Making the Board More Strategic: A McKinsey Global Survey

This article describes the results of a global survey, conducted by McKinsey in February 2008, of about 600 directors, approximately a third of whom sit on the boards of companies generating revenues over one billion dollars. The survey addresses how directors view the overall performance of the boards on which they sit, with a focus on how time should best be allocated among their various areas of responsibility. This study comes up with an interesting set of conclusions, notably the fact that most directors would like to devote more energy to strategic development and talent management. Survey respondents typically said they would like to see improvements in the strategic thinking process, the quality of available information and board member expertise.