As a very rough guide to my time, I am on four boards and reckon I spend around my time on portfolio management depending on how things are going. That equates to 2.5 days per month each.

And in addition to that there is a very intense getting to know you period whilst the deal gets done in the first place.

cheers,
Nic

As a very rough guide to my time, I am on four boards and reckon I spend around my time on portfolio management depending on how things are going. That equates to 2.5 days per month each.

And in addition to that there is a very intense getting to know you period whilst the deal gets done in the first place.

cheers,
Nic

For example, say you have a friend. You meet her in a group of seven once per month. How much are you really ‘in’ her life? Do you really know what is going on? How do you expect to know and understand of what is going on in her life in that group setting? Even if you were the ‘best’ friend in the world, you would find it pretty hard to ‘add value’, I guess.

If you want to add value, you need to spend time with people. One-on-one. Otherwise, you are really just an observer, who can occasionally comment. That is fine, but that is probably not what people would understand as having a close friend.

Why should boards be different?

For example, say you have a friend. You meet her in a group of seven once per month. How much are you really ‘in’ her life? Do you really know what is going on? How do you expect to know and understand of what is going on in her life in that group setting? Even if you were the ‘best’ friend in the world, you would find it pretty hard to ‘add value’, I guess.

If you want to add value, you need to spend time with people. One-on-one. Otherwise, you are really just an observer, who can occasionally comment. That is fine, but that is probably not what people would understand as having a close friend.

Why should boards be different?

A good non-exec can add massive value with just a well placed and appropriate question. Equally, a poor non-exec can destroy value with endless inane questions that waste everyone’s time and show a weak grasp of the business.

In a large board it can often become a contest between execs and non-execs to make sure they’re heard and are seen to be participating. It takes a strong and confident individual to remain silent when they have nothing to say when there is an underlying fear of not being seen to add value. A small board makes the participation much easier and a good chair will ensure everyone’s view is taken before the meeting ends.

It’s easy to forget that a NED can also add value by being there when there is a real challenge to the business. They may not take such an active part when things are running smoothly but they can be invaluable when things go wrong (as they inevitably will at some point). A calm head in the storm can make all the difference.