An article in the Wall Street Journal of today could inspire Board Directors in their mentors' role: "New in Boardrooms: Buddy System _ Mentors can help newcomers figure out cultural norms, power brokers -and even the right place to sit"

Informal or formal, some "coaching" can appear useful to better explain the context, feel the environment, teach the products specificities and even help to find the right place to sit... The better the integration, the higher the added value brought, the quicker the return for companies.

"We could see at least 50 Fortune 500 companies with new director mentor programs by 2020," predicts Rusty O'Kelly, head of the board consulting and effectiveness practice at a well known recruiting firm.

A new concept in big companies, a new trend on the other side of the Atlantic: a 2016 survey conducted by the National Association of Corporate Directors found that 33 of 296 U.S. companies with orientation programs for directors choose an experienced board member to guide their latest member.

Inspiring actions certainly take place closer to us in Europe and in France. In other words, let's contribute to prepare our future Board Members.