Skip to content

The Keim Company

Board of Directors Annual Assessment

Introduction

Over the past 5 years, the Shareholders have been diligently developing the BOARD MOUNTAIN of The Keim Company to work in strong collaboration with MANAGEMENT, ADVISORS, FAMILY, and SHAREHOLDERS in pursuit of our One Noble Purpose:

Building the Kingdom together through diligent stewardship & abundant generosity

As discussed at the November 6 Board Meeting, Robbie and Karen have established a Board Development Committee to guide the first annual assessment of the Keim Board of Directors. Serving with them on this Committee are Henry Landes, Interim Board Chair, and Sally Derstine (DVFBC Managing)  who is leading much of the process as an outside resource. 

This questionnaire is the first part of a 360 ͦ process designed to engage the observations, experience, and recommendations of all the Directors and the President aimed at building a more robust BOARD team and process. The second part of the process is a 1-hour Zoom interview with Sally and Frank Rowe, a DVFBC Associate, the week of December 16.

You are invited to complete this questionnaire with full candor and goodwill. Your responses will be collated with the contributions of others; all responses will be anonymous. You will have the opportunity in your individual interview to expand or clarify your responses if you wish.  

Please plan for about an hour to complete this. If you can’t complete this in one sitting, you may scroll down to the bottom and click on “Save & Resume.”  You will then be emailed a link for you to continue the assessment.  When done, click “Submit” at the bottom.

Some questions have a 5-point rating options – Not Sufficient, Needs Improvement, Sufficient, Very Good, Excellent. The comment boxes  will  expand if you need more space.

Please complete the questionnaire at your earliest convenience but no later than Friday, December 6. If you have any questions, please contact me at sally@dvfbc.com or 215-527-6960.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Please Note: If you can’t complete this in one sitting, you may scroll down to the bottom and click on “Save & Resume.” You will then be emailed a link for you to continue the assessment. When done, please remember to click “Submit” at the bottom.

Name

Part I. Overall Performance of the Keim Board of Directors

Part II. Relationship with Shareholders

1. How well have the Shareholders' objectives and expectations (Noble Purpose, Values, Vision, Principles, Policies) been communicated to the board?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Has the board demonstrated the ability to have challenging conversations with the Shareholders when Directors have different views?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. How well is the board staying true to ownership principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Have you had an adequate opportunity to develop a relationship with shareholders?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. Does the Board have a clear understanding of the risk tolerance of the Shareholders?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part III. Attention to Radar

1. How well is the board including Radar components?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does each director have a commitment to Radar – the highest-level opportunities and threats — global, customer, market, economic, political, and trends that may impact our future?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part IV. Strategy and Planning

1. Is the level of strategic planning conducted by Management of sufficient quality and content to provide clear strategic direction for the Company?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. How well does the board ensure the strategic planning process is sufficiently robust and considers a range of strategic alternatives?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. How well does the board assertively and constructively debate proposed strategy?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Are the Directors’ expertise, perspectives and judgement valued and embraced by management?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. How well does the board dedicate adequate time to identifying, analyzing, and discussing strategic issues?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
6. How well does the board evaluate past strategy success or failure, and use the lessons learned?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
7. How well does the board review the Company's performance against the strategic plan?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part V. Measuring and Monitoring Performance

1. How well does the board ensure that performance measures balance financial and non-financial metrics, including forward-looking measures?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. How well does the board enable benchmarking against competitors, peers and best practice companies?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. How would you rate the board's performance goals and targets so that they effectively motivate and drive growth, without being unreachable or disincentivizing?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. How well does the board provide both management and board timely critical metrics, of relevant scope and depth to proactively manage/monitor the business?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

VI. Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

1. How well does the board ensure management has the real market and competitor research and facts, critically assess underlying strategic and market assumptions, and look critically at the internal and external management and support expertise?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. How well does the board ensure any potential acquisition plays to the enterprises’ competencies or bring truly new ones that analyze critical risks and opportunities?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. How well does the board ensure the due diligence process addresses market analysis, operations, technology, finance, human resources, treasury and legal issues?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. How well does the board assure joint ventures/alliances being considered involve the right partners, are structured properly, and are subject to intense due diligence?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. How well does the board thoroughly review major capital expenditures for strategic link, relative priority and alignment with financial return requisites and then evaluate ultimate outcomes as input to future decisions?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
6. How well does the board have the courage to walk away from a bad deal, regardless of sunk cost or external pressures?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part VII. Risk Management

