something important to say. However, these cues are more difficult to spot when remote meetings are held. Start with the most important subjects to ensure that everyone is engaged in the discussion and feels that their time was well spent.
Use a consent agenda to free time for more controversial discussion topics that may not have as much of an impact on the group. Agenda items that aren’t controversial can be voted on by all members before the meeting begins to allow you to concentrate on the things that matter most. Similarly, consider inviting expert guests to give short talks or insights that will broaden the board’s view and help to ward off boardroom groupthink.