Board Talk

18 crucial conversations that count  inside and outside the boardroom

By Kathryn Bishop & Gillian Camm

An accessible guide to the business of being a board director, through the lens of 18 crucial conversations.

The proposition in this book is the conversation drives good governance in boardrooms in every sector, so if you serve on the board of an organisation-or are applying for a board role-this book is for you.

Whether you are a new director of a PLC, a long-standing Trustee of a charity, or a governor of an educational institution, this book will help you and your colleagues become the board your organization needs.

KATHRYN BISHOP and GILLIAN CAMM each have many decades operating at board level in listed and private companies, charities, government boards, professional services firms and educational establishments. They have blended this with their experience of selecting, developing, and teaching non-executives, and underpinned it with a carefully curated selection of the most relevant and usable board research together with their own research insights

How do you understand what is really going on in an organization, so you can exercise the oversight that is required from you?
How do you overcome the information asymmetry problem, where the executive directors know more about the operation than you do?
How will you collaborate as a board to set the right strategic direction in a context that changes constantly?
How will you see the organization through the eyes of your advisors, your employees and your key stakeholders?
How can you manage the risks you know about as well as the ones you don't?

This book will show you how…

#1 bestseller in business skills on Amazon

Bridging theory and practice

“The book demystifies the often complex and opaque world of boards and governance. It bridges the gap between theory and practical application, making it an accessible and essential resource for both new and seasoned board directors. It's a compelling narrative, providing the kind of insight that can only come from individuals who have not only observed but actively participated in boardroom dynamics.”

NetGalley Review

A useful book for a wide range of readers

“The book has been written with clarity and simplicity. It doesn't get bogged down in jargon or technicalities, making it a genuinely accessible resource for a wide range of readers, from directors of PLCs to trustees of charities and governors of educational institutions.”

NetGalley Review

Blending practical wisdom and academic rigour

“Kathryn Bishop and Gillian Camm's book is not just based on their extensive experience but also on a carefully curated selection of relevant board research and their own research insights. This blend of practical wisdom and academic rigour gives the book a well-rounded and credible foundation.”

NetGalley Review

"This is the book which I wish I had read at the start of my NED career – however, even after some years in the role, it has given me a huge amount of valuable advice and guidance, which I will definitely make use of in my current positions. Board Talk is a highly readable book, which provides an engaging and relevant approach to the way Board members can be most effective in their role and bring real value to their Boards. In many Board meetings, there is often a limited time for each NED to make a contribution; the advice in this book will help to ensure that all interactions, both in and out of formal meetings, can be as meaningful and relevant as possible. I thoroughly recommend it, whether you are a new or experienced Board member."

Mary Champion, Portfolio Non-Executive Director and Board member

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