Better Boards has designed a certification programme for company secretaries, consultants, investment managers, trainers, and executive coaches.

The programme was certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the world’s largest non-profit association of professional coaches.

Participants attending the certified training

• Understand what makes boards, Executive Committees and their leadership teams effective.
• Learn how to use the Better Boards online, providing sound, data-driven feedback and initiating a learning and development process at the top of the organisation.
• Understand how to design their board evaluation and review processes.
• Become part of a board advisor community. Meet, collaborate and share experience and insights with colleagues without losing independence.

Gain a competitive advantage with the Better Boards licence

Selected company secretaries, consultants, investment managers, trainers, and top executive coaches have the opportunity to learn and use the online tool of Better Boards. As certified Better Boards Advisors, you can compete more effectively in the market, set yourself apart and offer an innovative and successful approach to your internal and external clients.

Company secretaries, consultants, investment managers, trainers, and top executive coaches gain access to an evidence-based toolkit which is based on the latest research findings and has a proven track record of success. They avoid having to undergo a costly and lengthy development process themselves. Better Boards provides the resources you need to deliver an effective process to any board or Executive Committee in any organisation. They will also enjoy the obvious benefits of working as part of a fine community.

Better Boards Limited is also a certified provider of professional development programmes for coaches (Continuing Coach Education – CCE). Certification has been granted by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the world’s largest non-profit association of professional coaches. The licensing programme grants participants 26 CCE units. Besides the general benefits of the ICF, the program is also a perfect proof for the individual and professional development.

Better Boards has built a strong community in which members can benefit professionally and personally from a dedicated network of experienced practitioners.

You will have access to the expertise and experience of other members in the community who will help you to maximise your impact on the market. Members of the Better Boards Community provide a high level of professionalism and expertise in working with boards and Executive Committees.

Better Boards partners also offer certified members to work with us on our assignments.

Membership Requirements

The hallmark of the Better Boards Community is not its size, but its high level of expertise and experience in board and senior management consultancy. Members must meet the following requirements:

• Ten years’ practical experience working in a large/ medium-size organisation and/or management consultancy.
• Five years’ experience of working with and/or as part of a board or Executive Committee.
• A written reference from a member of a board or Director of an Executive Committee.

Better Boards has set a new standard in the services it offers. This standard continues to evolve with the changing needs of the market.

Company Secretaries, consultants, investment managers, trainers, and top executive coaches, seeking to provide state-of-the-art services, must continuously develop their expertise and know-how. They have to find the right balance between investing in their continuous development and providing satisfactory services to their clients. They also have to sell their services and create a convincing package to secure their position in the market.

Better Boards shares its unique expertise and is in the process of creating a strong community of board advisors. The Better Boards Community:

• Enables its members to remain independent.
• Enables members to share experience and knowledge, ensuring high-quality services.
• Continuously improves and refines the support services for top management levels.

Better Boards has created a licensing model because successful consulting includes a consulting personality, as well as the correct approach. Together we can set new standards and ensure that these standards remain state-of-the-art.

As part of the Better Boards Community:

• You have access to a process and an online tool which are based on solid research, peer-reviewed and published, have been tried and proven to generate measurable results.
• You are given a new methodical basis that allows you to initiate learning and development at the top of any organisation.
• You will be able to enhance your professional profile and strengthen your positioning together with Better Boards.
• You can further your development by sharing information with other experienced colleagues.
• You will maintain your independence, but gain access to the best international practice and partners, which will give you the capacity to take on higher-volume clients, explore additional sources of revenue or if you are employed by an organisation provide your organisation with a cost-effective solution.

How can investors support board and management teams in their portfolio companies to realise ambitious value creation plans, which are quick, effective and sustainable?

Pressure-based and micro-management approaches have not been successful. However, a training programme designed by Better Boards has proved invaluable. The training programme is specifically designed for investors and addresses the leadership tasks facing investment managers. The programme includes two half-day workshops, based on the Better Boards approach and covers the seven hallmarks that constitute the effectiveness and success of any board or senior executive team. During the first half-day workshop we:

• Introduce you to the seven hallmarks of effective boards and Executive Committees.
• Explain the latest research and show how you can use this knowledge in your work with portfolio companies.
• Demonstrate how you can get to know the individuals on the board and in the management team and how you can work with them even more effectively throughout the holding period of the investment.

During the second half-day workshop you:

• Understand how you can make an even greater positive impact on value creation by working through the board and management team.
• Learn from good practice and apply the insights in the organisations that are assigned to you.
• Develop a personal action plan for increasing your impact and making a greater contribution to the value creation plans.

Better Boards also offers one-to-one telephone or video sessions with participants to give them an opportunity to discuss specific challenges they face in their portfolio organisations.