This blog offers practical insights on relevant governance issues presented in a digestible format. Periodic posts will be added to inform our readers on the vast world of corporate governance and how you can succeed in it.
Theranos: An Innocent Board?
Elizabeth Anna Holmes is the founder and CEO of Theranos, a medical technology startup which claimed to have revolutionized blood testing by using much smaller amounts of blood and hence making it abundantly more convenient and accessible. By 2015 Theranos was valued at $9 billion and Holmes was named the youngest and wealthiest female self-made […]
The NYSE Refrains From Adopting Diversity Requirements
NYSE Diversity for Listed Companies
Inflation on the Responsibilities of the Board
The phenomenon of inflation warps myriads of aspects of corporate life, and perhaps most significantly the task of the compensation committee. As prices across the board skyrocket, budgets must be increased and compensation packages must be reevaluated. In the current inflationary economy boards must advise based on the level and rate of inflation that […]
Demand for Board Director Diversity is Soaring
As it nears the end of 2023, many of America’s top public companies showcase increasingly diverse boards of directors. Although there has been significant progress in expanding director appointments, to reflect many types of diversity, there is always room for improvement. Recently, the corporate sector has been overwhelmed by the impact of the pandemic, geopolitical […]
Board Diversity Legislation
Board Diversity Legislation Even in the private equity sector there has been a demand for women by investors as the performance of more diverse companies has been steadily increasing relative to those with no women on their boards. Similarly, having all-male all-white boards is a common sign of bias within the appointment process signifying a […]
Corporate Governance Under the Biden Administration
The transition to the Biden administration is expected to have a significant impact on corporate governance. This impact is due in part to specific governance related proposals that will pass through the administration, and in part to how Biden’s policies will influence state legislation, governance best practices, and board conduct. During his campaign, several proposals […]
The Origins of the Corporate Board
How exactly did the corporate board come to be? This is an important question to consider when thinking about how important board director positions are today. The concept of corporate governance in practice dates back as far as the 12th-16th centuries. Although many of the fundamental principles of corporate governance have endured the test of […]
Board Organizational Frameworks
Developing a strong organizational framework for the board of directors is critical to ensuring that company matters are addressed by the correct committees and receive the attention necessary for solving these matters. Issues of importance should be prioritized appropriately and given ample time for review. Corporate Culture and Board Organization There are many mechanisms for […]
Tips for Virtual Board Meetings
In the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, virtual board meetings have proven to be an invaluable and necessary step to take in preventing the spread of disease. Virtual meetings are an effective way to convene during times of crisis and save valuable time and resources by eliminating the need to set up a physical […]
Tips for Navigating COVID-19
Editor’s Note: Don’t forget Board of Director’s primary responsibility is insuring the well being and longevity of the company, which means making sure the company has the resources to function, retaining customers and employees, and managing risk. The COVID-19 outbreak is a human tragedy that has affected detrimental impacts on families, consumers, businesses and the […]
The Origins and Evolution of Corporate Governance
To understand the important job that board directors uphold, we must first take a look into the complex origins of how governance boards came to be. While the foundational pillars of governance have remained constant, the dynamics of how they operate have since evolved to encompass broader roles. We will examine the historical emergence of […]
Scandal Outbreak Leads to Corporate Boardroom Reforms
The fundamental pillars of corporate governance revolve around independent, non-biased decision making that serve the best interest of the company, though early boards lacked the legal and structural framework to uphold these principles. As numerous scandals led to rising public scrutiny, the role of the the board evolved to encompass a separation of director interests […]
What is the Role of a Board of Directors?
In simple terms, boards are the governing bodies of corporations elected to make major decisions concerning financing, mergers and acquisitions, selling the company, nominating the CEO, and when or if they should release an IPO to take the company public. The board serves the corporation as its agent and makes decisions in an unbiased service […]
Overview of Board Committees
In the ever-changing digital age, board committee structures must constantly evolve to keep up with changes in capital markets and trade policy. Board members face new challenges everyday regarding the complexities of corporate values, strategy and risk management. A recent Harvard Law School study tracked board structures since 2013 to examine how S&P 500 companies […]
Board Structure Strategy
The board of directors is appointed by a company’s shareholders with the expectation that directors will govern according to the shareholders’ and company’s best interest. Their purpose is to discuss strategies and make key decisions on financial affairs that will lead the company towards long-term prosperity and sustainability, while protecting the interests of all shareholders […]
