The Strategic Board

How much does a board affect strategic success?  It’s a fair question – we all know companies that have done very well when their board’s main contribution has been to stay out of management’s way and let them get on with it.  But there are also plenty of examples where board action has had a clear impact on strategy, for good or even sometimes for ill.  Most of us understand that (contrary to the dreams of so many commentators) a board can’t ensure success – but that it can, if it works at it, improve the quality of management decision-making and thus contribute to the chances of success. 

In this e-bulletin we’re looking at some of the ways that a board can work at making a positive contribution – and how your board review might focus more on the board’s impact on strategic success.  And, as usual, there are suggestions of things to avoid.