Being a good board Chair

Being the Chair of a startup board is a demanding and enriching experience that includes a number of responsibilities that other board members don’t share. Managing the additional demands on one’s time and resources while utilizing extensive people skills can be a tough balancing act.

This workshop is designed to expand on the core curriculum of the Startup Board Academy and guide Chairs through the various role requirements, from legal and administrative frameworks to crisis management.

The Chair position

The role of the Chair

• Establishing strong connections between the various stakeholders of the startup
• Ensuring proper information flow between various company entities
• Collaborating efficiently with the CEO
• Managing other board members and conflicts of interest

The skills and fit required

• Leveraging organizational skills
• Attuning communication skills for efficient collaboration with various company entities, especially the CEO
• Adopting a strategic mindset
• Assessing financial goals, risks and implications
• Understanding company development stage, values, and vision, as well as specific requirements regarding the necessary time commitment and expertise
• Understanding business tools and documents

How to become a Chair

• Transitioning from founder to Chair, from CEO to Chair, or combining the two roles: advantages and pitfalls
• Transitioning from independent board member to Chair: pros and cons

Compensation

• Chair compensation types: benefits and downsides

Key processes led by the Chair

Managing the CEO

• Differentiating Chair and CEO roles and responsibilities
• Understanding and implementing decision-making processes
• Setting up a working model for collaborating with the CEO: establishing goals, conducting performance reviews and compensation assessments

Assisting shareholders in the selection and recruitment of board members

• Full recruitment process overview
• Assessing the board’s specific needs and ensuring diversity

Liaising with shareholders

• Differentiating between board and shareholder information (information rights)
• Ensuring accurate quarterly updates on the financials, KPIs, business, team and competitive landscape
• Choosing the proper channels for efficient upstream information circulation
• Guaranteeing important decisions are taken in alignment with the legal requirements and company rules

Additional board Chair responsibilities

Addressing challenges and crises

• Assessing challenging factors (business strategy, human relations, PR crises, and blockage to proceed)
• Anticipating risks

Coordinating and performing administrative tasks

• Liaising with auditors and lawyers
• Documenting risk factors
• Ensuring delegation to management is properly established

The workshop allows for an excellent opportunity for current board members to discuss specific challenges and benefit from each other’s experience and insights into how to be an effective Chair.

Workshop duration

1.5 hours.

Workshop format

Video conference.

Pricing

• External participant: CHF 150
• Board Academy Alumni: CHF 130

15% discount on booking three or more workshops.

Trainers: Virginie Verdon et Brigitte Baumann.