The board room for the future must be a space designed to enhance the health and well-being of its members. It should also be a setting that supports the use of technology that is digital for more efficient and effective meetings.
Furniture for meeting rooms, as an example, will need to be flexible to allow many people to participate in the same meeting without sacrificing privacy or efficiency. The space will need to be equipped with state-of-the-art audio design and a top-quality audio system that will ensure that both attendees in person as well as those who are online are heard clearly. Natural light is guide for virtual board meetings needed to ease eye strain during meetings. According to a Harvard Business Review survey, natural light is the most requested office perk. It’s a step above regular and predictable options, like cafeterias and fitness centers.
Other innovations in technology that can be useful in the boardroom include real-time analytics, «living» management information using the concepts of infographics and dashboards a step further and crowdsourcing technology that could offer an outside view from the perspective of stakeholders. These tools can assist the board to better assess risks and create more solid foundations for decision-making.
In addition, the boardroom of the future will need to include more sustainability-related expertise. Board members will need to be knowledgeable about the impact business activities have on the environment the climate, biodiversity, climate change and human rights. It will also mean incorporating new competencies such as the ability to evaluate the impact of ESG issues on long-term financial outcomes.