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.

Corporate Governance Under the Biden Administration

Fiona Lu Board Governance, Board Structure, Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance, Executive Management, Shareholder Relations

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

Fiona Lu Corporate Governance, Corporate Governance Video, Featured Blog Video, board of directors, board origins, corporate governance

My name is Fiona 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

Fiona Lu Board Governance, Board Structure, Corporate Governance board composition, board culture, Board Governance, board of directors, board organization, Board Structure, corporate culture, corporate governance

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 […]

Business people looking at a screen during a video conference

Tips for Virtual Board Meetings

Fiona Lu Board Governance, Board Technology, Corporate Governance, COVID-19 board of directors, Board Technology, Corona Virus Tips, corporate governance, COVID-19, Virtual Board Meetings, Virtual Meeting Best Practices

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

Fiona Lu Corporate Governance, COVID-19, Crisis Management board of directors, Corona Virus Tips, corporate governance, COVID-19, crisis management, risk management, safety tips

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

Fiona Lu Corporate Governance, Corporate History Board Governance, board of directors, Corporate History, Corporate Roles, Corporate United States, Dutch East India Company, LLC, origins 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

Fiona Lu Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance, Corporate History, Crisis Management board of directors, board origins, corporate culture, corporate governance, Corporate History, Corporate Reform, Corporate United States, Enron Scandal, Institutional Shareholders, Sarbanes Oxley

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?

Fiona Lu Board Structure, Corporate Governance board composition, board culture, board diversity, Board Governance, board of directors, board origins, CEO, corporate governance

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

Fiona Lu Board Committees, Board Structure, Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance Board Committees, board composition, board culture, board diversity, board of directors, board organization, board origins, compliance committee, corporate governance, executive committee, finance committee, risk committee, technology committee, top 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 […]

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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

Fiona Lu Board Strategy, Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance board culture, board of directors, board of directors best practices, board organization, company values, corporate culture, corporate governance, tone at the top

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

Fiona Lu Audit Committee, Board Committees, Board Structure, Corporate Governance audit, audit committee, board composition, board of directors, Board Structure, corporate governance, cybersecurity, independent directors, risk management, US GAAP

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

Fiona Lu Board Strategy, Corporate Governance, Shareholder Relations board culture, board directors, board of directors, board of directors best practices, board strategy, corporate governance, Institutional Shareholders, shareholder relations, stakeholders

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 […]

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 […]