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    International Corporate Governance Network: Annual conference starts today!

    Conferences Leadership Research
    I have arrived in London ahead of the International Corporate Governance Network conference which starts today. The organisers have prepared a full three-day programme (agenda here), based at Guildhall (an historic building in central London).  Further details are available here.
    I'll post summaries here during the conference. Please contact me if you'd like to meet up during the conference, or if you want to know about a particular presentation.
  • Published on

    Three conferences in three weeks, starting in 13 days

    Conferences Governance Leadership Performance Phd Research
    Here's the trip schedule:
    In just under two week's time (June 1), I embark on another trip to England and Europe. The main purpose of this trip is to attend three important corporate governance conferences, to contribute to the emerging conversation. Many of the world's leading advisors, company directors and academics will be at the conferences. I am honoured to be speaking at two of them. 
    June 2
    June 3–5

    June 8–9
    June 11–12
    June 15
    June 17–20
    June 20
    Arrive in London
    International Corporate Governance Network Conference, London
    (click to set up meeting at conference)
    Available in London or nearby (Want to meet? Get in touch)
    International Governance Workshop, Barcelona (my paper abstract)
    Limited availability in London (Want to meet? Get in touch)
    European Academy of Management, Warsaw (my paper abstract)
    Return to New Zealand
    If you are interested in a specific conference presentation but cannot attend, please let me know. I'll try to attend for you and post a report. Conference updates will be posted here and on Twitter during the conferences, so check back if you are interested.
    I'm looking forward to reconnecting with #corpgov friends and associates, making some new connections and testing some of the ideas that have emerged from my research work. Much coffee will be drunk, no doubt! If you'd like to meet up, at a conference or separately, please get in touch.
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    Selling a major company asset to a director, and doing so properly

    Accountability Ethics Governance Leadership
    Is it ever OK to sell a major company asset to one of the company's directors? One must be careful, very careful. The safe answer is probably 'no', because the proximity of conflict is ever-present and the question of whether the transaction satisfies the director's duties provisions (to act in the best interests of the company) sets a very high bar to clear.
    However, a recent case in New Zealand suggests that such transactions can be completed, and well, if certain provisions are satisfied. In this case, Dorchester Property Trust (DPT) wanted to sell one of its properties the Goldridge Resort Queenstown (GRQ). A DPT director wanted to acquire the asset. The DPT board acted cautiously. The director took no part in determining whether the asset should be offered for sale, and was excluded from the process of assessing acquisition offers. As such the board's handling of the matter satisfied the related party transaction requirements.
    While some investors were a bit scratchy over some some matters (see the article), few if any concerns over the GRQ transaction have been raised. This suggests that the board handled the matter well, in both a legal and a moral–ethical sense. Well done to the DPT board.
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    Do you have a 'heads-up' habit?

    Leadership Management Performance
    One habit that has served me well for many years is the 'heads-up' habit. It's really simple. Every week, I pause and look ahead, as follows:
    • Every Saturday morning—before breakfast—I look ahead at least four weeks. The motivation is to identify big tasks (typically international trips and major events) loaded into my diary: the objective being to make sure sufficient preparation time is allocated to think, write speeches, build slide decks or prepare well. It gets me thinking—early—about the main points of scheduled talks or important meetings. It has the added benefit of highlighting gaps in trip schedules and, therefore, opportunities to request additional meetings or activities well in advance. I also check trip logistics, especially travel time, accommodation and transport. There's nothing worse than realising at the last minute that an important connection or hotel booking has not been made! This part of the heads-up habit helps me avoid last minute rushes.
    • Every Sunday evening—after dinner—I look ahead seven days. I do this with my wife. We walk through our respective calendars to see what activities we need to plan for, and whether either of us will be home late from a commitment or away overnight (a seemingly simple but incredibly important thing, especially when it comes to planning the evening meal!). This part of the habit helps me manage important relationships.
    In the past, I sometimes lost sight of important upcoming activities (and ended up suffering late into the night trying to make up—the results of which were never that great). However, last-minute rushes have become a rarity since I embraced the heads-up habit. If you don't have a habit to stay of top of your commitments, you might like to try this one. It made my life easier and I seem to be more productive. Also, my wife says that I'm easier to live with!
    Most people I know live fairly busy lives. Western culture and the 'always on' society we live in has done that to us. However, some—by my assessment anyway—have become a bit too busy for their own good. Societal norms seem to reward busyness and excellence, yet cracks start to appear when we get very busy for long periods. We get tired and make mistakes. Our commitment to do things with excellence suffers. How do you cope in such situations? Do you plan well ahead; or, do you manage your commitments on a daily basis; or, do you simply back yourself to keep up with what work and life serves up? 
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    ICAEW posts excellent discussion on capital market changes and impact on corporate governance

    Accountability Governance Leadership Performance
    The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has recently published an informative series of documents to help directors and executives respond to changes in capital markets and how they affect the foundations of existing corporate governance frameworks. The material is great. Here's a series of links to the source documents:
    While the intended audience is the ICAEW membership, the commentaries are useful for company leaders in other jurisdictions—if not directly then certainly as discussion starters around board and executive tables. If you are based in England or Wales and have any technical questions, please contact the ICAEW. If your business is based outside the UK and you would like to organise a facilitated discussion to explore how to take advantage of the suggestions, I'd be happy to help.
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    Paper accepted on Understanding Governance Workshop programme

    Conferences Governance Leadership Research
    I am thrilled to announce that I have been asked to attend and speak at the Understanding Governance Workshop, to be held in Barcelona, Spain, on 11–12 June, 2015. 
    The purpose of this workshop is to bring together leading thinkers to discuss contemporary directions in governance; to challenge the status quo, in terms of how boards work and how research is conducted; and, to give voice to innovative critical research. My paper, entitled "Executive-controlled boards, power and influence: A reality check", fits the second and third categories. Thank you to the Workshop organisers and paper reviewers for considering this contribution worthy to be included on the programme.
    With this invitation, my conference schedule for June is now confirmed, as follows:
    I will be in the UK and EU from 2 June through 20 June, and am available for other advisory, speaking or facilitation engagements between the conferences. I'd be happy to discuss corporate governance, board practice, strategy or related topics; including the results of my latest research. If you wish to take advantage of my proximity, please get in touch.