Corporate Social Investment at Board Level

In my view, one of the clear differentiators between the way Africa sees governance, and the way that the USA looks at it, is that in Africa there is far more focus applied to the positive impact that a company can have on a broad range of stakeholders, whereas in the USA the focus tends […]

Required: Evolving Board Composition

Understanding the composition of a company’s board goes far beyond knowing the resumés of its members or what demographic differences exist; it delves into the intricacies of how decisions are made and strategies formulated.  Each board member brings a unique blend of skills, experiences, and perspectives that collectively shape the board’s dynamics and decision-making processes. […]

Fundamentals of Board Meeting Success

When preparing for a board meeting, one must answer two fundamental questions, namely, “What is the reason for the meeting taking place?” and “What does the board want to accomplish at the meeting?”.  The answers set the tone for creating the platform for everyone to contribute meaningfully when meeting together, and is supported by four […]

Five Ways to Boost Boardroom Dynamics

Effective boardroom dynamics are crucial for the success and strategic direction of any organisation. A well-functioning board can drive innovation, ensure accountability, and provide valuable insights, while poor dynamics can lead to stagnation and conflict.  Leverage these five ways to boost boardroom dynamics – based on Contribution Compass and the Sirdar Governance Compass – and […]

The Parable of The Little Tree in The Big Forest

Once upon a time in a vast and ancient forest, there grew a Little Tree. This Little Tree was full of potential, dreaming of reaching the sky and providing shade and fruit to all the woodland creatures. But the path to greatness was fraught with challenges. The Tall Trees and the Struggle for Sunlight The […]

The environment, stupid

James Carville, a political strategist who worked for 42nd US President Bill Clinton, came up with what has often been quoted as “It’s the economy stupid”. The slogan needs punctuation to achieve its full effect. The Clinton campaign for President of the United States in 1992 focused on an economic recession. It was effective. President […]

Lost in Translation: Navigating the Labyrinth of Corporate Governance

In the intricate realm of corporate governance, TLAs (Three-Letter Acronyms) serve as indispensable tools, streamlining communication and encapsulating complex concepts into succinct abbreviations. However, for the uninitiated, navigating this landscape can feel akin to deciphering a cryptic code and have even the most seasoned executive scratching their head in bewilderment. Picture this: You enter the […]

How Good Governance Supports Scalability

Good governance is a universally applicable principle.  One of the key misconceptions that we come across frequently is that governance training in Africa is not applicable to Europe, Asia or the USA. The principles are in fact applicable everywhere, as can be seen from the development of ISO 37000 (Governance of Organizations) that is applicable […]

Four Board Culture Red Flags

Billy Connolly (Scottish Comedian) once described parliament as “a beautiful building where great ideas go in, then get bashed about by a few and then emerge a shadow of their former self and of no use to man (actually bugger) or beast”.  How would you describe your boardroom? A boardroom by its very nature should […]

Globalise your Boardroom Skills

As the media attention starts to shift to France for the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, I am reminded of Casablanca, a well-known Hollywood film. Toward the end of the film, the male protagonist reminds his lover, as she departs to start a new life, that they will always have the memory of their time […]