Building a Risk Intelligent Company Culture

A company culture is a shared system of values and3. Risk Ownership - employees knowing what their risk
practices that become blended with other norms andresponsibilities are, i.e., they assume (some)
beliefs that send influential strategic messages toresponsibility (ownership) for identifying, measuring,
employees and stakeholders about a company'smonitoring, and reporting risk...
attitudes and behaviors, by defining what's important. ItIn light of the economic fact that U.S. businesses lose
(a company culture) will emerge as managementan estimated 7% of their annual revenue to various
teams, boards, and employees come to recognize theforms of occupational fraud, a risk intelligent workforce
beneficial (economic, competitive advantage)(and, company culture) can be a very valuable
outcomes that can accrue as they engage and solve(intangible) asset for a company, because one does
problems through a 'company culture' platform.not have to look far to see the adverse strategic
(Adapted by Michael D. Moberly from the work of Dr.consequences - affects on companies when they rely
Edgar Shein)primarily on 'unwritten rules' for how things get done
A well oriented and nurtured company culture is anand how, or if, risk is managed.
effective tool for identifying and distinguishing theIn a risk intelligent company (culture), management
various types of intangible assets that exist in ateams and boards assume an obligation to understand
company and the riskswhat those 'unwritten company rules' are and how
A company's (strategic) growth plans rely not just onthey're being interpreted-executed by employees. A
the ability to scale up numbers, but on maintaining thingsgood starting point is (a.) to critically assess a
like quality, responsiveness, and product-service quality.company's 'unwritten rules' by getting answers to the
If growth occurs by acquisition or if non-corefollowing questions, and (b.) recognizing the questions'
opportunities are to be spun off, then all intangiblerelevance insofar as how they may serve to influence
asset areas require special attention-consideration byand perpetuate a company environment of
management teams, boards, and employees.unmanaged risk taking:
A first, and very important step toward developing a1. What (employee) behaviors are actually being
'risk intelligent company culture' is recognizing that risk isrewarded?
not solely an external phenomena, i.e., all risk emanates2. Are company (employee) incentives (properly,
from outside the company.effectively) aligned with the company's risk
A second, and equally important step in developing amanagement priorities?
risk intelligent company culture comes from recognizing3. Do all employees, including the management team
that company value can be favorably affected byand board, understand the companies risk
integrating - merging risk management and humanmanagement priorities, objectives, and the strategic
resource management. The rationale for doing this liesreasons-rationales behind them?
in the fact that a significant percentage of (company)Ultimately, becoming more intelligent (and objective)
risk actually evolves from - is inherently embedded inabout company risk is an important and necessary
employee behavior and actions, which includes theprelude to creating a risk intelligent company culture
management team and board as well.wherein management teams and boards assume a
According to Deloitte's, The People Side Of Riskresponsibility for elevating and cultivating a
Intelligence: Aligning Talent And Risk Management, riskcompany-wide awareness of risk that fosters risk
touches virtually every aspect of employee (HR)intelligent behaviors at all levels. It begins by:
management, and employees touch virtually every1. Adopting a common definition of risk in accordance
aspect of risk management. Is there no better reasonwith national standards and best practices.
to develop a risk intelligent company culture?2. Clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and authority
Effective risk management (and a risk intelligent(for managing risk) with appropriate levels of
company) Deloitte suggests, executes at the point attransparency.
which there's a convergence of the following:Lastly, it's important to recognize, insofar as developing
1. Risk Governance - how a company treats risk anda 'risk intelligent company culture' that (a.) a change in
assumes responsibility for risk oversight and strategic(company) culture generally follows a (employee)
decision making...behavior change, and (b.) culture and behavior changes
2. Risk Infrastructure Management - how a companyare less a product of formal risk policies, controls, and
assumes responsibility for and understands how topronouncements, than they are the result of effective
design, implement, oversee, and sustain a riskincentives and rewards.
management program...