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The implications for any organization faced with potential risks such as fire, theft, flood and terrorist attacks are huge. By managing these and other risks, an organization or business can reassure its shareholders, customers, members and employees that it is being effectively managed and confirm its compliance with corporate governance requirements.

The risk assessment and emergency management processes are tools that you can use to identify and prepare for the myriad of disruptions you might face. (Item #1) Don't underestimate the consequences of "tiny" mistakes. (Item #2) How much effort should you invest in managing risk? (Item #3)

The business impact of absenteeism of workers who are caregivers to family members is significant - but so are the risks of denying leave. (Item #4) Is your nonprofit risk-aware? You can find out here. (Item #5) Sarbanes-Oxley has progressed from burden to good business strategy. (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week


For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

- Nursery Rhyme -

Articles

1. How Organizations Prepare to Face Today's Risks & Hazards
You have fire safety plans, evacuation plans, and other types of emergency procedures in place, and, in recent years, plans to deal with threats and acts of terrorism. Today, that's not enough. Most organizations today need a comprehensive, integrated plan in place to protect people, property and technology in the face of a myriad of risks. Overriding all, however, is the need to preserve life and personal safety… these are always the top priorities.
https://www.attainium.net/articles.php?articleId=52

2. Five Tiny Mistakes that Lead to Huge Catastrophes
Some of the costliest disasters have resulted from some random employee making a single tiny mistake - pushing the wrong button, failing to communicate, etc. From a risk management perspective, this list might just seem like an overview of some worst case scenarios, but is worth reading.
http://www.rmmagazine.com/MGTemplate.cfm?Section=MagArchive&NavMenuID=304&Template=/Magazine/BlogEntry.cfm&id=189

3. How much risk management is enough?
There is a limit to how much effort you should invest in managing risk. Your objective should be to obtain as much protection as you can relative to the effort you invest. And, since you can't manage every risk, prioritization is important.
http://www.newproductdynamics.com/Risk/HowMuchRM.pdf

4. Caregivers in the Crosshairs
Lawsuits involving workers' needs to care for loved ones have risen 400% since 1998. The burgeoning legal area is known as "family responsibility discrimination" (FRD) and is now primarily based on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) 2007 FRD guidelines that specify employers' obligations to workers who provide some level of care for young children, disabled relatives or elderly family members.
http://www.rmmagazine.com/MGTemplate.cfm?Section=MagArchive&NavMenuID=304&template=/Magazine/DisplayMagazines.cfm&Archive=1&IssueID=326&AID=3726&Volume=55&ShowArticle=1

5. Hallmarks of a risk-aware nonprofit
We can't know what lies ahead, but we all want to be prepared. Some nonprofits are ready to respond to future events effectively and gracefully, while others stumble and fall. As mission-devoted leaders in our respective nonprofits, we have asked ourselves, "What is it about certain nonprofits that demonstrates the best practices in risk management?" These hallmarks may answer that question.
http://nonprofitrisk.org/tools/hallmarks/intro.shtml

6. From Lemons to Lemonade
What does Sarbanes-Oxley have to do with private companies, nonprofits and other non-SEC registrants that are not required to implement SOX? It is really a question of good business strategy. Companies and organizations that have a strong system of internal controls will prove to be successful in their respective marketplaces and industries. Strong internal controls push a company beyond its current limits by helping it implement best practices, retain valuable resources and serve its customers better than its competitors.
http://www.rmmagazine.com/MGTemplate.cfm?Section=MagArchive&NavMenuID=304&template=/Magazine/DisplayMagazines.cfm&Archive=1&IssueID=324&AID=3708&Volume=55&ShowArticle=1