Journeying with a Board Coach

Why seek external assistance?From experience, the reasons for engaging someone to work with your Board tend to fall into one of the following three categories:1. A well-established Board which is looking to take their

Board performance to a new level and they have an ‘appetite for change and improvement’.

2. A new Board which is looking to establish an effective foundation to guide its deliberations and ensure that all the ‘Directors are on the same page’ when it comes to their roles and responsibilities.

3. A dysfunctional Board which has lost its way due to internal conflict or external pressures and needs assistance to get ‘back on track’.

Coach or Mentor?A mentor is like a sounding board, they can give advice but the Directors are free to pick and choose what they do. The context does not have specific performance objectives.

A coach is trying to direct the Board to some end result, the Board may choose how to get there, but the coach is strategically assessing and monitoring the progress and giving advice for effectiveness and efficiency.

Australian Newsagents' Federation

The Australian Newsagents' Federation (ANF) is the peak industry body representing Australian newsagencies.

There are 5000 individually owned and operated newsagencies in the country.

Together, they make up Australia's largest retail and home delivery group turning over $6.5 billion a year and employing more than 20,000 people.

The problem with Governance is that there is simply..

145 Million results!!!

too much information!

Good Governance is pretty basic.If we apply common sense, it falls into place!

What we did..

• Started with one day workshops following the Bi-Monthly Board Meetings in Sydney.

• Ran a session on Good Governance practices• Conducted a Gap analysis• Drafted and agenda for the coming workshops • Put in place a range of policies and structures

to support the new directions• Promoted a culture of review and renewal.

Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree

Q1 I know and understand my role and legal duties as an ANF company director 1

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Q2 I contribute to the development of sound strategies 1

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Q3 I actively support the company’s mission and vision 1

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Q4 I actively review and monitor the strategic issues that are critically important to the success of the company 1

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Q5 I have a sufficient understanding of the market in which the company operates 1

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Q6 I keep abreast of trends and issues affecting the market in which the company operates 1

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Q7 I ensure that I have reviewed all Board papers prior to the meeting 1

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Q8 I actively contribute to the financial discussions 1

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Q9 I am aware of my financial accountability as a director 1

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Q10 I am fully aware of the financial state of the company 1

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Q11 I bring valuable experience to the board 1

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Q12 I actively contribute to the effectiveness of the board 1

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Q13 I use my network of contacts to assist me in my role as a director 1

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Q14 I am prepared to volunteer to sit on Board Sub Committees 1

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Q15 I maintain the confidentiality of the Board 1

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Q16 I ask probing questions to ensure I fully understand the issues being discussed 1

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Q17 My contributions are succinct and to the point 1

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Q18 My contributions are valued by my fellow board members 1

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Q19 I am prepared to undertake relevant professional development 1

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Q20 I maintain good relations with colleagues 1

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Q21 I communicate openly and honestly 1

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Q22 I am committed to doing my best for the company 1

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Q23 I share information willingly 1

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Q24 I listen attentively to the ideas of others 1

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Q25 I have no actual conflict of interest with the company 1

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Good Governance outlines 7 MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOARD

Get the Structure right Ensure good ProcessesSet the Strategic Directions

Direct the CEO Monitor the Organisation Report to theMembers & Stakeholders

Take responsibility for the Culture

What did we cover?Good Governance?

Fiduciary Duties

Role of Governance & Management

Effective oversightBoard Health Check

Risk profile

Board Committees

Strategic priorities

Roles and Responsibilities

Policies

Board Buddies

Membership models

Financial literacy

Independent Directors

Good committee processes

Reporting

Board CalendarCommunication

Ideal BoardDisplays Leadership, Integrity & Good Judgement.They use these three attributes to ensure more effective decision making. This ensures the organisation demonstrates transparency, accountability and responsibility.

Any questions?

A final thought….

Thank You!Paul GroganManaging DirectorMDO Consultingwww.mdoconsulting.com.au

M- 04 67 63 23 03