Boardroom Excellence: A Common Sense Perspective on Corporate Governance

By Paul P. Brountas

Book Overview

In Boardroom Excellence , author Paul Brountas, a corporate attorney with more than forty years experience, discusses the qualities and components of effective boards in today's post-Enron environment. Written in a concise format, the book is filled with informative practical advice for board members of private, public, and nonprofit organizations. Boardroom Excellence contains an informed discussion of fundamental corporate governance issues, including the duties and responsibilities of directors and the proper interaction of the board with the CEO and management. Brountas reveals how board members can be most effective when they are independent, possess integrity, are well-informed and involved, and are proactive. Boardroom Excellence offers timely information about Establishing the values and qualities that board members should possess Developing an environment in the boardroom where skepticism and serious discussion are encouraged Understanding what the CEO expects of the board and what the board expects of the CEO Creating effective independent audit, compensation, nominating, and governance committees Formulating guidelines for periodic evaluation of the performance of the board and individual board members

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787976415
• ISBN13: 9780787976415
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

So you really want to be a director?

Mr. Brountas is an elder statesman of the American corporation and of venture capital. If you are considering serving on the Board of Directors of an American corporation, this is the first book you should read, preferably before accepting a seat. He tells you what your responsibilities are to the Board, to the Chairman of the Board and especially to the stockholders. Consequently he educates you on legal matters and government compliance. But the real value of the book is for those who actually want to be good directors. Mr. Brountas begins with ethics, but moves into the higher levels of governance to help you be an active member, not a silent rubber stamp collecting payment for going along. Active board members drive the senior managers and give counsel and direction. You can further serve on a special committee of the board that draws on your particular expertise. Finally, he helps you decide whether or not a particular corporation is good for you in turn. It is not good enough for you to be a good governor in principle. The corporation must be good enough for you to be effective as well. Otherwise, not only will you do no good, you could land in harm's way from a shareholder's action, other litigation or government action. Highly recommended.