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Kerrville Weekly News Roundup

Kerrville Weekly News Roundup: August 26, 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, Gilbert and Andrew discuss the following stories which caught their attention over the past week.

·      Tom discusses Shelby Balser being name Principal of the Year in Texas and Schreiner University’s upcoming 100th anniversary.

·      Andrew discusses the Kerrville Economic Investment Council and the City of Kerrville’s request for bonding funding for lifestyle improvements in the city.

·      Gilbert talks about the ongoing drought and the more critical need for water conservation moving to Stage 4. He also discusses the upcoming 5K runs in the City.

Resources

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Gilbert Paiz on LinkedIn

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Texas Hill Country Podcast Network

Categories
Because That's What Heroes Do

Firefly – Episode 14, Objects in Space – Unresolved Endings and Fan Loyalty in Firefly

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. Join the dynamic and delightful hosts Tom Fox and Megan Dougherty as they dive into the latest episode of Firefly in their podcast, Because That’s What Heroes Do!

Firefly, a beloved sci-fi series, despite its premature cancellation, has left an indelible mark on its dedicated fanbase with its intricate plot, deep character development, and the creative genius of its creator, Josh Whedon. Tom believes that Firefly was a well-orchestrated show with great character development and plot progression. He expresses disappointment over the series’ abrupt end and wishes for more exploration of the character River, an enhanced human with extraordinary abilities.

Megan another ardent fan, appreciates the show despite its short run. She highlights the unique episodic format of Firefly, where each episode can stand alone while still contributing to character and plot development. Despite recognizing the problematic aspects of the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, Megan still believes that he writes good stories. Join Tom Fox and Megan Dougherty on this episode of the Because That’s What Heroes Do podcast as they delve deeper into the world of Firefly by considering the Firefly movie version Serenity.

 Highlights

·      TV Series Firefly

·      Some Great SciFi

·      River’s Plan to Rescue the Crew

·      Fan Loyalty and Unresolved Ending

Resources

Megan Dougherty 

LinkedIn

One Stone Creative

Twitter

Tom 

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Riskology

Infortal on Risk Intelligence Part 5: Supply Chain Intelligence with Dr. Ian Oxnevad

In the final part of this week’s five-part special, Tom Fox discusses supply chain risks with Dr. Ian Oxnevad. He talks about the supply chain from a geopolitical risk perspective and the various steps companies can take to prepare themselves against those risks.

 

Dr. Ian Oxnevad is a political scientist and economist at Infortal Worldwide, a global risk firm that provides due diligence services to support key investment decision-making. Infortal Worldwide supports a lot of private equity investment, mergers, acquisitions, and any risk scenario a business may face.

  • Supply chain intelligence must first begin with a risk analysis. Companies must determine their exposure to geopolitical risks, such as political unrest, social unrest, or war. 
  • How a company de-risks its supply chain depends on which risk is the largest. “Are you looking at closing the distance and reducing logistical costs between a customer and a company?” Ian asks. Suppose your company is considering alternatives to its current supply chain system or systems outside its country. In that case, it must consider corruption, terrorism, organized crime, and ESG. 
  • Ian goes through some steps Infortal takes when counseling companies through de-risking. He describes what it takes to create a solid supply chain risk response plan. 
  • The intelligence process gives companies legal guidance and any other relevant information they need for making the right decisions while mitigating as much risk as possible.

KEY QUOTE

” Supply chain intelligence is key to understanding and avoiding hidden supply chain risks.”-  Dr. Ian Oxnevad 

Resources: 

Infortal Worldwide | Email | Tel: 1.800.736.4999

Categories
Blog

Infortal Worldwide Geopolitical Risk Intelligence 2023 Outlook: Part 5-Supply Chain Intelligence

I recently had the opportunity to visit with, Chris Mason, VP Global Compliance & Investigations at Infortal Worldwide and Dr. Ian Oxnevad, Director, Geopolitical Risk at Infortal Worldwide for a sponsor podcast on Infortal Worldwide’s Geopolitical Risk Intelligence 2023 Outlook. Over this series we considered business intelligence, ESG intelligence, corruption intelligence, sanctions intelligence and supply chain intelligence. In today’s final post in this five-part blog post series, we are joined by Ian Oxevad, Director of Geopolitical Risk at Infortal Worldwide, to discuss supply chain intelligence and how to navigate geopolitical risks. In this concluding blog post in this five-part series, we consider how to use intelligence to de-risk your supply chain and protect your business from geopolitical risks.

