The BoardFocus approach is driven by our concept of MVG - minimal viable governance.
At BoardFocus, we are committed to empowering boards to shape the future and unlocking strategic value through minimal viable governance. Our objective is to work with Boards to transform their governance approach into a powerful catalyst for growth and innovation.
Our core concept of Minimal Viable Governance (MVG), coined by Dr MacCormick, offers an adaptable framework that ensures clarity and agility in today's dynamic business environment. Strategy and risk management are framed as joint enablers of performance, driven by a clear purpose and aligned values.
It is now easier than ever to establish a business, digital products and services, lower barriers to entry and potentially lower operating expenses. In the last Australian financial year there were a record number of new business registrations and a record number of exits.
Establishing fit-for-purpose governance within a business's operating foundations is crucial for unlocking its maximum value and securing long-term success.
Vision
“Empowered Boards that Shape the Future: Elevating Governance to Unlock Strategic Value through Minimal Viable Governance.”
Purpose (The Why)
“We believe that effective governance is the cornerstone of innovation and resilience. By simplifying governance structures, we enable boards to focus on what truly matters—strategic decision-making that drives meaningful impact, exercising their fiduciary duty.
Our mission
“Our mission is to transform governance into a catalyst for growth, ensuring that every organisation can thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
BoardFocus is founded on a core belief. Good governance must be part of how the whole organisation functions, throughout all levels. Dr MacCormick’s vision and purpose for BoardFocus is to unpack the black box of governance. Summarised in the term she coined Minimal Viable Governance (MVG), MVG is an adaptable fit-for-purpose ‘framework', not a fixed, immovable checklist. Contemporary Governance needs to must be pragmatic, aligned to your organisation’s unique purpose and easily applied to deliver value to key stakeholders in a fast changing environment.
Key elements of Minimal Viable Governance (MVG) include:
· Simplicity: Implement value-adding key governance processes and avoid unnecessary complexity.
· Flexibility: Adapt governance frameworks to changing circumstances, supporting autonomy within minimal, agreed guidelines.
· Transparency: Ensure governance policies are clear and accessible, fostering open communication and trust.
· Proportionate investment: Good governance is not only for large businesses. Small and medium enterprises can employ appropriate scale investment to ensure they are positioned for sustainable growth.
· Value Focus: Align governance activities with organisational goals, prioritising tasks that add value and lleverage the competitive advantage unlocked by excellence in risk mitigation
· Empowerment: Encourage self-governance by empowering teams to take ownership of their processes and decisions. Sustained growth and scalability of your enterprise depends on this.
Why Choose BoardFocus?
Tailored Solutions: We understand that no two boards are the same. Our MVG (Minimal Viable Governance) framework is designed to be adaptable, ensuring it meets your organisation's unique needs. Regardless of your enterprise size or sector.
Strategic Alignment: Our focus on strategic decision-making ensures that governance activities are aligned with your organisation’s strategic goals, not bogged down in operational detail.
Enhanced Resilience: By simplifying and clarifying governance structures, we help boards become more resilient and better prepared to face future challenges.
Proven Subject Matter Expertise: Our team of experienced professionals brings a wealth of knowledge and insight, ensuring that your board is equipped with the leading, world-class practices in governance. Our team comprises subject matter experts across all the critical disciplines that define best practice.
OUR PROVEN APPROACH
FOCUSED INSIGHTS
With extensive experience working with public, private, government and NFPs, across multiple sectors and geographies, we understand the nuances that exist in each board. We focus on the dynamics of the board, the people around the board table, their unique culture, prevailing market conditions, and the skills and experience they bring to the group. With a highly practical approach, we ensure feedback is understood and accepted – it is our genuine aim that our recommendations are put into use, not onto a shelf.
DRAWING ON RIGOROUS RESEARCH
Our methodology is fair, thorough, insightful and accurate. We thoroughly test assumptions. Building on our preliminary findings we seek to enhance them with our methodology. Our approach is shaped by our personal experiences and research, and draws on the great body of published research which is continuously updated to recognise the changing societal and regulatory landscape.
KEPT IN CONFIDENCE
We consider our Board Effectiveness Reviews to be an extraordinary privilege. We treat each board member with the utmost attention, respect and honour. The responses we capture are kept in confidence.
FIT FOR YOU
One-size does not fit all. Boards and individual directors cannot be compared to a “market norm.” In partnership we seek to understand what competencies are necessary to execute the organisation’s strategy, in the short and long, ensuring highly sensitive to the unique conditions of the board, the organisation and its context. We then customise the most effective evaluation strategy and questions need to conduct our Board Effectiveness Review.
TO BRING OUT YOUR BEST
We are here to assist the board to get the best from themselves both individually and collectively.
TIMING & DELIVERY
Whether a Board Effectiveness Review, Strategic Planning or Risk Appetite facilitation, Skills Assessment, Coaching or interactive workshop, the focus is on providing practical guidance for improvement and opportunities for growth. Deliverables may include reports to the board, individual and group behavioural feedback, templates for processes and policy development or structural recommendations.
A plan and timeline will be developed in consultation with the Chair, Company Secretary, Chair of the Governance Committee and/or other key personnel. The focus is on delivering an outcome that will be customised to your needs and context, drawing on world leading practice.
FOLLOW-UP & ONGOING SUPPORT
Our team will work with you to design the best approach for sharing the results of interventions with you and your board. The approach is professional, providing a blueprint for action
that is customised, practical and relevant to the current context.
Our Services
We’re fostering inspired leadership and governance practice.