Productive online board meetings depend on a variety of elements such as a well-planned agenda and clear protocols for communication and reliable technology. Boards that adopt best practices can still reach high levels of productivity despite the challenges.

Begin your meeting with an open discussion. The ability to ask questions that force participants to express their opinions can be a great way to spark discussions. A polling or survey tool at the beginning of your meeting can also help you identify areas for improvement.

Limit the time you devote on reports and other “must-do” items. If you overwhelm attendees with lengthy reports, they will quickly lose interest and concentration. As a general rule it is best not to spend more than 25 percent of your time in these types of discussions. This will allow plenty of time for discussions regarding more strategic questions.

Make sure everyone is satisfied at your meeting. Use the Boardable platform in productive online board meetings order to increase participation and create an warm and welcoming environment for all attendees. Encourage members of the board to be present and on time, adhere to the conventions of meeting protocol, and maintain a high standard of professionalism.

A successful online board meeting requires board members to be aware of how their role in the organization is impacting others. Using tools like Boardable’s Minutes Maker and Task Manager, it’s easy for board members to update their responsibilities between meetings and stay informed of developments and challenges. This fosters collaboration among the board and creates a more active, productive online meetings.