Boston, MA, April 2, 2019 — FCLTGlobal, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for a longer-term focus in business and investment decision-making, is releasing a new whitepaper; Long-term Habits of a Highly Successful Corporate Board,which identifies proven steps corporate directors can take if they aim to be long-term leaders of corporate success. This includes:

1. A heavier focus on strategic counsel, relative to other issues
2. Purchasing and holding company stock through and beyond their tenure.
3. Increased direct communication with the company’s long-term shareholder base.
4. Ensuring the board is comprised of a diverse group of directors, with respect to both gender and age.

Globally, the typical board member serves longer than the CEO—7.7 years compared to 6.3—giving directors a wider perspective on a company’s current situation and trajectory into the years ahead. However, boards are not immune to short-term thinking – 47% of corporate executives report that their boards are actually an unexpected source of short-term pressure, and 60% of directors agreed they have a responsibility to tackle short-termism at their organizations.

“Focusing on long-term goals in the face of so many pressing demands is a challenge, but developing the right habits can ensure lasting success for directors and the companies they manage,” said Sarah Williamson, FCLTGlobal’s CEO. “Likewise, investors looking for companies with a real long-term vision can use these attributes of a board to gauge whether or not it is positioned to avoid short-term myopia.”

The report is coupled with a Time Visualization Meter, a unique digital dashboard designed by FCLTGlobal for corporate directors to assess their time allocation during board meetings. This input can be compared to other industry peers, as well as an average of long-term organizations as determined by FCLTGlobal’s research and data collection on the subject.