The boardroom of the future will be a place specifically designed to promote well-being and health for its participants. It will also need to be an environment that supports the use of technology that is digital to facilitate more efficient and effective meetings.
Furniture for meeting rooms, as an example, needs to be flexible enough to allow several participants to attend the same conference without compromising privacy or efficiency. The space must have the latest acoustic equipment and high-quality sound http://www.boardroomchallenge.com/what-is-a-board-director/ design to ensure that both in-person and virtual attendees are clearly heard. The space must also be able to incorporate natural light to ease eye strain and headaches during meetings. According to an earlier Harvard Business Review study, natural light is the top-rated office benefit, far ahead of more traditional and predictable options like cafeterias, fitness centers and other facilities that are located in the office.
Other innovations in technology could be useful in the boardroom, including real-time analytics and “living” management infographics which take the concept of dashboards and information graphics a step forward, as well as crowdsourcing technology, which could give an outside view of people who are involved. These tools can help boards better evaluate risks and create a stronger basis for decision-making.
Additionally, the boardroom for the future will need to include more sustainability-related expertise. This will require board members with knowledge about the effects of business activities on the environment as well as biodiversity, climate and human rights. It will also require new skills, including the ability of assessing the impact of ESG on long-term financial outcomes.
