Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Board Effectiveness Enhancement in Professional Services


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Corporate Governance to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR The organization faced Corporate Governance challenges that led to a decline in shareholder value due to board inefficiencies and outdated practices. The successful revamp of its governance structure resulted in improved board efficiency, a 25% increase in shareholder satisfaction, and a 10% rise in shareholder value, highlighting the importance of effective governance in driving organizational success.

Reading time: 6 minutes

Consider this scenario: The organization in question is a mid-sized professional services provider specializing in financial consulting, grappling with Corporate Governance challenges as it scales operations.

Despite a solid client base and market reputation, the organization has seen a dip in shareholder value, attributed to board inefficiencies and outdated governance practices. The organization seeks to realign its governance structure with industry best practices to foster sustainable growth and restore investor confidence.



In assessing the organization's situation, it appears that the board's composition and processes have not evolved in tandem with the organization's growth, leading to suboptimal oversight and strategic guidance. A hypothesis might be that the root causes include a lack of diversity in board expertise, insufficient use of technology in governance processes, and inadequate succession planning. These factors could be contributing to the organization's inability to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving professional services landscape.

Strategic Analysis and Execution

This organization can benefit from a structured, multi-phase approach to revamping its Corporate Governance. Such a methodology can provide a clear roadmap for enhancement, ensuring that governance practices are aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives and industry benchmarks. Consulting firms commonly employ these frameworks to ensure a comprehensive and systematic transformation.

  1. Board Composition and Structure Review: Evaluate the current board composition, assessing the balance of skills, experience, and diversity. Key questions include: Does the board have the necessary expertise? Are board members' roles and responsibilities clearly defined and aligned with best practices?
  2. Governance Process Optimization: Streamline governance processes through technology integration and process reengineering. Focus on key activities such as meeting cadence, decision-making protocols, and information flows. Explore potential insights from digital tools that facilitate governance.
  3. Performance Management and Accountability: Establish clear performance metrics and accountability mechanisms for board members. Analyze current evaluation practices and benchmark against leading practices, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  4. Succession Planning and Talent Development: Develop a robust succession plan for board members and senior executives. Key analyses include reviewing talent pipelines and leadership development programs. Interim deliverables may include a talent map and succession timeline.
  5. Stakeholder Engagement Enhancement: Improve communication strategies with shareholders and other stakeholders to ensure transparency and trust. Potential insights include stakeholder perceptions and expectations, with a focus on enhancing shareholder value.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Corporate Governance best practices:

ISO 37000:2021 (Governance of Organizations) Awareness (72-slide PowerPoint deck)
Complete Strategic Management Consulting Guide and Toolkit (178-slide PowerPoint deck and supporting ZIP)
Governance Review Template (1-page PDF document)
IT Governance Framework (23-slide PowerPoint deck)
Corporate Governance: Guide for SMEs (27-slide PowerPoint deck)
View additional Corporate Governance best practices

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Implementation Challenges & Considerations

The CEO may have concerns regarding the disruption caused by governance changes, the time frame for seeing tangible results, and the cost implications of the transformation. It's crucial to communicate that while initial disruptions are inevitable, they pave the way for more efficient and effective governance. Results can be progressive, with some improvements noticeable in the short-term, particularly in board meeting efficiency and decision-making. Cost concerns are valid, but the return on investment from enhanced governance can be significant, not just in financial terms but also in reputation and strategic positioning.

Post-implementation, the organization can expect increased clarity in strategic decision-making, improved risk management, and a more agile response to market changes. Enhanced board performance can lead to better oversight, which should translate into a stronger alignment of the organization’s operations with its strategic vision, ultimately improving shareholder value.

Potential challenges include resistance to change from board members, the complexity of integrating new technologies, and the need to maintain business continuity during the transition. Addressing these challenges head-on with clear communication, phased implementation, and robust support will be critical for success.

Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Efficiency is doing better what is already being done.
     – Peter Drucker

  • Board Meeting Efficiency: Time spent on strategic vs. operational issues.
  • Board Member Performance Ratings: Based on predefined criteria aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Shareholder Satisfaction: Measured through surveys and shareholder meeting feedback.
  • Risk Management Effectiveness: Frequency and impact of governance-related issues.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Corporate Governance Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Corporate Governance. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Corporate Governance subject matter experts.

Key Takeaways

For a Professional Services firm, Corporate Governance is not only about compliance but also about enhancing the strategic value that the board brings to the organization. Implementing a systematic approach to governance, like the one outlined, can lead to a more dynamic and effective board, which is essential in the highly competitive professional services sector. According to McKinsey, companies with strong boards have seen a 10% higher median return on equity than those with weaker boards.

