Find or review corporate governance information resources to help you effectively direct, administer and control your organization in a positive, profitable manner.

Use your corporate governance resources to determine how your processes, customs, policies, laws and institutions work to keep your company in line and on target. Ensure the accountability of your leaders through mechanisms that try to reduce or eliminate the problems brought on by corporate leaders running amuck (e.g. Enron Corporation and Worldcom).

To make the most of available corporate governance information:

1. Begin with corporate governance information basics. Learn the definitions, concepts and more. Follow that up with reviewing how other companies handle the process.

2. Use the news for the latest corporate governance research studies and information.

3. Consider joining and organization or subscribing to a trade publication.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Begin with basic corporate governance information

First, go with definition and concept research. Slowly move into understanding how other companies implement corporate governance.

I recommend: Start with a corporate governance definition from Encycogov. Find out more corporate governance information data resource materials from Ernst & Young. Use corporate governance portal from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. See how other large corporations like Aetna address corporate governance.

Follow up with corporate governance research and news

Use the latest news feeds to help fill you in on the latest corporate governance research and information. Most news sites update their pages regularly, some even daily or more often.

I recommend: Find out the latest headlines from Corporate Governance News. Forbes is an excellent corporate governance analysis and information source. Use Topix as an up-to-date corporate governance news portal. Yahoo! News also covers corporate governance info.

Find even more corporate governance resources through affiliations and publications

Join an industry group or read the latest industry magazine or journal to stay informed as to the latest corporate governance news and information. Group affiliations can help you network, continue your education, attend workshops or seminars, find resource materials or find career help info.

I recommend: Consider membership with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). NACD is a nonprofits membership organization for corporate board members that provides educational, informational, and advisory services including corporate governance information to its members. Check out more information on the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. Read the latest issue of Corporate Board Member magazine. Take a look at the management resources from BusinessWeek.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of the many corporate governance news tools available. Watch podcasts and webinars, read the latest headlines, stay informed up to the minute, and work to keep your pulse on the industry.
• •  Make sure that you include reviewing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as part of your corporate governance research. Find out how the government is using it to help restore public confidence in corporate governance.