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Sunday Book Review

Sunday Book Review: June 4, 2023 – The Books on Orwell Edition

In the Sunday Book Review, I consider books that would interest the compliance professional, the business executive, or anyone who might be curious. It could be books about business, compliance, history, leadership, current events, or anything else that might interest me. In today’s edition of the Sunday Book Review, we begin a two-part look at George Orwell and his writings. Today we review books on Orwell. Next week, it’s booked by Orwell.

·      Orwell: The New Life by DJ Taylor

·      Orwell: The Life by DJ Taylor

·      Orwell: The Authorized Biography by Michael Sheldon

·      Why Orwell Matters by Christopher Hitchens

Categories
Trekking Through Compliance

Trekking Through Compliance – Episode 2 – Charlie X

In this episode of Trekking Through Compliance, we consider Charlie X, which aired on September 15, 1966, Star Date 1533.6.

The USS Enterprise meets the merchant vessel Antares to take charge of Charlie Evans, the sole survivor of a transport ship that crashed on Thasus. For fourteen years, 17-year-old Charlie grew up alone, stranded in the wreckage, learning to talk from the ship’s computer systems, which remained intact.

Despite his eagerness to please, Charlie becomes obnoxious since his lack of upbringing has left him with no knowledge of social norms or control of his emotions. He latches on to Captain Kirk as a father figure and develops an infatuation with Yeoman Janice Rand. He demonstrates extraordinary powers of telepathy and matter transmutation. When the Antares is nearly out of sensor range, it transmits a message to the Enterprise. The message is cut off before it can convey a warning. Scanners show the Antares has been reduced to debris.

Realizing Charlie’s powers are too great to be controlled, and Kirk opts to divert from Alpha V to at least keep Charlie away from a civilized world where he would wreak havoc. Charlie discovers Kirk’s plans and takes control of the Enterprise.

A Thasian ship approaches and restores the Enterprise and its crew to their proper forms. The Thasian commander says that his race gave Charlie his powers so he could survive in their world, but these powers (which they can’t remove from him) make him too dangerous to live among humans. Charlie begs Kirk not to let the aliens have him since the Thasians lack any physical form or capacity for love. However, the Thasians reject Kirk’s argument that Charlie belongs with his kind, with a final echoing wail of “I wanna stay!

Compliance Takeaways:

  1. Ask more of your front-line employee, and they will respond positively.
  2. Compliance is like a multi-dimensional chess match.
  3. As a compliance professional, who are you mentoring?

Resources:

Excruciatingly Detailed Plot Summary by Eric W. Weisstein for CharlieX
MissionLogPodcast.com-Charlie X

Categories
Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: June 3, 2023 – The It’s Going to be Bad 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 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:

  • Ja Morant punishment is to be levied after NBA Finals. (ESPN)
  • The law department of the future. (WSJ)
  • A white-collar prison in El Salvador? (Reuters)
  • Ex-Novartis execs cleared in Greece. (Fierce Pharma)
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Because That's What Heroes Do

Because That’s What Heroes Do – Firefly – Episode 2, The Train Job

Megan and I go in a different direction for our next sci-fi series as we take up the 2002 series Firefly. The show is an American space Western drama television series. The series is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity.

Get ready to ride the space rails with hosts Tom Fox and Megan Dougherty in the latest episode of Because That’s What Heroes Do. In this new adventure, the duo dives into the second episode of Firefly, “The Train Job.” Discover new insights on the classic Western trope of using spaceships to rob trains, meet the ruthless villain, Niska, and learn about the value of money in the show. Explore the crew’s willingness to do anything for a quick buck and how their ethical issues rear their heads. Get excited to hear the hosts’ thoughts on the crew’s botched cover story and the extreme consequences of stealing valuable medicine. Join in on the conversation as they discuss the perils of TerraForming and the failures of the Alliance. Plus, stick around for their thoughts on an episode with the perfect blend of Western and sci-fi themes. Tune in to Because That’s What Heroes Do and get swept away in this space western adventure!

Highlights:

  • Firefly’s Train Job: Classic Western trope with a twist
  • Train Robbery and Terraforming Consequences
  • Controversy Surrounding Shipping Homeless People

 Resources

Megan Dougherty 

LinkedIn

One Stone Creative

Twitter

Tom 

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

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Principled Podcast

Principled Podcast – S9 E15 – The Key to Effective Training and Communications? Simplicity.

What you’ll learn on this podcast episode

Building a winning culture of ethics and compliance requires efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of a program—including training, communications, and a code and conduct. But how do you ensure these elements all work together to create a meaningful and intentional learning experience? While also contributing to desired business outcomes? In this episode of LRN’s Principled Podcast, host Carolyn Grace explores why a deep understanding of curriculum design is essential to developing an effective program. Listen in as she speaks with Erick Sawyerthe chief ethics and compliance officer of Inhabit, (recently rebranded from Inhabit IQ), and Damien DeBarra, the leader of Curriculum Design and Communication Strategy in LRN’s Advisory group, about the learning curriculum they created by leveraging Inhabit’s code of conduct. 

Guest: Erick Sawyer

Erick Sawyer – Grayscale

As Inhabit’s chief ethics and compliance officer, Erick Sawyer leads the company’s day-to-day compliance operations to ensure Inhabit is in compliance with various regulatory requirements and employees are in adherence with internal procedures and policies. Erick creates strategic programs that are paired with tactical plans to positively impact customers and employees across the software ecosystem. Prior to joining Inhabit, Erick held various roles in legal, compliance, quality, and learning and development in the financial services industry. He has focused his career on bridging the gap between people and process to drive a culture of ethics and compliance, protecting the brand and reputation of leading organizations.

Guest: Damien DeBarra

Damien DeBarra – Grayscale

Damien DeBarra brings more than 20 years’ experience to the instructional design and strategic workforce planning spaces.  As the Leader in Curriculum Design and Communication Strategy at LRN, he focuses on creating training solutions that ensure business buy-in and connect hiring practices to day-one learning roll-outs. In the last few years, Damien has helped organizations such as United Airlines, Sun Life Financial, SITEL, Astellas, MFS Investments, and SAP create 90-day action plans for their solutions and develop supporting communication strategies. He has worked with over 200 clients in areas ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals, call centers to nuclear plant manufacturing. Prior to LRN, Damien spent more than nine years as the Learning Solutions Director and Head of Instructional Design at Interactive Services. He has also worked as an instructional designer at NCALT, Electric Paper, and Epic. Damien received his BA from Maynooth University.

Host: Carolyn Grace

Carolyn_Grace_Principled_Podcast

Carolyn Grace is a content writer on LRN’s global marketing team and co-producer of the Principled Podcast. She specializes in writing compelling stories about ethics and compliance that resonate across business segments, industries, and personas while hitting critical KPIs for traffic and engagement. Topics she frequently covers include ESG, data privacy and protection, DEI, the role of boards of directors and leadership, corporate training and e-learning, and ethical corporate culture.

Prior to joining LRN, Carolyn was a writer and content strategist at Thinkso Creative, a boutique creative agency in New York City. At Thinkso, she wrote internal and external communications for clients in technology, nonprofit, law, logistics, and financial services sectors. Before that, Carolyn conducted trend research and cultural strategy at Horizon Media, specializing in entertainment, travel, media and technology, health and wellness, and food and beverage categories. Carolyn graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in American History and French Studies and a minor in Journalism.

Categories
Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: June 2, 2023 – The End is Nigh 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 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:

  • South Sudan mining corruption. (OCCRP)
  • End of LIBOR is here. (WSJ)
  • Ford accuses Blue Cross of making too much money. (Reuters)
  • Use WFH and get a tax break in Texas. (Bloomberg)
Categories
The Woody Report

The Woody Report: Succession: The Final Season, Episode 10 – With Open Eyes

Co-hosts Tom Fox and Karen Woody are back as they delve deep into the final season of Succession. From the recurring theme of personal vs. business decisions to the amazing performance from Shiv, these two bring you it all! But that’s not all – learn valuable lessons about deal-making and cultural fit, and find out why the attention to detail in the clothing and accessories of the characters is so important. And if you’re looking for a great podcast recommendation, tune in to catch their thoughts on a brand-new show – who knows, you might find your next binge-worthy obsession! Don’t miss an episode of The Woody Report, where Tom and Karen bring you all the latest in pop culture, business, and more from the final season of Succession.

In this episode, Tom and Karen delve into the final episode of “Succession.” They praise Kendall’s strategic thinking and analyze the complex relationships between the Roy siblings, noting their love for each other and their tendency to belittle one another. The tension builds as they discuss the pivotal board meeting and Shiv’s unexpected decision. The hosts also debate the characters’ complex motivations in the show’s finale, speculating their future paths. With witty banter and in-depth analysis, Karen and Tom take listeners on a thrilling ride through the inner workings of “Succession.” Take advantage of this engaging and insightful podcast!

Highlights Include:

  • Recap of “The Succession” Episode 10
  • Sibling Rivalry and Love
  • Shiv’s deciding vote for the deal
  • Analysis of Kendall’s Addiction and Meltdown
  • Uncovering Flaws in Logan and the Ending
  • Analysis of ‘Succession’ characters and finale
  • Who won and who lost?

 Resources

Karen on LinkedIn

Karen at Washington & Lee, School of Law

Tom

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Because That's What Heroes Do

Because That’s What Heroes Do – Firefly – Episode 1, Serenity

Megan and I go in a different direction for our next sci-fi series as we take up the 2002 series Firefly. The show is an American space Western drama television series. The series is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity.

In this episode, Tom and Megan begin with the Pilot Episode, “Serenity,” by discussing the characters and their dynamics. You’ll hear their thoughts on the Western tropes present in the show and the moral ambiguity that’s reminiscent of Deep Space Nine. They discuss the portrayal of sex work and the universe in which the show takes place, examining the political nature of the conflict and the dangers of terraforming. You want to see their fascinating comparison between the Reavers and the Borg, both being a horrifying transformation of humans. The hosts also analyze the alliance and its similarities to other governmental agencies in space franchises, such as Star Wars, and the mishmash of various genres, languages, peoples, concepts, and ideas presented in the show. Join the Because That’s What Heroes Do community to participate in fascinating discussions and theories for the next episodes.

Highlights:

  • Firefly TV Show Review – Pilot Episode
  • Western Genre and Firefly Characters Comparison
  • Problematic Tropes and Characterization in Mid-2000s TV
  • Political Conflict and Terraforming in Alternate Universe
  • Comparison of Firefly’s Reavers to Borg and Hitchcock
  • Comparing Alliance to Star Wars Empire

 Resources

Megan Dougherty 

LinkedIn

One Stone Creative

Twitter

Tom 

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Career Can D0

The Project Management Paradigm: Exploring Possibilities with Eddie Merla

A proficient project manager plays a vital role in guiding a project to its successful completion, impacting both organizational objectives and individual lives. In this episode of Career Can Do, project management expert Eddie Merla joins Mary Ann Faremouth to share insights for anyone contemplating or currently in the field of project management. Eddie Merla is a seasoned project management  professional whose expertise extends to training and consulting. He is also the co-author of Communicate, Lead and Transform, a book which teaches effective leadership and transformation strategies. He serves as an adjunct professor at Rice University’s Susan M. Glascock School of Continuing Studies. He and Mary Ann explore the journey into project management, including the skills required, the importance of certification, and the tangible benefits this profession can bring to organizations and individuals alike.

Project management is not just about understanding the tasks at hand; it’s a more holistic approach that requires a blend of numerous skills. Eddie underscores the importance of leadership, communication, time management, creative problem-solving, and team-building skills. Moreover, he emphasizes that “project management is about managing value, not just tasks.” This implies that a good project manager should look beyond mere task completion, focusing on creating and maintaining value throughout the project’s lifecycle.

 

Eddie believes that certification, particularly the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, can be a valuable stepping stone in the journey to becoming a proficient project manager. “Obtaining the certification requires experience and passing a credential exam,” he tells listeners. This certification can help individuals understand the language and processes of project management, enabling them to integrate into the role seamlessly.

 

Project management brings tangible benefits that extend beyond mere task execution, Eddie shares. It formalizes the process, impacts lives and organizations, and enhances the success rate of projects. Reflecting on his experiences, he suggests that project management is essentially about “weathering the storm and helping organizations achieve their goals.”

 

Resources

Eddie Merla on the Web | LinkedIn | Communicate, Lead and Transform

Faremouth.com

Categories
let's talk about it

It’s Art, Let’s Talk About It – Jason Scull

The Museum of Western Art is dedicated to excellence in the collection, preservation, and promotion of Western Heritage and our diverse audiences’ education and cultural enrichment. The Museum serves as a bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that the legacy of the American West will be preserved for the future. Western Art is as engaging and important as ever. In this podcast series, Museum Executive Director Darrell Beauchamp visits with the artists who work in this Western heritage to talk about their work, the legacy of Western Art, and why talking about it is so important today.

In this inaugural episode of “It’s Art, Let’s Talk About It,” host Darrell Beauchamp interviews sculptor Jason Scull and talks about how he got started in sculpting and how his mother’s encouragement helped his artistry blossom. Despite his family’s farming and ranching background, Jason found solace and inspiration in art. He explains how his journey into sculpting began with a simple question at a museum, leading to an exciting and fulfilling career.

Jason primarily sculpts cows, horses, and Hispanic subjects, denoting Texas culture and regional work. The podcast explores the significance of mentorship and the responsibility of successful artists to give back, including Jason’s work with the Western Art Academy. The hosts also touch on the history and future of the Cowboy Artists of America organization and provide useful advice for aspiring artists. Listen in as Jason and Darrell dive deep into the world of visual art in this exciting and enlightening conversation. If you’ve ever been interested in sculpting or art, this episode is a must-listen.

Here are three tips to keep in mind:

1. Believe in yourself – Jason’s story is an inspiring example of how believing in yourself and your abilities can lead to amazing opportunities. Don’t be afraid to take chances and explore new paths.

2. Find inspiration in unexpected places – Sometimes, inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places. Jason’s chance question at a museum led to his passion for sculpting. Keep an open mind and let yourself be inspired by the world around you.

3. Practice, practice, practice – Jason didn’t become a talented sculptor overnight. It took years of hard work and dedication. Whatever your passion may be, remember that practice and persistence are key to improving.

As Jason says: “The circuitous route our lives take at times takes us to strange places.” Listen to this episode to learn more about Jason’s incredible journey and how his love of sculpting has helped him find fulfillment in life.

 Resources

Museum of Western Art

Darrell Beauchamp on LinkedIn

Jason Scull