Governance Bites

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich speaks with recovering entrepreneur Josh Comrie about managing tension and conflict in the boardroom. He asks how you identify early signs of tension, and how you address them before they escalate. Josh outlines strategies he has found effective for resolving conflicts and maintaining productivity in board meetings. They discuss preparing for potentially contentious topics on the agenda, how to encourage healthy debate, and dealing with power dynamics. Josh also shares advice for newer directors who find themselves dealing with this type of conflict.
Josh Comrie is a recovered serial entrepreneur. Now he is a business adviser and conference speaker, helping ambitious entrepreneurs to grow and exit profitable, fulfilling businesses. Prior to this, he founded or co-founded several businesses, including The Attention Agency, Flying Kiwi Angels, Ambit, Potentia and Aspire Executive Search. His governance career includes director roles on several of his startups, and former President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (NZ). Josh’s ebook, “The Exit Factor: Sell your company for a life-changing sum”, is available at www.joshcomrie.com, and his podcast, "2 Commas", is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #ceo, #governancebites, #boardroom, #entrepreneur, #succession, #2commas

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Paul Brown about learning boards. They discuss the role of continuous education in board effectiveness, and how it influences strategic decision-making. Mark asks how a board can foster a culture of continuous learning, common pitfalls to avoid, and strategies a board can employ to ensure directors remain engaged and continue to develop. He also asks Paul the best governance advice he’s received. 
Paul Brown is Managing Director of Boardworks (https://boardworks.nz/), who perform governance services such as board evaluations and governance structure reviews. His governance experience includes Stephenson & Turner architects and engineers, Emergency Alliance, Independent Living Services, Panuku Development Auckland and Council for International Development NZ. He was also CEO of ChildFund New Zealand for 17 years. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #ceo, #governancebites, #boardevaluation

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to David Callanan about supervising KiwiSaver schemes and managed funds, which is like a separate layer of governance to the board of directors. David outlines supervision and custody, and how the supervisor interacts with the fund manager's board of directors. They discuss the key issues facing managed funds, and the macro-economic and societal issues facing fund managers. David also shares his advice for new directors. 
David Callanan General Manager of Corporate Trustee Services at Public Trust. He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, and has been Chief Risk Officer at Public Trust, Tower Insurance, and RACQ Insurance in Australia (often including Company Secretary). He spent 4 years at PwC in Australia and London, and worked for the Citibank-State Street joint venture CitiStreet Australia for 6 years prior to that. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #governancebites, #boardroom , #cgi, #charteredgovernanceinstitute

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Rhiannon McKinnon about the CEO working with the board chair. He asks about this special relationship, and how this differs from executives reporting to the CEO. They discuss the remoteness of the relationship, and the types of decisions and information that are delegated entirely, or reported. Rhiannon talks about the importance of trust in the relationship, and how to establish boundaries. She also shares advice she would give to a new CEO about working with a chair.
Rhiannon McKinnon helps new and aspiring CEOs step up and thrive. She has founder and instructor of CEO 101 (https://www.ceo101.nz) which provides online courses and coaching for senior leaders which complements her consultancy business, Cassiobury (https://www.cassiobury.co.nz/), which provides strategic advice and counsel. Prior to this, she was CEO of Kiwi Wealth, the KiwiSaver provider and fund manager associated with Kiwibank. Rhiannon held this role at the end of a decade with Kiwi Wealth, Gareth Morgan Investments, Kiwibank and New Zealand Post. Rhiannon has a background in corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. 
A big thank you to Alexander PR (https://alexanderpr.co.nz/) for hosting us in their lovely office!
#governance , #leadership , #corporategovernance , #boardcraft , #decisionmaking , #makingadifference , #ceo, #governancebites , #boardroom

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Paul Brown about board evaluations. He asks about the process, frequency, and impacts. Paul talks about internal evaluations, and addressing gaps identified during board reviews. Mark also asks what advice Paul would give to a new director.
Paul Brown is Managing Director of Boardworks (https://boardworks.nz/), who perform governance services such as board evaluations and governance structure reviews. His governance experience includes Stephenson & Turner architects and engineers, Emergency Alliance, Independent Living Services, Panuku Development Auckland and Council for International Development NZ. He was also CEO of ChildFund New Zealand for 17 years. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #ceo, #governancebites, #boardevaluation

