Course Facilitator
Ralph Ward is an internationally-recognised writer and commentator on the role of boards of directors, the secrets of how “benchmark” boards excel, corporate scandals and reforms, and the future of governance worldwide.
He is publisher of the online email newsletter Boardroom INSIDER, the worldwide source for practical, first-hand advice on better boards and directors. For more information visit the
website here.
Ward is author of the books Boardroom Q&A (2011), The New Boardroom Leaders (2008), Saving the Corporate Board (2003), Improving Corporate Boards: The Boardroom INSIDER Guidebook (2000), and 21st Century Corporate Board (1997).
He has also edited The Corporate Board magazine, the international journal of corporate governance, since 1990. For more information visit the
website here.
Program Overview
The board of directors is a fundamental element of corporations worldwide. Often, though, “best practices” for boards remain undeveloped, poorly implemented, and sometimes even subverted. This course delivers an intense one- or two-day training program on the tools you will need to shape your board into a powerful, professional fiduciary.
You will review the codes of governance best practice that have been developed by national, regional and global authorities. You will learn the elements of effective boards, including leadership, structure, membership,
organization, legal duties, and building positive boardroom chemistry. Best of all, Ward chairs “virtual board” meetings with your class, as you join to work out solutions to the actual governance problems that face real boards of directors.
Recent Feedback:
“Very helpful… keep this speaker on your list!”
“Should be introduced to all boards… Excellent job!
“A good course… I will recommend it to our directors.”
“The discussions among the participants were very useful and informative to gain others’ experiences”
“Great program, very useful information and updates that certainly help.”
“He covered a lot of important relevant information and knowledge.”
“I found the course very useful and informative, especially the discussions of best practices among the group. Thank you Mr. Chairman!”
What will you learn:
-What is effective corporate governance? A review of current best practice codes from local regulators and the world’s major NGOs and professional groups, as well as standards and regulation for Asia, the Middle East, Africa
and Europe.
– Meeting the fiduciary responsibilities of directors for risk, for controls, for investors.
– How does the board build effective relationships with management, auditors, regulators, shareholders, etc.?
– Shaping strong board leadership, committees and information systems.
– How do boards deal with special challenges (founding family matters, government directives, nepotism, lack of independence, corruption, investigations, etc.)?
– How do smart boards handle risk management, strategic planning, succession, M&A, shifting government policies, foreign exchange risks, etc.?
– Crafting excellent board meetings, agendas, discussions, procedure and scheduling.
– How can your board deal with actual governance problems (boardroom battles, poor leadership, factions, self dealing, company crises, noncontributing members)?
| Session 1: |
Introduction |
| Session 2: |
The elements of an effective board and governance
structure |
| Session 3: |
Specific governance issues – inside the boardroom |
| Session 4: |
The structure and workings of an effective board |
| Session 5: |
The board role in setting strategy and policy |
| Session 6: |
Flashpoints |
