Executive Advisory Institute

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.

The Origins of the Corporate Board

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My name is Allyn Liu, and I’m a part of the executive advisory team. I’m here to introduce you to the executive advisory institute blog, which offers five weekly articles on board governance. To understand the importance of board director positions, we must take a look at how governance boards came to be. While the […]

Board Organizational Frameworks

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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 […]

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Tips for Virtual Board Meetings

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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

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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 […]

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Board Structure Strategy

Fiona Lu Board Structure, Corporate Governance board composition, board culture, board of directors, board of directors best practices, Board Structure, corporate culture, corporate governance, independent directors

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 […]

Tone at the Top: Why Board Member Values Matter

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No matter how many policies and guidelines a corporation issues regarding standards of behavior, the lessons that matter are not expressed through writing. Tone at the top tier management level is all about trust, and trust is earned through actions. People on all rungs of the corporate ladder notice on a daily basis the attitude […]

The Importance of Audit Committees

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Public companies are required to have audit committees to perform annual audits of their financial reporting and disclose certain financial information. This requirement was established by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2002 after the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), which formally defines the roles of the audit committee as overseeing financial reporting […]

Representing Shareholders Best Practices

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Corporate governance is an important topic of interest to many investors because it represents a key metric for a company’s future sustainability and success. Both shareholders and stakeholders alike are keen to notice strong governance and a comprehensive board strategy, leading corporate governance to become a paramount determinant of corporate reputation. Best Practices for Improving […]

Managing Cyber Risk

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In this digital age, technology yields the power to open new business avenues for companies, but also presents new challenges for cybersecurity protection. With so much of today’s markets being dominated by digital assets, managing cyber risk has become an increasingly important and tricky topic for boards to navigate. Boards play an indisputable oversight role […]

Choosing the Right CEO

Fiona Lu Board Strategy, CEO, Corporate Governance, Executive Management board of directors, board strategy, CEO, corporate culture, corporate governance, Corporate Roles, executive committee, executive management, senior management, succession planning

One of the integral responsibilities of the board of directors is choosing the right CEO for the company. Directors must carefully weigh and discuss this decision, keeping in mind the company’s performance needs and actively planning for succession. The integrity of the CEO is essential to a strong company relationship and enabling the board to […]