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Dr Peter Crow about governance in developing countries. Peter outlines governance challenges in developing countries, and the impact of factors such as political and regulatory environments, corruption, and weak institutions. He talks about the impact of cultural differences, including the history of Western colonialism. They also discuss effective ways to improve governance capability in developing nations. 
Dr Peter Crow has a PhD in corporate governance and strategy. Not only is he an experienced chair and director, he has also designed and delivered governance courses in New Zealand (for the Institute of Directors, and Governance New Zealand), and overseas, in countries including India, Kenya, Lithuania and Ireland. He has presented about governance on five continents, and he works with and advises boards around the world. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #ceo, #governancebites

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to David Callanan about Corporate Trustee Services. They discuss how Corporate Trustees interact with Boards of Directors, and the biggest challenges both groups face. David also gives his thoughts on governance in Australia and New Zealand, and shares the best governance advice he's received in his career. 
David Callanan General Manager of Corporate Trustee Services at Public Trust. He is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, and has been Chief Risk Officer at Public Trust, Tower Insurance, and RACQ Insurance in Australia (often including Company Secretary). He spent 4 years at PwC in Australia and London, and worked for the Citibank-State Street joint venture CitiStreet Australia for 6 years prior to that. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #governancebites, #boardroom , #cgi, #charteredgovernanceinstitute

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In this video, Mark Banicevich asks Rhiannon McKinnon about the role of the chief executive, working with the board of directors. He asks about reporting to the board, the challenge of shifting from management to board meetings, and how to discover and alleviate directors' biggest concerns. They also discuss other issues, such as the benefits for the CEO of working with a board, working with each director, and the challenge of dysfunctional boards. He also asks what advice Rhiannon would give to a new CEO. 
Rhiannon McKinnon helps new and aspiring CEOs step up and thrive. She has founder and instructor of CEO 101 (https://www.ceo101.nz) which provides online courses and coaching for senior leaders which complements her consultancy business, Cassiobury (https://www.cassiobury.co.nz/), which provides strategic advice and counsel. Prior to this, she was CEO of Kiwi Wealth, the KiwiSaver provider and fund manager associated with Kiwibank. Rhiannon held this role at the end of a decade with Kiwi Wealth, Gareth Morgan Investments, Kiwibank and New Zealand Post. Rhiannon has a background in corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. 
A big thank you to Alexander PR (https://alexanderpr.co.nz/) for hosting us in their lovely office!
#governance , #leadership , #corporategovernance , #boardcraft , #decisionmaking , #makingadifference , #ceo, #governancebites , #boardroom

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich talks to Dr Peter Crow about ethical dilemmas in governance. Dr Crow outlines the importance of directors' individual values aligning with the entity's values, and they discuss various situtations where the entity's values may conflict when making a decision. Dr Crow refers back to director duties, and the importance of directors knowing these well, and they discuss director options when their values contrary to a board decision. 
* At 24:30, Dr Crow mentions an external resource. You can find it here: https://www.blueprintforbusiness.org/the-principles/
Dr Peter Crow has a PhD in corporate governance and strategy. Not only is he an experienced chair and director, he has also designed and delivered governance courses in New Zealand (for the Institute of Directors, and Governance New Zealand), and overseas, in countries including India, Kenya, Lithuania and Ireland. He has presented about governance on five continents, and he works with and advises boards around the world. 
#governance, #leadership, #corporategovernance, #boardcraft, #decisionmaking, #makingadifference, #ceo, #governancebites

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In this episode, Mark Banicevich asks Simona Turin about boards balancing strategic discusions with discussions about risk and business as usual. They discuss how director liability can incentivise conservativism, and how boards can find a better balance with strategy. Simona also shares some advice with new directors. 
Simona Turin is Chief Executive Officer of AcademyEX, succeeding Frances Valintine. She is presently a director of Fidelity Life, and two tech startups. Simona has an extensive background in information technology. She has started her own companies, and has held senior and executive roles in companies such as Spark, Air New Zealand, and Xero. She has worked in New Zealand and the United States. 
#governance, #governancebites, #ceo, #boardroom, #boardcraft, #leadership