Prepare your board for shareholder activism: A guide to running crisis-ready tabletop exercises

Shareholder activism is surging, with a record 160 campaigns disrupting global companies in 2024 alone — many catching unprepared boards off guard.

Waiting for an activist to strike is no longer an option — it’s a risk your company can’t afford. Shareholder activism can derail strategies, damage reputations, and shake investor confidence, often erupting without warning and demanding immediate action.

A proven way to get ahead? Tabletop exercises. These crisis simulations help boards prepare for such high-pressure scenarios by testing strategies, identifying weaknesses, and sharpening communication — before it’s too late.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• 5 critical steps to create and execute an activist-response exercise, from crafting realistic scenarios to selecting key participants and managing logistics.
• A detailed checklist to streamline your preparation and ensure nothing is overlooked.
• A sample exercise timeline, tailorable to your chosen activist scenario, to help you simulate your response in a time pressured, realistic way.

Download the guide now and ensure your board has the tools and confidence to face activist scrutiny head-on.