Oxnevad holds a PhD in political science and is an expert in in political science, economics, corporate espionage, economic warfare, money laundering, and terrorist financing to help companies understand the risks of their supply chain and how to de-risk it. He explains that supply chain intelligence is far from a new concept and goes as far back as the spice trade in the 15th century. Ian provides a three-step process to navigating supply chain intelligence and de-risking and provides a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

Here are the steps you need to follow to also get risk mitigation.:

1. Assess what your exposure is to certain geopolitical risks.

2. Utilize intelligence to find alternatives that connect a company to its customers.

3. Screen potential alternatives and warning indicators.

1. Assess what your exposure is to certain geopolitical risks.

The first step in assessing a company’s exposure to certain geopolitical risks is to gather information from the client. This includes their risk exposure, concerns, and goals. A company should then use intelligence sources, such as boots-on-the-ground resources and triangulated analysis, to create an intelligence product that can be used to make informed decisions. Once the risks have been identified, a company can then begin to look for potential alternatives to mitigate them. This could involve relocating suppliers to other regions, increasing efficiency, or increasing redundancy. Companies should also be aware of warning indicators that may indicate a rise in risk, such as political unrest, changes in regime, or an increase in militarism. Finally, the company must make an informed decision on which alternative to pursue. For more information on this topic, readers can visit the website Infortal.

2. Utilize intelligence to find alternatives that connect a company to its customers.

Utilizing intelligence to find alternatives that connect a company to its customers requires a two-step process. The first step is to interview the client, assess their risk exposure, and understand their goals. This will then inform the intelligence collection process which should include triangulated analysis, boots on the ground resources, and data from multiple sources. This will be collated into an intelligence product that will provide the client with a clear picture of their potential opportunities to de-risk.

The second step is to screen potential alternatives and conduct due diligence. This includes researching potential suppliers and investors, local conditions, and warning indicators that could signal risk in the future. This should give the company the information they need to make informed decisions and the ultimate decision of which alternative to pursue is left up to them. For more information, listeners can visit the Infortal website.

3. Screen potential alternatives and warning indicators.

The third step in addressing supply chain intelligence is to screen potential alternatives and warning indicators. This involves conducting an intelligence cycle for the company by interviewing the client to determine their risk exposure and goals, and then utilizing boots on the ground resources and triangulating analysis from different sources to refine and integrate information into an intelligence product. Companies can also benefit from due diligence to screen potential suppliers, investors, and local conditions.

It is also important to monitor warning indicators of developing risks. These indicators can include contentious presidential elections, the annexation of Crimea, the integration of Russian mercenaries in the Donatas and Donbas regions, and more. This can help the company anticipate any risk that the company may be exposed to, allowing them to make informed decisions on the best alternative supply chain system for them. Finally, the decision is up to the company and their legal counsel, executives, and other pertinent players.

Navigating supply chain intelligence and de-risking requires a two-step process of gathering information and utilizing intelligence sources to create an intelligence product. Companies should also screen potential alternatives, conduct due diligence, and monitor warning indicators to ensure they make the best decision for their company. With the right strategies and knowledge, any business can protect itself from geopolitical risks and achieve success.

Check out Ian Oxnevard on the Riskology by Infortal podcast here.

Categories
Report from IMPACT 2023

Report from IMPACT 2023: ESG Panel on Ethics, Compliance, and the Future: Navigating Transformation

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, 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 with a panel of ESG experts including Jacqueline Brevard, former Chief Ethics and Compliance officer of Merck, Andrea Bonime-Blanc, CEO of GeC Risk Advisory and Jose Javier Guadalupe, Integrity Director for the Platform for Social Impact.

