7 tips for the board for the new year

How can the Board optimize its work? How can the board make the administrative work more cost-effective and easier? Here are some basic principles and tips that are useful to follow.

1. The whole Board is accountable together
   It is important and fundamental that all Board members familiarize themselves with issues and decisions. The whole Board is accountable for what is decided. Each Board member should therefore familiarize themselves with the issues being discussed and review the documents presented. If something is unclear, each Board member has the right to ask for clarification. You will be a strong board when everyone can stand up for the decisions together.
    
2. Use the right digital tools
   Make administrative work more cost-effective and easier with the right digital tools. Having board materials scattered on different devices, in different apps, with different board members or in binders creates confusion and unnecessary administrative work. Make sure to gather all board material in one place with a Board Portal with features that facilitate board work and that all board members have access to wherever they are.
   
   Here you will find an optimal guide to choosing the right Board Portal.
    
3. Think long-term and not just about the present
   What the board does today affects how the organization feels and where it will be in five years. Therefore, it is good to set up a continuous board work that can be handed over to new board members in an easy way and that they can get an insight and get started with the board work in a quick and smooth way. Keep track of all active contracts and renegotiate leases, bank loans, insurance and electricity contracts continuously. Set up a maintenance plan and put aside savings in a fund for unexpected expenses.
   
4. Set concrete and realistic objectives
   It is much easier to carry out a good board assignment if there are concrete objectives. Both short-term and long-term goals that can extend over several years should be set. It is important that the goals set are realistic. To make board assignments even easier, it is practical to create a clear division of labor and responsibilities within the board so that each board member knows what is expected and feels involved.
   
5. Pay attention to decisions
   To make board meetings more time-efficient, set a time limit for each item so that it is not discussed for too long. Make sure to attach supporting documents to the invitation and send it out well in advance so that each board member can come prepared. At the end of each item, make sure you summarize the decision together so that it is clear.
   
6. Create a clear meeting process
   Distributing meeting documents can be time consuming. Therefore, it is good to have a digital tool that can facilitate the administrative work around a meeting, see the meeting function in the Board Portal here. Make sure to create a structured protocol to keep a good pace of work and to keep track of things. The minutes are the basis for decisions so make sure that they are not left lying around, but sign them as soon as possible after the meeting, with e-signing you can facilitate and streamline that process, read more about e-signing here. It should be possible to follow an ongoing case and it should be clearly stated what was decided and who should do what. It is also important that anyone who misses a meeting can quickly find out what was decided and not have to wait until the next meeting.
   
7. Follow up on decisions
   Long-standing issues can sometimes be left unresolved and where there is not much happening, the timeline and material are easily lost. Therefore, it is good if you always go back to previous minutes and check what has actually happened with matters that have been raised. 

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• Review of the platform's features.
• Answers to questions and concerns.
• Tips on how to run your board work in a smart way with the Board Portal.