If you are planning to make your company a limited company, you are legally obliged (e) to have a board of directors. Although management (ie, the CEO and Chair) coordinating the daily decision making of your company, the board provides overall direction for your company.
The size of the board may vary from state to state, but the number of directors of the board can not exceed the number of shareholders, and in many states a board must have at least three people. The CEO and president of a small business report to the board of directors may, in some cases, rejecting the company or cancel their voting decisions. However, it is common for the president or CEO owns a large number of shares of the company, thus limiting the power of board to reverse their decisions.
Large public companies remunerate the directors for their services, but small companies tend to offer board members a stake in the company or just a lunch or a free dinner when the board meets.
When you create a board, you must select a board “internal” or “external”. An internal council is composed of friends, relatives and acquaintances in whom you trust and that is what the owners of small businesses created first. An external board is composed of people you recruit for their skills because you need to grow your business. If your company seeks an acquisition, or considering a takeover Farm, you’ll probably need skills that only an external board of directors will get.
If your business is not a corporation, it may be that you would form an advisory committee. An advisory committee is less formal than a board of directors in the sense that, generally, it does not hold regular meetings, and even in larger companies, it is common for members of advisory boards are not paid for their services. An advisory board is usually not allowed to remove an executive director and is set up primarily to provide business advice to a company.
Tips to constitute a Board of Directors
Form a board that complements the existing management
Look for people who bring new areas of expertise to your company. For example, if you own a small technology company but have no experience in marketing, looking for directors who can provide the experience you need in this area.
Organize management needs graphically
Create a chart to help you determine the type of talent needed to advance your society. Make a list of skills that your management possesses. You can then establish a list of skills that you must acquire and people with those skills.
Use the services of a headhunter
Some firms hiring managers specialize in recruiting directors and professionals / executives. For a fee, they will find you the candidates for directors. If you decide to use this service, remember that the company needs a good knowledge of yourself, your company, and skills you are looking for so that it could recruit effectively for you.
Use your network of colleagues and friends
A board can be balanced up from your old classmates, distributors, suppliers of professional services and knowledge. Make a list of candidates from the network, then review the list carefully to ensure you choose skills that suit your company and not just people you enjoy.
Hold the board of a manageable size
More your board is, the more likely it is to operate effectively. Unlike large companies that recruit board members of prestige to improve their corporate image, the council of a small company is usually a working board. The exception to this rule is if your small company go public and would require the services of a larger order to guide them through the process.
Make sure the CEO is in contact with potential board members
Once you’ve identified potential board members, the CEO should contact these individuals. If you’re the CEO, you should submit, provide details on the company, explain how you got his name and indicate that you would arrange an appointment to discuss a possible participation on the board.
Look for people that can raise capital
Even if your company does not need to raise capital now, it will probably be in the future. Board members with experience and solid financial knowledge on how to raise funds, are always an asset.
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