In a series of thought-provoking podcast episodes from ECI IMPACT 2023, Tom Fox explores the intersection of ethics and compliance with environmental, social, and governance efforts. These episodes stress the importance of an integrated approach to these areas, emphasizing that businesses prioritizing intangible risks and opportunities are more likely to succeed in the future. The speakers also discuss the challenges of implementing this approach at the board level and the need for forward-thinking board members aligned with the organization’s mission and values. Additionally, the podcasts explore the impact of generational change in the workforce, urging leaders to adapt to the values and mindset of younger generations and create space for their ideas. The importance of ethics as a fundamental part of the future is emphasized, with speakers stressing the need for continuous education and learning amidst rapid changes. Overall, these episodes underscore the relevance of ethics and compliance in guiding organizations through transformative changes.

 Highlights Include 

·      Transformative Integrity

·      Generational Change in the Workforce

·      The Importance of Ethics in a Changing World

Resources 

Jacqueline Brevard on LinkedIn

Andrea Bonime-Blanc on LinkedIn

GEC Risk Advisory

Jose Javier Guadalupe on LinkedIn

Platform for Social Impact

Categories
31 Days to More Effective Compliance Programs

One Month to a More Effective Compliance Program: Day 19 – Compliance Culture At The Bottom

One of the most important focuses of the DOJ’s 2023 ECCP was around culture. This means how far has the culture of compliance been driven down into an organization. The 2019 Guidance posed the following:
Culture of Compliance – How often and how does the company measure its culture of compliance? Does the company seek input from all levels of employees to determine whether they perceive senior and middle management’s commitment to compliance? What steps has the company taken in response to its measurement of the compliance culture?
These questions point to a CCO or compliance practitioner demonstrating how a culture of compliance is being burned into the very fabric of an organization. While leadership at and from the top has long been considered by both the DOJ and compliance professionals as a key element to move compliance forward, the 2019 Evaluation has also crystalized thinking around compliance culture throughout the organization, including at the bottom
Too often, strategies to move a compliance program or even an initiative come from the top of an organization and are pushed down. To fully operationalize compliance, you must have leadership in compliance further down the organization which (hopefully) has been a part of the design process and can lead the implementation throughout an organization.

Three key takeaways:

  1. While tone at the top is critical, the tone at the bottom can work to more fully operationalize compliance.
  2. 95% of the work is done at this bottom level.
  3. Use HR to come up with a strategy to move compliance into the bottom for more complete operationalization.

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

Categories
Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: August 25, 2023 – The FUD Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance brings to 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.

  • Is crypto dead? (NYT)
  • End of the Spanish Kiss? (FT)
  • Venezuela makes last ditch appeal re: CITGO. (Reuters)
  • SFO drops ENRC investigation. (FT)
Categories
Riskology

Infortal on Risk Intelligence Part 4: Sanctions Intelligence with Chris Mason

This is part 4 of a special 5-part series featuring Infortal Worldwide. Tom Fox and Chris Mason discuss sanctions intelligence. Chris talks about regulation changes concerning sanctions, their impact on the business community, and reputational risk.

Chris Mason is with Infortal Worldwide, a global risk firm that provides due diligence services to support key investment decision-making. Infortal Worldwide supports a lot of private equity investment, mergers, acquisitions, and any type of risk scenario a business may face.

  • With sanctions, assessing your exposure and taking a holistic view of your business is important. Look at who you’re doing business with, your partners, your client, and your customer base, and then ensure that you have compliance documents that map out what your business program looks like.
  • Navigating the ever-changing international sanctions regimes starts with having a documented, adaptable plan for everyone on your company’s team. 
  • Regulations task forces are looking at companies in this new age of anti-corruption, so having a solid compliance program is crucial. 
  • Reputation is closely tied to a company’s value: if one decreases, so will the other. Violating sanctions laws can taint a company’s image in the eyes of the public. “Circling back to what we’ve been discussing, taking the steps to understand your risk exposure, setting up a plan that you can put in place that’s easy for your team to follow, can help you avoid these types of reputational risks and regulatory problems,” Chris remarks. 

KEY QUOTE

” Sanctions risk management should now be a key consideration for companies of all sizes.”-  Chris Mason 

Resources

Infortal Worldwide | Email | Tel: 1.800.736.4999

Categories
Popcorn and Compliance

Popcorn and Compliance: The Mandalorian, Season 3 – Episode 4, The Foundling

Tom Fox and Jay Rosen are back with a special summer season of Popcorn and Compliance. In this special series, Tom and Jay will review The Mandalorian, Season 3. Get ready for a ton of fun, insights, and all things Grogu and Mandalorian. So buckle up and get ready for an exhilarating journey!

In this edition, Tom and Jay dive into Episode 4, “The Foundling”. In this episode, they witness the impressive growth of a character named Grogu and the evolution of Bo-Katan as a leader within the Covert and Mandalorian communities. This episode brings thrilling combat scenes, thought-provoking themes, and a significant moment that leaves us eager for more. Join Tom and Jay to dissect the highlights and delve into the data-driven insights behind the fourth episode of season three.

“The Foundling” episode of The Mandalorian’s third season delves into the development of Grogu, the adorable puppet character, and explores the militaristic aspect of Mandalorian culture. Director Carl Weathers showcases Bo Katan’s fierce leadership and establishes Din Djarin as a member of the Mandalorian Covert through a rescue mission. The symbolism of the Mandalorian emblem, the mythosaur, is also examined as Bo-Katan attaches a piece to her armor, signifying her victory over or control over the creature.

Tom and Jay discuss Grogu’s visions, the evolving narrative of the show, and the portrayal of women, particularly Bo-Katan’s growth as a warrior and leader. Overall, the episode highlights the growth of Grogu, the exploration of Mandalorian culture, the symbolism of the mythosaur emblem, and the portrayal of strong female characters in media.

Key Highlights:

  1. The Rise of Grogu. One aspect that stood out in this episode was the development of Grogu, a character who continues to captivate our hearts. Jay Rosen expresses his love for Grogu’s growth, particularly in a tournament-style combat scene against Ralph Machio. Directed by Carl Weathers, this scene pays homage to the iconic “The Karate Kid,” although Tom Fox sees it as bullying. Regardless of the interpretation, it showcases Grogu’s impressive fighting skills and ability to overcome challenges.
  1. Leadership and Dominance. The Covert, a group of Mandalorians, follow a Spartan regime and train Foundlings in hand-to-hand combat. Grogu’s victory over a bully leads to tension with the bully’s zealous religious Mandalore father. This conflict sets the stage for a rescue mission that Din Djarin and Bo-Katan led, solidifying her leadership within the COVID and Mandalorian communities. Bo-Katan’s attachment of a mythosaur emblem to her armor signifies her leadership and dominance over the exiled Mandalorians. This moment carries significant weight and establishes her credibility as a leader.
  1. Exploring Themes of Machismo and Expectations. Throughout the episode, we are presented with thought-provoking themes surrounding machismo and the expectations placed on leaders. Tom and Jay discuss the different interactions with machismo, where men fit into society, and how they fight. They also mention Bo-Katan as a fierce warrior and suggest the need for more women fighting alongside her. A scene where Bo-Katan refuses to lead and go to a toxic area further asserts her identity as a warrior, highlighting the complexity of leadership expectations.
  1. Data-Driven Insights. The psychological play in this episode is masterfully crafted, with Grogu defeating a bully, capturing the bully’s son, and the mission to save him. These events provide a deeper understanding of the character’s motivations and growth throughout the series. Bo-Katan’s evolution as a leader and the expectation for leaders to save people and lead from the front are explored, offering valuable insights into leadership dynamics within the Mandalorian community.

The development of Grogu, the solidification of Bo-Katan’s leadership, and the exploration of themes surrounding machismo and expectations all contribute to the richness of this episode. The attachment of the mythosaur emblem to Bo-Katan’s armor is a powerful symbol of her dominance and leadership. Join us in our next podcast as we delve into episode five, titled “The Pirate,” and continue unraveling the captivating world of “The Foundling.”

Remember, leadership can take many forms, and embracing diversity and inclusion within our lives is essential. Let’s continue to learn from the characters in “The Foundling” and apply these insights to our journeys.

This is The Way!

Categories
Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: August 24, 2023 – The Climate Conscious Employee Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance brings to 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.

  • Poverty a direct result of corruption. (Time)
  • The climate conscious employee. (FT)
  • Ed Siskel named as White House Counsel. (Reuters)
  • DOJ charged 3100 with Pandemic fraud. (NYT)