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WHAT WE DO

Helping boards move forward 

Our approach

A structured approach

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Governance problems are rarely caused by bad people or a wrong decision. 

 

We find governance challenges develop gradually, and are often predictable. Boards naturally turnover. One director coming or going can shift the board’s ‘personality’ and its collective capability. As changes happen, the board re-forms -- inheriting whatever has been normalized.

 

Our governance effectiveness framework is where we start: what information we gather, what questions we ask, and how we report back. 

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Once the core essentials are covered, we go where the conversation goes.

Our service pathways

We help boards move from uncertainty to informed action: building sustainable effectiveness across a continuum of services.

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01 — Diagnose
Gaining Clarity on the Issues

An independent analysis of how an organization actually works, its gaps to best practice — and a short list of what to change first. 

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Examples:

  • Board evaluations

  • Governance review

  • Organizational or operational review

  • Program evaluation

  • Funding model analysis

  • Financial review

  • Policy analysis

  • Stakeholder consultation and analysis

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04 — Learn
Building Board Capability

For organizations that have foundational board development needs, or would like to dig into more advanced topics, we provide a range of training and development options that emphasize the board’s oversight role and assist directors in developing appropriate governance-level questions.

 

Our coaching programs that help board chairs and committee chairs to run more effective meetings and get more out of every director in the room.

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Examples:

  • Customized Board Training (e.g. governance of AI, succession, financial oversight, risk oversight, CEO search and selection, performance evaluation, director fiduciary responsibilities)

  • Annual Director Development

  • Director Orientation Programs

  • Chair / Committee Chair Coaching

What’s On Your Mind?

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02 — Design
Aligning on a Future Vision

Whether changes are large or small, we help you figure out a better way. 

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We work with you to envision a new strategic plans, governance model, policy framework or accountability structure that is shaped around your actual mission, strategy, and stakeholder expectations.

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Examples:

  • Strategic plans

  • Governance models or structures

  • Membership structures

  • Organizational design

  • Management structure

  • Role definition

  • Board committee mandates

  • Board composition and director profiles

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05 — Embed
Outsourced governance and executive support

Our senior team of former Corporate Secretaries, operational executives and senior board admins can work as an extension of your team through challenging times on a short or long term basis, as things change and new practices are fully embedded.

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Corporate Secretary Services (part-time)

We’re with you in meetings, supporting your decisions until the new way of working is simply how you work.

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Agendas, minutes, records and compliance items handled with care, at the standard a board deserves, and help get you on the right track.

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Fractional Leadership (part-time)

Our people have worked in senior HR, communications, operational, IT leadership roles across multiple sectors: Big 4 professional services, Crown Corporations, provincial governments, and regulatory authorities.​

We are always happy to connect. Let’s discuss what’s on your mind.

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03 — Implement
Bringing decisions to life

Whatever is needed for your organization, we can help you do. Bylaws, terms of reference and delegation that fit your organization. Documents people can actually use.

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We work alongside the board and senior leadership team to implement your decisions, usually on a project basis.

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Examples:

  • Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence

  • By-law revisions

  • Governance policies

  • Operating plans

  • Communications plans

  • Board and management dashboards

  • Policy-writing

  • Policy management frameworks

  • Management reports and tools

  • Project management

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