GOODIEBAG GUBERNA NATIONAL MEMBER FORUM & DIRECTORS ASSEMBLY 2026

The challenge we have as a business is how to cultivate entrepreneurship and innovation in a complex world of insecurity and regulation. It is crucial to face that challenge, find that balance as a board and not shy away from it. Because entrepreneurship and innovation are essential for the wellbeing of businesses.

Diversification across products, services and geographies have always buffered uncertainty, so they apply certainly in the volatile world of today. No board can forecast the geopolitical picture reliably, so the competent move is to stress-test decisions against several plausible futures and choose options that hold up across most of them, favoring optionality and diversification protecting efficiency to the most. To anchor on purpose and long-term viability, rather than short-term margin is a guiding principle. In these volatile times though it is critical to map stakeholders in how they can affect the business and how much a decision affects them; geopolitical shocks tend to elevate clients & suppliers, government regulators and employees, because they have become sources of existential, not just commercial risk. It is key to preserving absolutely customer and supplier relationships that are hard to rebuild. Protecting the workforce and social licenses to operate are a direct priority in companies with governmental shareholders, but become existential for all

In Defence, preparedness is not only about anticipating the next crisis, but about having the people and the organisation in place to respond when it comes. Today, as Belgian Defence is going through a period of significant growth and transformation, this human dimension is more important than ever. Recruiting more people is only part of the challenge: we also need to develop their skills, empower them and create an organisation in which they can grow and contribute effectively. In a world of constant disruption, resilience ultimately starts with people.

If your board isn’t preparing for the next crisis today, you’re already behind. Looking at the past years of crises—from financial shocks to the global pandemic to geopolitical turbulence—what we have learned is that the resilience of successful companies isn’t accidental, it’s intentional. Boards that are prepared for the unthinkable, help their organizations build the necessary muscle before the storm hits. However, there is no one-size-fits-all playbook for risk oversight. Some risks develop gradually and can be monitored over time; others hit without warning. For those, agility beats procedure. The strategic dialogue has changed as well. The annual strategy review is giving way to a permanent conversation with management, driven by one question: what if? And once the storm has passed, a good board asks itself what can be learned to bounce back with increased strength. So, for companies to prosper in the face of adversity, directors need to ensure not only that a proper risk – and crisis – management infrastructure is in place, but also that the right culture of awareness and continuous learning is nurtured across the organization.

The predictability of the business environment has gone. Disruptive risks have become part and parcel of our everyday business reality. Take, for example, the growing impact of cybercrime, geopolitical instability and disinformation. In this light, there's just one strategy that meets the moment: BE PREPARED. Identifying risks is one thing, but managing the issues – and, even better, avoiding them – is one of any board's strategic key activities. Being proactive is no longer a choice, but a necessity. With its BE PREPARED campaign, FEB is helping decision-makers to anticipate disruptive risks, stay competitive and, if disaster does strike, limit the damage and emerge stronger from it.

Your body language shapes how people perceive your leadership, credibility and influence. In high-stakes environments such as boardrooms, interviews and executive interactions, non-verbal communication strongly influences how people perceive your credibility, confidence and leadership presence. During this interactive and science-based session, Eva Vissers will show how body language impacts trust, influence and positioning, and how professionals can strengthen their executive presence in an authentic and effective way.