Online board meetings are an excellent option to keep board members engaged, and make decisions without the need to travel. A few common challenges may affect the efficiency of your board meetings and hamper productivity.
Disconnections. Remote participants may experience difficulties connecting to a virtual conference unlike in-person attendees. While this may not be a major issue, it can still create a feeling of disconnect and reduce engagement levels. Make sure you offer an effective video conferencing system that is simple to use and has excellent audio quality.
Inadequate documentation. Minutes must be precise and clear. The minutes-taker should keep a record of all discussions and decision-making in writing to avoid confusion later on. You should also think about investing in a system of document management that allows you to securely share and manage meetings materials and records.
Low board member involvement. It can be difficult to recreate the camaraderie which is experienced in person. To counter this, consider including a few icebreakers, breakout sessions or even an exercise to your meeting.
Time constraints. The limited time available for discussion of each item during an online board meeting could be a major drawback. Set an time limit for each discussion. Be sure to not overload your directors with tedious topics that are difficult to talk about.