Deliverables

  • Corporate Governance Assessment Report (PowerPoint)
  • Board Composition Analysis (Excel)
  • Governance Process Optimization Plan (Word)
  • Succession Planning Framework (PowerPoint)
  • Stakeholder Engagement Strategy (PDF)

Explore more Corporate Governance deliverables

Case Studies

One notable case study involves a global management consulting firm that underwent a board transformation. By redefining board roles, embracing digital tools for governance, and implementing a performance management system, the organization not only improved operational efficiency but also saw a 15% increase in shareholder value within two years.

Another example is a leading financial advisory firm that focused on succession planning and talent development, leading to a seamless transition in leadership and sustained business growth, even in the face of market volatility.

Explore additional related case studies

Additional Resources Relevant to Corporate Governance

Here are additional best practices relevant to Corporate Governance from the Flevy Marketplace.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Enhanced board meeting efficiency, reducing time spent on operational issues by 20% and increasing focus on strategic matters.
  • Implemented a performance management system for board members, leading to a 15% improvement in board member performance ratings.
  • Improved shareholder satisfaction by 25% through more transparent and effective stakeholder engagement strategies.
  • Developed a robust succession planning framework, ensuring leadership continuity and preparedness.
  • Integrated digital tools for governance, streamlining processes and improving decision-making efficiency.
  • Increased shareholder value by 10%, aligning with McKinsey's findings on companies with strong boards.

The initiative to revamp Corporate Governance has been markedly successful, evidenced by significant improvements across key areas including board efficiency, shareholder satisfaction, and overall shareholder value. The integration of digital tools and the focus on strategic issues over operational matters have notably enhanced decision-making processes. The performance management system and the implementation of a succession planning framework have not only improved board member performance but also ensured leadership continuity. These results underscore the effectiveness of the initiative, aligning with industry benchmarks and case studies that highlight the correlation between strong governance and increased shareholder value. However, the journey was not without challenges, particularly in overcoming resistance to change and integrating new technologies. Alternative strategies, such as more gradual implementation phases or enhanced change management practices, might have mitigated some of these challenges.

For the next steps, it is recommended to continue monitoring the implemented changes through the established KPIs, ensuring that the governance structure remains dynamic and responsive to both internal and external changes. Further investment in leadership development and continuous improvement of digital governance tools should be considered to maintain momentum and address any emerging challenges. Additionally, regular reviews of board composition and stakeholder engagement strategies will ensure that the organization remains aligned with best practices and continues to enhance shareholder value.

Source: Corporate Governance Improvement Project for a Multinational Company, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials




Additional Flevy Management Insights

Governance Reinforcement in Telecom Operations

Scenario: The organization in question operates within the telecom industry, which is characterized by fast-paced technological advancements and regulatory complexities.

Read Full Case Study

Global Expansion Strategy for Maritime Security Firm in Asia-Pacific

Scenario: A leading maritime security provider in the Asia-Pacific region faces a strategic challenge due to shifting governance structures within international waters.

Read Full Case Study

Strategic Growth Plan for SMB Fishing Charter in Pacific Northwest

Scenario: A small to medium-sized fishing charter business in the Pacific Northwest is facing significant challenges related to corporate governance and market competition, evidenced by a 20% decline in annual bookings.

Read Full Case Study

Event Planning Strategy for Corporate Governance Seminars

Scenario: A specialized event planning organization focusing on corporate governance seminars is facing a strategic challenge due to a 20% decline in attendance and a 15% increase in operational costs.

Read Full Case Study

Governance Redesign in Global Sports Franchises

Scenario: The organization is a global sports franchise facing challenges in its Governance structure.

Read Full Case Study

Corporate Governance Improvement for a Mid-Sized Technology Firm

Scenario: A mid-sized technology firm is facing significant challenges in its Corporate Governance structure.

Read Full Case Study

Global Supply Chain Strategy for Textile Mills in Southeast Asia

Scenario: A leading textile mill in Southeast Asia, known for its high-quality fabric production, is facing significant governance challenges amid a dynamic global market.

Read Full Case Study

Growth Strategy for Boutique Fitness Studio in Urban Markets

Scenario: A boutique fitness studio, operating in competitive urban markets, is facing governance challenges that affect its scalability and market penetration.

Read Full Case Study

Corporate Governance Enhancement in Aerospace

Scenario: The organization, a mid-sized aerospace components manufacturer, is grappling with governance issues that have manifested as a lack of clear decision-making processes and accountability structures.

Read Full Case Study

Global Strategy for Engineering Firm Specializing in Renewable Energy

Scenario: A leading engineering firm, focused on renewable energy solutions, is facing governance challenges that are affecting its strategic direction and market position.

Read Full Case Study

Digital Transformation Strategy for Healthcare Telemedicine Provider

Scenario: A leading telemedicine provider in the healthcare industry faces challenges in governance and market adaptation, struggling to keep pace with the rapid digitalization of healthcare services.

Read Full Case Study

Corporate Governance Evaluation and Improvement for High-Growth Tech Firm

Scenario: A high-growth technology firm has experienced significant governance challenges due to rapid revenue growth, a wide range of product offerings and expansion into new markets.

Read Full Case Study

Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.