If you've attended such sessions before, you'll know that there are usually only two speakers throughout the whole AGM - the Chairman and CEO. The rest of the directors only speak when directed by these two top persons.
During the question and answer session, a shareholder made an interesting comment.
He said he attended an AGM of another company a day ago. When the session ended, many shareholders were eagerly waiting below the stage to speak with the directors, perhaps to ask them more questions.. Instead of mingling with the shareholders, the directors were talking among themselves. And they even have a different exit to go off.
Were the directors afraid of being asked questions which they may not be able to answer? Is it part of the protocol in AGM? Did the directors think that it's a waste of time talking to these shareholders?
Here's a perfect opportunity for the directors to find out how its shareholders are perceiving the company. What's preventing the directors from interacting with these shareholders that usually happens only once a year? How are they going to address shareholders' concerns, if any? How are they going to build trust?