How to prepare for the residential Company Directors Course™

The residential Company Directors Course takes your investment in your directorship journey one step further: it allows you to escape everyday distractions and immerse yourself in your learning. Here are some tips on how best to prepare and to pack for your course.

1. Read your Company Directors Course materials beforehand

The Company Directors Course has been developed by directors for directors. The course materials are revised annually to ensure the content is relevant and up to date, and reading these materials is vital to getting the most out of the course.

Distributed to participants prior to the five days, the materials are an essential part of your learning. Make sure you complete all your pre-reading, with particular focus given to the case studies.

2. Don’t forget your notebook

Upon completion of the Company Directors Course you will be encouraged to complete the assessment task and attain your GAICD post-nominals. Personal notes taken during your pre-reading and over the five days of the course will be invaluable in helping you prepare.

3.  Reflect on your experiences as a practising or emerging director

The facilitators who lead the course are seasoned directors who will share their own stories – and encourage participants to do the same – to enrich the learning experience and bring the course theory to life. Consider the stories that you might want to share to contribute to group discussions.

4. Explore the supplementary reading

The residential course is the perfect opportunity to give governance education your full attention, away from home and work life. Many participants use this time to deepen their understanding of the course material by reading some of the recommended books, and the news, interviews and insights published regularly by the AICD.

Why not bring along the latest copy of Company Director magazine, or catch up on the news in The Boardroom Report, Membership Update or The Economic Weekly e-newsletters? The AICD has a range of resources available to you to support your studies including white papers and online director tools.

5. Log in to your AICD member profile

Make sure you log in to your online profile through the AICD website before you begin your course. Here you will find your profile information and details of the Director Professional Development (DPD) you have undertaken. On completion of the Company Directors Course you will earn 50 DPD units and you can add up to 10 DPD units per year for your professional reading.

6. Pack your business cards and update your LinkedIn profile

The Company Directors Course attracts experienced, new and aspiring directors, as well as senior executives, who bring with them a breadth of experience and knowledge. Conversations with your peers will make the course material more enriching. The course is an ideal chance to expand your network, to mix with a diverse group of people and make long-lasting connections away from the pressures of the office.

Pass on your business cards or your LinkedIn details so you can keep in touch, reach out for support when preparing for your assessment and connect in the future.

7. Bring a relaxed mindset

The residential courses are held in peaceful environments to better help you wind down and focus. By stepping away from your busy routine, you’ll have the opportunity to better absorb and engage with the course information.

We encourage you to pack some items to help you enjoy the downtime before and after course sessions. Whether it’s your yoga mat, a beach towel, a novel or your walking shoes, bring whatever will help you slow down and relax.