A rapidly changing business environment and increasing shareholder expectations give the present and future members of the board the opportunity to shape the board’s future. By adopting a forward-looking approach to governance and focusing on the pursuit of continuous learning, boards can be prepared for the challenges and opportunities that will be ahead.

A sustainable boardroom needs a strong narrative, as well as accurate data. This includes a clear picture of the environmental footprint of the business as well as its social impact and dedication to sustainability concepts. The boardroom should also be equipped with the tools needed to manage the complex and interdependent business cycles. To be able to meet these demands boards will have to use technology that can be easily managed and secured with the possibility of risks carefully assessed.

For example using a secure board management software such as BoardPro will allow for efficient communication and collaboration between all stakeholders. Boards can also access real-time click to find out more analytics and “living” information so that they can see the impact of their decisions on the business at any given time. Furthermore, using technology that permits crowdsourcing, it can aid businesses in gaining valuable insights from employees, customers and community members who may have insights that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

The future boardroom will be more diverse and inclusive. It will need to be aware of the importance of diversity not just in terms gender and ethnicity as well as in terms of the mindset and background too. In the same way, the boardroom of the future will be one that is geared towards education to better manage cybersecurity as well as other emerging issues, like climate change.