Corporate culture is all the rage now, meaning it is an often used topic to signal commitment, sensitivity to issues of employee concern, and an awareness of governance trends. In practice, as we all know, culture is not just about words — it is about action. As the often repeated phrase goes — talk is cheap. In this Corporate Culture Roundup Episode, Michael Volkov examines some culture-related...
Corporate culture is all the rage now, meaning it is an often used topic to signal commitment, sensitivity to issues of employee concern, and an awareness of governance trends. In practice, as we all know, culture is not just about words — it is about action. As the often repeated phrase goes — talk is cheap. On the issue of culture, talk is not only...
While I have devoted the first two postings to outlining all the downside risks of third-party management and threats to overall organization resiliency and operations, it is important to consider the positive upside of managing your third party population. After all, a large number of third parties represent your organization, such as agents, distributors, and resellers, in the marketplace and frequently interact with company customers. ...
A targeted employee survey program requires careful planning and communications prior to launching the survey program. Employee engagement in response to a specific survey requires transparent and robust explanations and assurances. In the absence of appropriate communications and assurances, employee response rates may decline. Employees have to understand why the survey is being conducted, whether anonymity will be protected, and how the results will be...
The culture bandwagon is picking up steam. Everyone is citing its organization’s “culture” as the foundation for its activities in the hope of meeting a rapidly evolving standard for organizations. In its latest corporate compliance guidance, the Justice Department, along with numerous regulatory agencies continue to cite the importance of a company’s “culture of compliance.” But when it comes to defining the terms, how to...
The culture bandwagon is picking up steam. Everyone is citing its organization’s “culture” as the foundation for its activities in the hope of meeting a rapidly evolving standard for organizations. In its latest corporate compliance guidance, the Justice Department, along with numerous regulatory agencies, continue to cite the importance of a company’s “culture of compliance.” But when it comes to defining the terms, how to...
A corporate scandal does not occur overnight. (Thank you Bob Dylan). A CEO does not begin the day telling him or herself that today is the day to begin the Ponzi scheme or complex fraud. It is hard to imagine but corporate scandals grow from itsy-bitsy steps to bigger risks, and eventually to the full corporate embrace. (Thank you Three Stooges, “Slowly I Turned”). Along...
Companies face a daunting challenge to reassure and regain trust and integrity with employees. CEOs should view the current situation as an opportunity to improve a company’s culture by building on the company’s trust and integrity values. Aside from basic economic questions, companies have to ensure that employee health and safety are assured. In this pandemic era and with the spread of disinformation by politicians,...
Companies are under enormous stress given the pandemic and the social unrest. Employees are looking to companies to provide some sense of stability and ultimately leadership. Corporate leaders are being tested and it is clear that in this defining moment, some will rise and some will fail. It is pretty obvious whether a CEO can meet this challenge. Perfunctory and happy-talk emails or positive messaging...
Company managers are the lynchpin of a corporate compliance program. Without belaboring the Tinkers to Evers to Chance baseball analogy, a corporate culture of compliance requires an important information and accountability flow (or cascade) from leadership to senior managers to on-the-ground managers. It is at this level that the compliance message requires effective communications and conduct by managers directly to employees. This is where the...
