The board of directors is the ultimate decision making body of an organization responsible for overall policy decisions and provision of oversight function except for matters reserved for the shareholders during the general meeting. The board of directors can only be effective if its functions are clearly spelt out to them during their engagement as board members. The key functions of the board are therefore summarized as follows;
- Approving the strategic and business plans of an organization.
- Ensuring adequate policies to guide staff and management in the implementation of the strategic and business plans are in place.
- To appoint and fixed remuneration of the external auditors
- Fixing directors remuneration
- Engagement and termination of the Chief Executive
- Monitor and supervise the performance of management
- Monitor the organization’s compliance with the legal and regulatory framework.
- Approving material investments
including mergers and acquisitions
The organization can enhance the effectiveness of the board by ensuring the board has the capacity to carry out the above functions in a right way. This is only possible if the board is competent enough to carry out its functions.
Enhancement of the capacity of the board members
The capacity of the board to carry out its functions can be enhanced in the following ways;
Board induction program
The new board members have to be taken through an induction program which will enable them to appreciate the role of the board and its various committees .The new board members will also get an understanding of the organization including its financials, the business the organization is in and the market it is operating in. The business risks the organization is facing should be discussed with the new members so that they can clearly understand them. The new director must also get a feel of the people in the organization including succession issues. The new board members must also get an understanding of the key business relationships the organization has in place.
Role of non-executive directors
The new board must clearly understand the role of the non –executive directors as being to bring on board objective and creative contribution. The non –executive board members are expected to be independent and impartial with wide experience and special knowledge.
Capacity building
Special capacity building programs which provide both technical and soft skills should be arranged for the board members to ensure they keep abreast the challenges in the industry including the requirements of the regulatory framework under which the organization is operating.
Right skill mix at board level
For the board to deliver its mandate, the board should have a right mix of members which ensures maximum value is got out of it. The board with right mix should have board members with;
- Special expertise in the sector
- Technical expertise for example in the area of accounting , audit, IT and legal
- Ability to give strategic direction
- Skills which will give right strength to the board
Team spirit
Team spirit which enables cooperation and working well together at the board level cannot be taken for granted. The team spirit has to be cultivated and encouraged to grow through various team building activities at the board level.
Succession planning
It is expected time will come when some board members with given special skills have to retire from the board for various reasons. Their retirement should not leave a void at board level. Proper succession planning must be in place to ensure board members with special skills are promptly replaced when they retire.
Author
John Muhaise Bikalemesa
Director: Big Drum Advisory Services Limited
johnmuhaisebikalemesa@yahoo.com
