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Corporate Governance

Corporate strategy

Perhaps the most succinct and comprehensive definition of strategy was offered by a member of the Lead Director Network: “Strategy is answering the question, 'How are we going to beat the competition sustainably?'”

While board directors acknowledge differences in the particulars of a board’s role in strategy, they generally agree on the fundamentals:

  • Oversight of strategy is one of the board's most critical duties 
  • Director's full expertise should be brought to bear in delivering this oversight
  • Strategic oversight should be ongoing, not episodic, activity

With companies entering new markets, deepening existing ties to global markets, and competing with new or expanding firms, corporate strategy is increasingly focused internationally, where businesses see new growth opportunities and new risks.

Boards must understand the international risks and opportunities that are at the heart of corporate strategy. To fulfill that need, boards seek to attract, retain, and develop a group of skilled and diverse directors who are conversant in global markets and issues.

Explore this issue:

  • Strategy, risk appetite and the board

    Boards oversee strategy development in various ways, but crises drive increased engagement. Audit chairs said that effective oversight includes the use of dedicated strategy days and outside experts. They identified key topics of discussion, such as competitors and disruptive technologies. Audit chairs also explored the concept of risk appetite and its links to strategy.

  • The board's role in strategy oversight

    Canadian audit chairs examined the board's crucial role in strategy oversight and observed that great strategies require focus, vision, and leadership. Some members said the best strategies arise from collaboration between the board and management: "Management had developed a great strategy, one we were excited about. The plan was great, but the board thought it was moving too slowly. When we discussed this with management, we were able to accelerate the plan and our success."

  • The board's role in strategy oversight

    NEACN members discussed the best ways to develop effective strategies, the leadership qualities required to lead great strategies, and the common pitfalls that thwart effective strategies. Members also outlined a number of steps that the board can take to help their companies enhance their strategic planning activities, including involving external advisers such as strategy consultants and futurists, ensuring productive strategic off-sites, incorporating feedback from the external audit firm, and engaging with shareholders.

  • Strengthening the board-management dialogue on risk and strategy

    Bank directors are actively engaging with management to develop bank-specific approaches to improve risk governance and the link to strategy based on answers to fundamental questions about their firms' long-term direction, appropriate risk capacity, and resiliency under stress.

  • Engaging with strategy after the financial crisis

    Lead Director Network (LDN) members discussed how they engage with strategy in a post-crisis, globalized business environment. The focus of their renewed strategic review is often international, where the excitement concerning impressive growth opportunities is tempered by distinctive risks. Ambassador Susan Schwab, the 15th United States Trade Representative, joined the meeting as a guest.

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