Publications
- Nouvelles > Course for Directors’ College January 25th, 2012
- Alertes, Articles > Use of ICT by Canadian SMEs : a survey of over 2,000 companies October 21st, 2011
- Articles > Guide on Directors' and Officers' Liability January 1st, 2011
Overview
Providing corporate governance tailored to SMBs. That's what we mean by a different kind of practice.
Our team
In the SMB world, many entrepreneurs see governance as an unnecessary and costly restriction that is best avoided. However, when governance is well thought-out and suited to the business's reality and means, it often becomes an essential tool that contributes to operational success.
Many governance tools are intended for large, publicly-traded companies. As they are based on complex processes and concerns specific to these businesses, these tools often hold very little appeal for entrepreneurs who have difficulty seeing how they could be adapted to their business context.
For SMBs, governance needs to be a set of processes and practices – simple, effective and cost-efficient – that govern the operations of the SMB, making it more profitable and more responsible. Seen in this light, governance represents an asset, even for the single-owner SMB. For example, it enables the management to hold discussions with qualified and objective individuals. It also demonstrates that the company has a certain level of organization and a developed network. We are proud to have developed a series of governance tools adapted to the SMB's reality and needs. This service offering ranges from advice on demand to directors and officers to acting as corporate secretary, training stakeholders, and creating useful tools.
Advice on Demand
- Attendance at board meetings and meetings of shareholders to ensure they run smoothly
- Assistance to the chair, directors and officers to help them better understand their roles
- Identification of the SMB's risks and weaknesses from a governance perspective and suggestions for corrective measures
Corporate Secretary
- Summary review of the corporation’s minute book, including the by-laws, shareholders' agreements and general recommendations
- Review of board of directors' agendas and minutes
- Attendance at board meetings and shareholders' meetings as secretary of these meetings
- Complete management of the corporate secretary functions
Training
- Sharing our knowledge of recent legal developments as they happen
- Brief training sessions on the rules of governance and on topics chosen by directors during board meetings
- General training intended for a broader audience
- Preparation of newsletters on different current topics related to governance
Tools Intended for Use by Directors and Officers
- Providing directors with basic contracts, such as compensation contracts
- Officer certificate regarding compliance with the law
- Providing a template for meeting agendas and minutes
- Diagnostic tool for SMB governance
- Summary tables of responsibilities of directors and officers under the laws of Quebec and Canada
Assistance in Case of Governance Problems
- Planning and implementing an action plan
