Best-in-class boards and post-COVID-19 governance
In a world deeply changed by the coronavirus, boards are preparing for fully renewed governance: new topics, new practices, new concerns.
During this webinar – which appeared live on 29th May 2020 – Didier Cossin, IMD Professor of Governance, Founder and Director of the IMD Global Board Center explores the major shifts that boards are preparing to address, from technology to geopolitics, and from M&As and consolidation to future supply chains.
Professor Cossin dissects the effects on principles of governance, which are shaken as new diversity replaces old diversity and as command economies challenge state-to-business relations. Using recent examples, Professor Cossin explains how governance quality has been a key driver of performance during the crisis, and how it will remain a key differentiator in the post-crisis world.
The webinar examines the principal question – what makes great governance today? – in depth.
One aspect of great governance is successful board work in the post-COVID-19 world, according to Professor Cossin. Different boards have different strategies, but in the end a few key ingredients are necessary for success.
“Where and how does the board play its role?” Professor Cossin questions. “Is it co-creating the strategy or is it supervising the strategy?
He has been teaching boards – for decades before the current crisis – that they must prepare in advance for such disruptions. Professor Cossin notes that “Preparation is everything”, adding that, surprisingly, more than half of companies do not have proper crisis management strategies in place.
“Profits are still the best proof that you are using your capital and resources from society properly.” Professor Cossin insists.
Examining the post-COVID-19 period, Professor Cossin delves into the new challenges to board effectiveness post-crisis.
Six factors are very important: technology and new ways of working; globalization and geopolitics; stakeholder management; consolidation and M&As; shareholder power; and stewardship.
“Certain skills are often lacking on boards,” says Professor Cossin, “Digital skills are not always the most important of them, surprisingly – it can be political or geopolitical savvy.”
For the Q&A session, Professor Cossin is joined by moderator Stephen Smulowitz, Term Research Professor, IMD Global Board Center, and answers questions on climate and society and how they are challenging boards, amongst other topics.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Leaders risk getting lost in information overload and complexity. It’s time to reframe and look at the world through fresh eyes.
Alex Reinhardt was brought in to turn around a renewable-energy company that had been on the verge of bankruptcy until the German government bailed it out. After he fainted from overwork and burnout and had to take a medical leave, the board appoi...
Swarovski CEO Alexis Nasard on leadership, redefining luxury, and driving brand transformation.
In late 2020, as the world began to emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wärtsilä, a Finnish corporation specializing in power systems, made a bold decision. Despite being a well-established company with a strong track record in...
Anne, a newly appointed CFO at a global manufacturing group, transitions from consultant to leader, embracing delegation, strategic thinking, and career growth.
Today’s chaotic and turbulent competitive context means the board’s role is more important than ever. Beyond their traditional oversight role, boards today are critical in shaping strategy, managing risks, maintaining accountability, and driving i...
Leaders are always trying to figure out how to get more social power at work. So, how do you develop your social power with the groups and teams around you?
In the newly revised second edition of Hostage at the Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others and Raise Performance, clinical psychologist, distinguished leadership professor, and veteran hostage negotiator George Kohlrieser com...
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges. From navigating market volatility to managing limited resources, SMEs must find ways to build resilience within their t...
From absorbing stress to finding your authentic voice, leaders of global companies share the wisdom that has helped them excel in their roles.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in Binder, Julia Katharina (Ed.); Haanaes, Knut Bjarne (Ed.) / Leading the sustainable business transformation: A playbook from IMD, pp. 1-7 / Hoboken: Wiley, 2025
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications