Day: October 13, 2023

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Kerrville Weekly News Roundup

Kerrville Weekly News Roundup: October 14, 2023

Welcome to the Kerrville Weekly News Roundup. Each week, veteran podcaster Tom Fox and his colleagues Andrew Gay and Gilbert Paiz get together to go over a couple of their favorite stories from the past week from Kerrville and the greater Hill Country. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee and listen in to get a wrap up of the Kerrville Weekly News. We each consider two of our favorite stories and talk about the upcoming weekend’s events which will enjoy or participate in this weekend.

In this episode, Tom and Andrew discuss the following stories which caught their attention over the past week.

·      Tom discusses the Lennar Housing project and the removal of Harvey Belew from the Commissioners Court website. He shouts out to the ALCS featuring the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers starting Sunday night in Houston.

·      Andrew discusses the eclipse coming to Kerrville. Andrew shouts out to our visitors and reminds people to be safe and wear the glasses.

Resources

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Gilbert Paiz on LinkedIn

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

The Lead

Texas Tribune

Categories
Popcorn and Compliance

Popcorn and Compliance: Monster Movie Month – The Black Cat

Tom Fox is back with his Classic Monster Movie Month, where he reviews a Classic Monster Movie from Universal Pictures from its Classic Monster Movie era of 1931 to 1947. This year, he wants to take a look at some of the lesser-known movies and mine them for both leadership and ethical lessons. He continued his journey of Edgar Allen Poe-themed movies with the 1934 Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff class The Black Cat.

Classic monster movies have long captivated audiences with their thrilling plots, iconic characters, and spine-chilling moments. However, beyond the scares and special effects, these films often contain deeper themes that explore ethical implications and leadership. In this episode of “Popcorn and Compliance,” Tom Fox focuses on the Universal Pictures classic monster movie “The Black Cat” and the valuable insights it provides into ethical decision-making.

“The Black Cat,” delves into a variety of ethical dilemmas and explores themes such as revenge, respect for others’ beliefs, avoiding harm, empathy, accountability, and the danger of blind obedience. While the film is known for its eerie and gruesome content, it offers a unique perspective on the complexities of ethical decision-making and the consequences of our actions.

One of the key takeaways from “The Black Cat” is the reminder that ethical dilemmas can arise even in the most extreme circumstances. The characters in the film find themselves in horrifying and morally ambiguous situations, highlighting the difficult decisions that leaders may face in real life. Leaders must carefully consider moral principles and navigate complex situations with integrity.

The film also serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive consequences of revenge. The pursuit of revenge by the characters in “The Black Cat” leads to a series of tragic events, emphasizing the importance of letting go of vengeful feelings and seeking peaceful resolutions. This theme reminds us of the potential harm that can come from harboring negative emotions and the need to consider the long-term consequences of our actions.

Respecting the beliefs and cultures of others is another ethical lesson that can be drawn from “The Black Cat.” The film features elements of superstition and the occult, highlighting the importance of open-mindedness and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This lesson is particularly relevant in today’s globalized world, where leaders must navigate multinational companies and work with teams from different cultures.

Avoiding harm to others is a fundamental ethical principle that is depicted in the film. “The Black Cat” showcases actions that cause harm to innocent people, reminding us of the importance of considering the potential consequences of our actions on individuals and society as a whole. Leaders must prioritize the well-being of others and make decisions that minimize harm.

While empathy may not be a central theme in “The Black Cat,” it is an ethical quality that can be emphasized. Leaders should cultivate empathy for their team members, understanding their needs, concerns, and emotions. This can lead to a more compassionate and ethical leadership approach, fostering a positive work environment and promoting the well-being of employees.

Accountability for one’s actions is another key lesson that can be derived from the film. In “The Black Cat,” the characters face the consequences of their actions, highlighting the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and being accountable for the outcomes, even if they are unintended or unfavorable. Ethical behavior requires individuals to own up to their mistakes and learn from them.

Finally, “The Black Cat” warns against the danger of blind obedience to authority figures. The film portrays instances of blind obedience, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and the courage to question authority when necessary, especially when it involves unethical or harmful actions. Ethical decision-making requires individuals to think independently and consider the broader implications of their actions.

While “The Black Cat” may not have been primarily intended to convey ethical lessons, it offers valuable insights into ethical decision-making and leadership. Tom Fox, the host of “Popcorn and Compliance,” encourages viewers to watch the movie and draw their lessons from this classic Universal monster movie.

In conclusion, classic monster movies like “The Black Cat” provide a unique lens through which to explore ethical implications and leadership. By examining the ethical dilemmas, consequences of revenge, respect for others’ beliefs, avoiding harm, empathy, accountability, and the danger of blind obedience depicted in these films, viewers can gain valuable insights into ethical decision-making and leadership. As compliance professionals, it is essential to consider the impact of our actions and make ethical choices that prioritize the well-being of others. So, grab some popcorn, watch “The Black Cat,” and discover the ethical lessons hidden within this classic monster movie.

Categories
2 Gurus Talk Compliance

2 Gurus Talk Compliance – Episode 15 – The I Don’t Like it Edition

What happens when two top compliance commentators get together? They talk compliance, of course. Join Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart in 2 Gurus Talk Compliance as they discuss the latest compliance issues in this week’s episode! In this episode, Tom and Kristy take on a wide variety of topics, including a visit to Florida Women.

The landscape of corporate compliance is ever-evolving, with recent developments posing new challenges and opportunities for businesses. Compliance is a dynamic process that requires constant monitoring and retrospective reviews to identify potential risks and changes. He also emphasizes the importance of involving compliance officers early in the due diligence process of mergers and acquisitions and acknowledges the complexities of managing conflicts of interest in networking and hiring. Tom and Kristy advocate for a proactive approach to compliance, highlighting the importance of regulatory resources such as the New York State Department of Financial Services’ cybersecurity rules. She also stresses the need for clarity and certainty in compliance practices, particularly in areas like mergers and acquisitions and conflicts of interest. Join Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart as they delve deeper into these issues in the latest episode of the 2 Gurus Talk Compliance podcast.

 Highlights Include:

  1. Albemarle FCPA enforcement action. (FCPA Blog)
  2. DAG Monaco on more credit for self-disclosure, this time in M&A. (Radical Compliance)
  3. NYDFS Comments on proposed cyber disclosure amendments. (Compliance and Enforcement Blog)
  4. Michael Lewis and SBF. (The Dig)
  5. Identifying compliance blind spots. (CCI)
  6. Lawmakers Press NBA, Players Union on Forced Labor (WSJ)
  7. Can you tell the difference between acceptable networking and wrongful hiring practices? (FCPA Blog)
  8. Crypto Sector Seeks Lawyers, Compliance Officers After Reputational Hits (WSJ)
  9. Stop Obsessing About Work All the Time (WSJ)
  10. Two women stole bags of food from Florida Taco Bell during armed robbery, deputies say (Fox 25 Orlando)

Resources 

Kristy Grant-Hart on LinkedIn

Spark Consulting

Tom

Threads

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance – Promoting Year-Round Compliance and Ethics Engagement

Where does creativity fit into compliance? In more places than you think. Problem-solving, accountability, communication, and connection – they all take creativity. Join Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman on Creativity and Compliance, part of the award-winning Compliance Podcast Network.

Ronnie’s company, Learnings, and Entertainment, utilizes the entertainment devices that people use to consume information in their everyday, non-work lives and apply it to important topics around compliance and ethics. It is not only about being funny. It is about changing the tone of your compliance communications and messaging to make your compliance program, policies, and resources more accessible. Today, Ronnie and Tom discuss the philosophy behind Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week and use it as a jumping-off point to discuss compliance year-round.

Promoting corporate ethics is not a one-time event but a year-round commitment that can be made engaging and interesting through creative activities. Tom believes that while Compliance and Ethics Week is a great initiative, the philosophy behind it should be applied throughout the year. He suggests using the momentum built during this week to engage employees in ethical discussions and training through creative methods like interviews, art exhibits, and game shows. Similarly, Ronnie believes that the philosophy behind Compliance Week should be a year-round commitment. He suggests implementing creative initiatives like talk shows and workshops and repurposing fun games to address ethical subjects. Join Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman as they delve deeper into this topic in this episode of the Creativity and Compliance podcast.

Key Highlights:

  • Promoting Year-Round Compliance and Ethics Engagement
  • Creating Engaging Compliance Apps for Millennials
  • Engaging and Memorable Compliance Activities
  • Exploring Ethics and Integrity Through Art

Resources:

Ronnie

Tom

Threads

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Report from IMPACT 2023

Report from IMPACT 2023: Pat Harned on Collaborative Partnership for Ethics and Compliance

ECI’s IMPACT 2023 was one of the leading compliance events in 2023. At this conference, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, was able to visit with several of the speakers, exhibitors, participants, and one group of ethically-minded Girl Scout Troop. In this limited podcast series, Report from IMPACT 2023, Tom explores many of the most cutting-edge topics in ethics and compliance through short podcast episodes. Check out the full series of interviews. You will be enlightened and informed and come away with a fuller and more thorough understanding of the most cutting-edge topics in ethics and compliance. In this episode, Tom visits Pat Harned, CEO at ECI.

Pat Harned, the CEO of the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI), has spent many years observing the evolution of the ethics and compliance profession and has played a pivotal role in creating initiatives to keep professionals engaged in the field. Pat’s perspective on consumer behavior, corporate ethics, and compliance evolution is that these fields are converging, with employees and consumers increasingly expecting companies to be purpose-driven and have a positive global impact. She emphasizes the need for the ethics and compliance profession to take a thought leadership role in this convergence or risk being overshadowed by the growing prominence of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) efforts. Pat’s views are shaped by her active involvement in dialogues with the Department of Justice and other regulators and her current leadership in establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission focusing on effective ESG efforts. Join Tom Fox and Pat Harned on this episode of the Report from Impact podcast to delve deeper into these insights.

 

Highlights Include:

  • The Rise of Purpose-Driven Consumerism
  • The Value of Experienced Professional Advisors
  • Collaborative Partnership for Ethics and Compliance

 Resources

ECI

Categories
Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: October 13, 2023 – The Prime Time Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you compliance-related stories to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee, and listen in to the Daily Compliance News. All from the Compliance Podcast Network. Each day, we consider four stories from the business world: compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest for the compliance professional.

Stories we are following in today’s edition:

  • Staley was banned from the financial services arena.  (FT)
  • More 1MDB trouble for Goldman. (Reuters)
  • When the ex testifies-Day 3. (WaPo)
  • Leadership with Prime Time. (WSJ)
Categories
Hill Country Artists Podcast

Hill Country Artists Podcast: Nancy Huffman: A Journey Through Artistic Expression and Diversity

Delve into the heart of the Texas Hill Country with “Hill Country Canvas,” a podcast that paints the vibrant tapestry of art rooted in this iconic region. From the sun-drenched limestone cliffs to the serene Guadalupe River, the Hill Country has been a muse for countless artists, providing a unique backdrop for creativity to flourish. In each episode, we uncover the stories behind the area’s most captivating artworks, converse with local artists about their inspirations, and explore the fusion of Texan traditions with contemporary artistic expressions. In this episode of the Hill Country Artists podcast, hosted by Tom Fox, Nancy Huffman shares her experiences, inspirations, and aspirations as an artist.

Nancy Huffman, a passionate artist, has embarked on a remarkable artistic journey that has taken her from Dallas to Arkansas to the University of Texas and eventually to the vibrant art scene of Kerrville. From a young age, Nancy displayed a deep love for arts and crafts, which eventually led her to explore various artistic styles and mediums. Her journey began with oil painting lessons at the age of 13, where she honed her skills under the guidance of older women at the community center. This early exposure to art sparked her interest and set her on a path of artistic exploration.

After pursuing a career in teaching, she found herself yearning for more time to dedicate to her art. Upon retiring, she and her husband decided to move to Kerrville, a place known for its thriving art community. This move allowed Nancy to immerse herself in the local art scene, participating in shows, exhibitions, and plein air competitions. The decision to relocate to Kerrville not only provided her with a conducive environment for creating art but also allowed her to connect with other artists who shared her passion.

Nancy’s artistic portfolio is diverse, showcasing her versatility and ability to work in various styles. Drawing from her teaching background, she feels comfortable exploring different creative types, ranging from photorealism to impressionistic landscapes. While she appreciates the technical precision of photorealism, she finds herself drawn to impressionistic styles that allow for more abstract interpretations using colors and mark-making. Nancy’s artwork primarily focuses on landscapes, capturing the beauty of nature, but she also incorporates unique interpretations of wild animals, infusing them with a touch of fantasy and spirituality.

One of the highlights of Nancy’s artistic journey in Kerrville has been her involvement in the local art scene. She regularly meets with a group of artists to paint together, primarily working in watercolor due to its portability and convenience. These gatherings not only provide her with a sense of camaraderie but also offer an opportunity to bounce ideas off fellow artists and seek inspiration. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with other artists, as it helps to combat the isolation that can sometimes come with working in a studio alone.

Nancy’s artistic journey is a testament to the importance of following one’s passion and continuously seeking growth and inspiration. Her diverse portfolio reflects her willingness to explore different styles and techniques, allowing her to express her creativity in various ways. Through her involvement in the Kerrville art scene, she has found a supportive community that fosters artistic growth and collaboration.

Always remember that art requires not just the mind but also the heart and soul. Embrace your passion, embrace the beauty of nature, and let your art tell your story.

Resources

Nancy Huffman

Categories
Blog

2023 Global Business Ethics Survey: Part 5 – Workplace Ethics Concerns and the Need for Compliance

In a recent ECI podcast series, I had the opportunity to visit with Pat Harned, CEO of ECI. We took a deep dive into the 2023 Global Business Ethics Survey (GBES), which revealed concerning trends in workplace ethics. The survey highlighted increased employee pressure, misconduct, and retaliation against whistleblowers. These findings underscore the need for organizations to implement robust ethics and compliance programs, including formal anti-retaliation measures. In this concluding Part 5 of this blog post in this series, we consider what compliance professionals need to do based on this year’s GBES.

Pat firmly believes that workplace ethics concerns are a significant issue and that compliance programs are necessary to address these concerns. Her perspective is shaped by alarming data showing high levels of pressure, increased observations of misconduct, and worrying rates of retaliation in the workplace. Pat advocates for the implementation of high-quality ethics and compliance programs, emphasizing the importance of manager engagement, regular reminders of reporting resources, anti-retaliation programs, and holding all employees accountable for ethical behavior. She also recommends regular assessments of these programs and their impact to ensure their effectiveness.

The GBES data indicates that many employees perceive a lack of strong ethical standards in their workplaces. This perception is alarming, as it not only affects the well-being of workplaces but also erodes the trust of the public in business employees and consumers. In today’s society, people pay close attention to the conduct of businesses, making it crucial for organizations to address these concerns. Based on the findings of the 2023 GBES, ECI has seven recommendations.

  1. Put in place a High-Quality Ethics & Compliance Program (HQP). Organizations need to take steps to implement high-quality ethics and compliance programs. Merely having a code of conduct, a helpline, or conducting training is not enough. Organizations need to invest time in understanding what it means to have a higher-level program that can genuinely change the culture within an organization and reduce the risk of non-compliance.
  1. Focus on managers in an effort to reduce undue pressure. One of the key recommendations made in the episode is for business leaders to focus on managers. Managers play a significant role in shaping the culture of an organization and can inadvertently create undue pressure on employees. Educating supervisors about the impact of their actions and the ties between economic well-being, company strategy, and the temptation to compromise ethical standards can help reduce such pressure.
  1. Regularly remind employees of the resources that are available to receive reports of suspected misconduct. Another crucial recommendation is to remind employees of the resources available to report misconduct regularly. While most companies have helpline processes or reporting systems in place, employees may not always remember where to go when they observe wrongdoing. By consistently messaging the availability of reporting channels through formal channels and encouraging managers to discuss them periodically, organizations can create a culture that emphasizes the importance of reporting concerns.
  1. Implement a retaliation prevention program. The issue of retaliation must be addressed directly. Retaliation continues to be a significant problem in many organizations. To combat this, companies should develop formal anti-retaliation programs. These programs should include training for managers to recognize and prevent retaliation, as well as processes to monitor the well-being of employees who report misconduct. By actively demonstrating a commitment to preventing retaliation, organizations can build a reputationforf not tolerating such behavior.
  1. Encourage top managers and supervisors to engage in behaviors that build a strong ethical culture. The importance of top managers engaging in ethical and compliant behavior is emphasized as well. Organizations should encourage leaders to model ethical conduct, keep employees informed, and discipline wrongdoers. Performance metrics should be in place to hold managers accountable for these behaviors, ensuring a strong ethical culture is maintained over time.
  1. Hold employees at all levels accountable to your organization’s values and standards. It is crucial to hold all employees accountable for the organization’s values and standards. When employees perceive that rules are applied differently based on their position within the organization, it undermines the belief that the organization’s code and values truly matter. Compliance officers can work towards conveying the importance of equal accountability and regularly reporting summary statistics of substantiated allegations and disciplinary actions to foster transparency and trust.
  1. Assess your organization’s ethics & compliance program, culture, and impact. Every compliance professional should consider assessing their ethics and compliance programs, culture, and their impact. This step is critical in understanding the effectiveness of existing programs and identifying areas for improvement. By conducting regular assessments, literally, whenever your risks change, organizations can ensure their ethics and compliance initiatives align with their goals and values.

The 2023 GBES highlights the concerning trends in workplace ethics and the need for robust ethics and compliance programs. Organizations must prioritize implementing high-quality programs, focusing on managers, preventing retaliation, reminding employees of reporting resources, and holding all employees accountable. By addressing these concerns, organizations can create a culture that prioritizes ethics and compliance, safeguarding the well-being of workplaces and maintaining the trust of the public.

To access the 2023 GBES report and obtain more information about ECI, interested individuals can visit the organization’s website at www.ethics.org. The report provides a summary of the findings, while an interactive website allows users to explore the data in more detail.

For more information, check out the ECI podcast series with Pat Harned discussing the GBES here.

Categories
31 Days to More Effective Compliance Programs

One Month to a More Effective Compliance Program Through Innovation: Day 10 – Connected Compliance

Disconnectedness compliance comes from the fact that there is not one system that connects the disparate strands of the compliance discipline. Connected compliance allows a CCO and all those people in the organization working with compliance to have one central place, a system of record for everything they do. This can be their whistleblowing hotline, case management,  training of their employees, or training of their vendor’s policy. It is literally connecting them all so they are running from one central location, and these disparate systems can be monitored from one central location. A key way to think about it is “getting everything under one roof,” as one of the struggles many compliance officers have is that the information they need is literally siloed across different functions of the company. Information can be contained in the sales function, where there may be employee expense data, information on marketing expenses, or charitable donations in the sales organization, but it could be spread among other corporate functions as well.

All of this is what the DOJ has articulated as operationalizing compliance. It first garnered attention in the February 2017 release of the original Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs and has only increased with the 2023 ECCP. Since that time, compliance practitioners have steadily worked to move their compliance programs forward onto the front lines of their business units. Connected compliance is one way to do so, but it clearly requires a human element to not only interpret data but to impart the appropriate or required compliance solution. Operationalizing compliance means that you cannot have an annual or even quarterly update on what’s going on in the program. It must be operationalized in such a way that you are sharing information not only with the regional business units of floating up to the corporate compliance folks but also sharing information back and forth with the other business units, procurement, finance, and reacting in real-time.

Three key takeaways:

  1. Connected compliance moves you towards continuous monitoring.
  2. Compliance under one roof.
  3. Never forget the human element.

For more information, check out The Compliance Handbook, 4th edition, here.

Categories
Innovation in Compliance

2023 Global Business Ethics Survey: Part 5 – Improving Ethics and Compliance Programs: Insights from 2023 GBES

The Global Business Ethics Survey (GBES) conducted by the Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) provides valuable insights into workplace ethics and compliance from the perspective of employees. Tom Fox recently had the opportunity to visit with ECI CEO Pat Harned on the 2023 GBES. This survey has become a reliable benchmark for organizations to compare their workplace culture with third-party research, allowing them to identify areas for improvement and address potential risks.

Over the past 30 years of GBES research, ECI has identified and proven that certain “outcome” metrics are indicative of the well-being of workplaces from an ethics & compliance perspective. In this, the largest and latest update to the GBES body of research, employees in 42 countries around the world told us that there is reason for concern.

In Part 5 of a five-part podcast, we why companies need a strong ethical culture and high-quality compliance program.

Pat Harned, CEO of ECI (Ethics & Compliance Initiative) and a leading expert in workplace ethics and compliance programs, has extensive experience in the field and has led the 2023 Global Business Ethics Survey. Pat firmly believes that workplace ethics concerns are a significant issue and that compliance programs are necessary to address these concerns. Her perspective is shaped by alarming data showing high levels of pressure, increased observations of misconduct, and worrying rates of retaliation in the workplace. Pat advocates for the implementation of high-quality ethics and compliance programs, emphasizing the importance of manager engagement, regular reminders of reporting resources, anti-retaliation programs, and holding all employees accountable for ethical behavior. She also recommends regular assessments of these programs and their impact to ensure their effectiveness. Join Tom Fox and Pat Harned as they delve deeper into these issues in the upcoming episode of the 2023 GBES podcast.

Key Highlights:

  • Ethics and Compliance Challenges in Global Workplaces
  • Creating a Culture of Retaliation-Free Workplaces
  • Evaluating Organizational Performance with Global Benchmarks

Resources:

ECI

2023 Global Business Ethics Survey

Blog Post on the 2023 GBES, Part 5