Directors Face a Changed World

Directors Face a Changed WorldAs Ira Millstein told directors on a recent NACD/Weil webinar on the Dodd-Frank Act, they must align with the owners of the company, the shareholders. He advised directors “not to make believe” or “live in a dream world” because governance power has already shifted to shareholders and it’s not going to be the way it was ever again.

The context for this change is the “new normal”, a term coined by economists that characterizes an environment of high unemployment, slow growth, consumer distress, overly careful investors and long-term owners who will seek growth where they can find it. This is a challenging environment in which to serve as a director.

Millstein sees the changes wrought by the Dodd-Frank Act as tectonic, making Sarbanes-Oxley look like child’s play.

But directors shouldn’t wait until the final rules of the Act are written.  Rather, they should engage with their shareholders now.  He cited the fulsome letter that the Prudential board wrote in the proxy, introducing their thoughts on compensation. While Millstein believes directors should know what their shareholders think, he doesn’t believe that they have to agree with them.  “Explain why the board has a different view.  That seems to me perfectly rational.”

He noted that there was a huge amount to do in communication with shareholders and boards should get ready to engage. Now.