1. How well does the board have in place an effective risk architecture to identify risk, measure its potential impact and do what’s necessary to proactively manage it?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. How well does the board ensure that the risk management process not only has identified current risk, but also identifies new risks as they emerge?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. How well does the board have a plan to address risks faced by the business?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. How well is the board apprised of all significant risks in a timely way and comfortable with what management is doing to manage them?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part VIII. President Support & Oversight

1. How clear is the President's job description defined?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Is the President satisfactorily supported by appropriate counsel from the board?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Is the President's performance monitored and appraised satisfactorily?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does the board have an appropriate level of involvement in Presidential crisis planning and top team succession?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. Does the board have adequate access to key management?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
6. Does the board have a collegial working partnership with the President, yet balances and differentiates between discussion, guidance and “speaking with one voice”?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
7. Does the board assure that the evaluation/compensation decisions are formulated by truly independent directors, who are in no way beholden to management?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
8. Does the Board have a process for identifying a new President, internally or externally, to lead the company should that become necessary?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part IX. Board Meetings

1. Does the board receive the appropriate information to fulfill its governance responsibilities prior to each board meeting?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Are the frequency and style of board meetings appropriate?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Is the duration of board meetings appropriate?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does the board agenda accurately reflect the key strategic issues facing the business?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. Are the meeting logistics (facility, meeting room, service, food, AV service, sound) conducive to productive and effective board work?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
6. Do you have easy access to board documents, reports, information?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part X. Board Culture

1. Does the board have Annual Goals for the board, including board development activities?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does the board debate topics effectively, with all directors expressing their opinion?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Is balanced participation encouraged across all directors?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Is there recognition and use of individual board members' particular skills and expertise?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. Are issues raised in the boardroom adequately captured, addressed, and resolved?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
6. Do directors have sufficient ongoing regular contact with customers, suppliers and people throughout the company, determining for themselves what attitudes and values are espoused by managers and how the values are embraced by co-workers?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
7. Do directors, recognizing that relationships are not developed solely in the board room, devote time to frequent off-line interactions necessary to establish trust among members and with management?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
8. Does the board hold regular executive sessions to assure complete candor between directors?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part XI. Board Composition and Structure

1. Is the size of the board appropriate?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does the board have an appropriate mix of shareholders and independent directors?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does the committee structure support the board decision making?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Is there a clear process for identifying needs on the board and finding directors to fill those needs?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part XII. Evaluation of Board Chair

How is the Board Chair doing?
1. Leads the board with an effective leadership style aimed at strong performance and collaboration
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Encourages an environment of collaboration and trust where directors can challenge management
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Manages dissent and differing opinions well
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Deals with contentious or disruptive directors responsibly
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
5. Prepares productive agendas for board meetings and makes good use of them
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
6. Delegates responsibilities effectively, such as committee work
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
7. Guides and moderates the discussions to maximize the contributions of all Directors and to achieve appropriate board action? e.g. “speaks with one voice”?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part XIII. Director Self-Assessment

How am I doing?

Part XIV. Evaluation of Other Directors

Lamar Eby, Independent Director (fiduciary)

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Henry Landes (fiduciary)

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

David Griffith, Independent Director (advisory)

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Dennis Stine, Independent Director (advisory)

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Paul Kaniefski, Independent Director (advisory)

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Robbie Keim, Family Director (fiduciary) & Owner

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Karen Keim, Family Director (fiduciary) & Owner

1. How does this Director align with One Noble Purpose, shareholder principles and desired outcomes?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
2. Does this Director prepare well for board meetings?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
3. Does this Director ask good questions that enhance board performance?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent
4. Does this Director listen carefully and deeply to others before responding?
Not SufficientNeeds ImprovementSufficientVery GoodExcellent
Not Sufficient
Needs Improvement
Sufficient
Very Good
Excellent

Part XV. Evaluation of Advisors

How are our Key Advisors performing?

Part XVI. Evaluation of the Robbie & Karen Keim Family

A united, contributing, and connected FAMILY is the foundation of enduring ENTERPRISES.

On behalf of the Keim Board Development Committee, thank you for your time and thoughtful comments.