Board Training: Continuing to Build Board Directors Skills
While they may seem similar, board training and board education are two different things. Where board education focuses on general education around certain board related concepts while also learning how to be a board director, the actual environment around board training requires a much deeper dive to make sure that your board is packed with the most skilled directors possible. With the right training, board performance will be impacted in a positive direction and as much as it is a requirement for the board director to continue to find training opportunities it is also something that the corporate secretary can assist with. Without sufficient training, new and tenured directors could lack the skills needed to excel and since each board member is supposed to have some knowledge within every required field, there is always going to be one member that is the consummate expert.
One of the newer elements in the boardroom is leading your board through a digital transformation. Technology is becoming a more present element in the boardroom, i.e. board portals, and proper training, your board of directors will not be able to meet new standards and properly communicate with those directors fully versed in the technology side of things. In order to make sure your board is built for technical innovation you should either work with a vendor or an outside expert to ensure that all board members are fully trained. The board development committee should have a large hand in board member training as the committees sole purpose is to better utilize the specific skill-sets of the board of directors.
How To Improve Board Member Training & Development
Learning for a board member never ends. With every new industry or issue, proper training should happen to make sure that your board of directors is fully equipped to deal with every issue head on. Your board should always have a clear cut plan in plans to offer directors more training and development opportunities.
Purpose of The Board Development Committee
The role of the board development committee is to continue training and education for every board director. It is also to make sure that directors are following up with their training and doing everything that they need to be doing to excel in their role. Finally the board development committee needs to strive to make sure the board can reach its fullest potential.
Cybersecurity Training
Another growing need for training within the boardroom is cybersecurity. Aside from the NIST Framework which offers training for the board of directors to ensure that their organization is protected from growing cyber-threats, there are many other opportunities and ways to train board members. With certain communication channels and board members being globally targeted by hackers, it is very important that boards understand ways to combat the cyber-threat to protect themselves, their business and their customers.
Why Boards Need Training On How To Respond To Cybersecurity Incidents
Cybersecurity is a growing field of study for board directors. With technology being relied on for almost every facet of a business and being used in the boardrooms, board directors need to be as well-versed as possible on any cyber-threats to make sure that they are protecting their business. With the right training, a board will be better able to respond to cyber incidents as well as figure out why it happened and how to prevent another.
Technology In the Boardroom
Technology has become an ever present element in the boardroom. Board portals have usurped paper and are widely being relied on for all board communication. Email is slowly fading out while boards look to more secure communication platforms to ensure that director to director communication is protected and conducted in an environment that cannot be infiltrated. As such, board directors constantly need training to ensure that they use and understand the technology that is becoming commonplace in the boardroom. There are certain best practices that must be followed and whether it is an existing board member or a new one, a robust training program is always advised.