The Center for Corporate Governance at Deloitte has produced this useful guide for key issues that Boards may want to focus on in 2011 and beyond. Some of them are obvious in a sense, but even if so most are good food for thought, especially things like:
identifying the next wave of change (for sustainability)
strategy leadersship, and linking performance to strategy
past results don't equal future performance
non-stop learning and the importance of talent development
two-way converations = constructive engagement with shareholders
http://bdti.mastertree.jp/f/w90cj8km
The Board Director Training Institute (BDTI) is a "public interest" nonprofit in Japan dedicated to training about directorship, corporate governance, and related management techniques. It is certified by the Japanese government to conduct these activities as a regulated nonprofit. Read a summary about BDTI here, and see a menu of its services for both corporations and investors here.