Even if it only consists of one or two persons, every corporation has a board of directors. As a business expands, its founders frequently consult with others before making critical choices. The appointment of additional directors, maybe including independent or non-executive directors, to form a more formal board is one way this happens. Another way is by setting up an advisory board.
The Board of Directors’ Function
A board of directors, sometimes known as a governance board, is a collection of people who are legally in charge of an organization’s management, direction, and governance. The duties and liabilities of a board of directors are defined by laws and regulations, and these laws and regulations can differ from one state or one country to another.
The shareholders of a company elect the board of directors members to act on their behalf. They meet regularly to provide general business oversight and to establish company policy. They are responsible for the organization’s performance in accordance with its goals and objectives.
Directors have a fiduciary duty to manage the organization on behalf of the firm’s shareholders or members, and their choices have legal consequences for both them individually and the corporation as a whole.
Although both the size and makeup of a board of directors might change, it is common for a board to include both executive managers from within the company and external, independent directors who can offer an unbiased and objective viewpoint. A board of directors normally meets once every month, including between-meeting activities and discussions.
A Board of Advisors’ Function
An advisory board is a collection of people chosen by an organization to offer specialized or strategic counsel in the effort to address a variety of challenging or complex business issues.
Key company representatives, an independent Chair, and carefully chosen outside specialists (advisors) who are recruited based on the specialised knowledge or technical experience they can bring to help address a range of difficulties the firm may be experiencing often make up an advisory board.
Unlike a board of directors, an advisory board’s members are not bound by any fiduciary duties and do not have the power to act or make decisions on behalf of the organization.
The corporate form of the company is generally supported or supplemented by advisory boards, which meet several times annually. A major element of a well-structured advisory board built on a best practice basis is a charter that sets the terms of reference for the board’s structure, participation, and activities.
An advisory board may be employed by a company for a number of reasons. It could be to provide direction on how to grow the business, manage a significant transformation, help the business manage a catastrophic crisis, expand into new markets, or address a specific business issue.
How Is a Board of Advisors Chosen?
Members of the advisory board are typically chosen by either directly requesting assistance from members of the business community or approaching a professional organization.
Advisory board appointments are often flexible, in contrast to the frequently strictly specified periods for board of directors, to allow for the make-up of the advisory board to vary and change over time to match the needs of the organization.