Francis Byrd, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, Jeffrey Morgan, National Investor Relations Institute and Kenneth Wagner, Peabody Energy Corporation, discussed the governance roadshow idea at the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals conference in June.
Now might be the time to begin preparing to engage shareholders with such an effort – especially since the recent stock market slide is likely to make the largest investors even more edgy. Such an effort can alert directors to areas where policy adjustments can head off problem areas, allowing companies to retain the trust and confidence of shareowners.
Morgan suggests traveling to visit key investors during the off-season to keep communications open and to develop relationships that may come in handy later. Byrd says, ‘This will help you prepare the board to deal with the governance issues most important to the shareholders.’ Wagner suggests that directors sit down with the largest investors and answer their questions on compensation and other governance topics.
Read more: Is it time for a governance road show? Corporate Secretary, 8/12/2011.
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