Governance
WHAT IS GOVERNANCE?
Governance is simply the implementation of a set of mechanisms to ensure better coordination among an organization’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 mobilized 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 organizational development
- A neutral and balanced board of directors
WHAT ARE THE GOVERNANCE-RELATED CHALLENGES?
Organizations may face various governance-related issues, such as:
- An insufficiently engaged stakeholder who fails to fulfil their role according to the organization’s established rules
- A stakeholder who oversteps their responsibilities, becoming overly involved in operations to the detriment of the organization’s functioning
- A board of directors that is insufficiently engaged or mobilised around the organization’s mission
- Unclear stakeholder roles due to gaps in policies or regulations
- Stagnation hindering the organization’s progress
- Lack of succession planning
- And more
Organizational 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 organization’s situation may not be aligned, or there may be a lack of trust between management and the board. The organization 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 organizational development to intervene at various levels within organisations.
Governance is a foundational pillar of strategy, and issues related to organizational structure are frequently highlighted during strategic review or planning exercises. It is essential to have the right stakeholders to implement the directions and actions identified during the exercise and structure the organization for the long term. During this process, it is crucial to identify stakeholders resistant to proposed projects to maximize the chances of success and ensure the organization’s proper development.
Espace Stratégies can provide tailored assistance in various forms, including coaching, mobilization workshops, training, employee meetings or strategic coaching for management. Espace Stratégies can also help the organization to conduct an organizational 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 organizational strategic review. This exercise was intended to mobilize 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 review exercise. This exercise was undertaken to prioritize development projects, clarify board member roles and responsibilities and choose the right partnerships for its development.
