Governance
WHAT IS GOVERNANCE?
Governance is simply the implementation of a set of mechanisms to ensure better coordination among an organisation’s stakeholders within an ethical framework.
THE ESSENTIALS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
The essentials of good governance include:
- Clear rules and policies
- A clearly defined ethical framework
- Adequate monitoring that ensures self-examination
- A clear and well-structured onboarding process for any new board member
- A team and board of directors mobilised around a common mission
- Effective communication of expectations among stakeholders
- Consistency between board of directors and senior management expectations, to avoid internal conflicts and focus efforts on organisational development
- A neutral and balanced board of directors
WHAT ARE THE GOVERNANCE-RELATED CHALLENGES?
Organisations may face various governance-related issues, such as:
- An insufficiently engaged stakeholder who fails to fulfil their role according to the organisation’s established rules
- A stakeholder who oversteps their responsibilities, becoming overly involved in operations to the detriment of the organisation’s functioning
- A board of directors that is insufficiently engaged or mobilised around the organisation’s mission
- Unclear stakeholder roles due to gaps in policies or regulations
- Stagnation hindering the organisation’s progress
- Lack of succession planning
- And more
Organisational stagnation can be symptomatic of a governance problem. The board of directors is designed to provide an external perspective in such situations. However, the board and the organisation’s situation may not be aligned, or there may be a lack of trust between management and the board. The organisation may then face significant barriers to growth if stakeholders do not play their roles effectively or if there are persistent gaps in the structure.
WHEN DOES ESPACE STRATÉGIES INTERVENE?
Espace Stratégies uses its expertise in strategy and organisational development to intervene at various levels within organisations.
Governance is a foundational pillar of strategy, and issues related to organisational structure are frequently highlighted during strategic reflection or planning exercises. It is essential to have the right stakeholders to implement the directions and actions identified during the exercise and structure the organisation for the long term. During this process, it is crucial to identify stakeholders resistant to proposed projects to maximise the chances of success and ensure the organisation’s proper development.
Espace Stratégies can provide tailored assistance in various forms, including coaching, mobilisation workshops, training, employee meetings or strategic coaching for management. Espace Stratégies can also help the organisation to conduct an organisational diagnosis or draft policies such as a quality charter or a board of directors integration policy, guiding the organisation towards the achievement of its vision.
SERVICES OFFERED
Espace Stratégies offers a range of consulting services to address various growth themes. The services most relevant to governance include:
For Whom?
PORTFOLIO
Autorité régionale des transports métropolitains
To address its needs and challenges, the Autorité régionale des transports métropolitains (ARTM) entrusted Espace Stratégies to support it in organisational strategic reflection. This exercise was intended to mobilise managers, involve employees in the ongoing process and recommend action priorities for the coming years.
Le Centre social d’aide aux immigrants de Montréal
Le Centre social d’aide aux immigrants de Montréal (CSAI), which has provided services and activities to the immigrant population since 1947, approached Espace Stratégies to help with a strategic reflection exercise. This exercise was undertaken to prioritise development projects, clarify board member roles and responsibilities and choose the right partnerships for its development.
