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Infortal on Risk Intelligence Part 3: Corruption Intelligence with Chris Mason

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Post date August 23, 2023
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In part 3 of this week’s five-part special, Tom Fox discusses corruption intelligence with Chris Mason. Chris returns to talk about how organizations can mitigate corruption within their corporate environments and the steps they can take to ensure they comply with regulations.

Chris Mason is with Infortal Worldwide, a global risk firm that provides due diligence services to support key investment decisions. Infortal Worldwide supports many private equity investments, mergers, acquisitions, and any risk scenario a business may face.

Combating organizational corruption starts with setting the right cultural tone. Establishing your organization’s culture and how it will navigate anti-corruption regulations is critical to avoiding illegal and costly behavior.
To conduct business overseas successfully, you must understand the culture of the country you wish to do business with. “Without really taking a holistic view of what’s going on on the ground level, you’re not going to truly understand what the business culture is that you’re jumping into,” Chris says.
A key to due diligence is understanding who you’re doing business with. It would be best to dive deeper to understand who you partner with overseas. Basic checks aren’t enough. You need to know what’s happening on the ground.
Using local resources when researching international markets is important to familiarise yourself with local customs and business culture.
This will be critical for your team to be able to interpret any market intelligence collected.

KEY QUOTE

“Understanding who you partner with overseas is key to avoiding unnecessary corruption risks.” – Chris Mason

Resources

Infortal Worldwide | Email | Tel: 1.800.736.4999

Tags Chris Mason, corruption intelligence, Infortal

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Infortal Worldwide Geopolitical Risk Intelligence 2023 Outlook: Part 3-Corruption Intelligence

Post author By admin
Post date August 23, 2023
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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 consider business intelligence, ESG intelligence, corruption intelligence, sanctions intelligence and supply chain intelligence. In today’s post, I visited with Chris Mason as we consider how to protect your business from corruption, and learn how to stay in compliance with international regulations.

Here are the steps you need to follow to also get compliance, collaboration, knowledge.:

1. Setting a company’s cultural outlook on anti-corruption regulation.

2. Understanding the local business culture in the jurisdictions where business is conducted.

3. Having boots on the ground intelligence to understand local customs, business norms, and risk.

1. Setting a company’s cultural outlook on anti-corruption regulation.

Setting a company’s cultural outlook on anti-corruption regulation is an essential part of ensuring compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). This outlook should be set from the top down, so that it is clear to all employees that the company is committed to upholding anti-corruption regulations. Additionally, it is important to understand the local business and cultural norms of the jurisdictions in which the company is doing business. Companies should take an open source, intelligence-based approach to collecting information on the local landscape, and they should also consider having boots on the ground to get a better idea of how the third parties they work with are conducting business. Finally, companies should be aware of the differences between their own local laws and regulations and those of the jurisdictions in which they are doing business, as well as the differences in attorney-client privilege. With these steps, companies can ensure that they are setting a strong cultural outlook on anti-corruption regulation.

2. Understanding the local business culture in the jurisdictions where business is conducted.

Understanding the local business culture in the jurisdictions where business is conducted is a critical step when expanding operations abroad. It is important to gain a holistic view of the business culture before entering a new market. To do this, companies should take a top-down approach to set a corporate culture outlook and expectations for compliance. Additionally, companies should research the local business customs, norms, and legal systems to ensure they are abiding by the laws. It is also important to build relationships with local resources to do in-country searches and gain an understanding of the culture. This is especially important when entering countries with different legal systems, such as the United Kingdom. The Department of Justice and other foreign prosecutorial powers have also worked together on enforcement actions, such as in Brazil, where US. Federal law enforcement backed up the Brazilian authorities in bringing down webs of corruption. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of local business culture, companies should utilize open source intelligence to gather information and have boots on the ground to understand the risk profile of individuals and companies. Doing this due diligence can help companies to understand the local culture and make informed decisions on how to operate in the new jurisdiction.

3. Having boots on the ground intelligence to understand local customs, business norms, and risk.

Having boots on the ground intelligence to understand local customs, business norms, and risk is a critical aspect of conducting business in overseas markets. To ensure that a business is not engaging in any unethical or illegal practices, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the local customs, business norms, and risk associated with the market. One way to do this is by utilizing a “boots on the ground” intelligence approach. This approach involves having an in-country source do an in-depth research into the local business and cultural norms. This research should include public record searches, courthouse searches, media searches, and other in-depth research. This type of research will help businesses understand how their third-party agents and vendors conduct business in the local jurisdiction. Additionally, it will help businesses identify any potential risks associated with the local market. By utilizing a boots on the ground intelligence approach, businesses can ensure that they are following all applicable laws and regulations, and that they are engaging in ethical business practices.

In order to combat corruption and stay in compliance with international regulations, companies must set a corporate cultural outlook on anti-corruption regulation from the top down, understand the local business culture in the jurisdictions where business is conducted, and have boots on the ground intelligence to understand local customs, business norms, and risk. With these steps, companies can ensure that they are setting a strong cultural outlook on anti-corruption regulation and that they are operating within the law. With the right mindset and approach, companies can protect their business from corruption and enjoy the rewards that come with international expansion. So don’t be afraid to go global – with the right due diligence and research, you can achieve success while staying in compliance with international regulations.

Join us tomorrow where we take up Sanctions Intelligence.

Check out Chris on the Riskology by Infortal podcast here.

Tags Chris Mason, corruption intelligence, Infortal

Riskology

Infortal on Risk Intelligence Part 2: ESG Intelligence with Chris Mason

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Post date August 22, 2023
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In this second episode of the five-part special, Tom Fox discusses ESG intelligence with Chris Mason. They talk about the importance of ESG profiles, meeting regulatory requirements, and what ESG as a whole can do for businesses.

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, and acquisitions, as well as any type of risk scenario a business may face.

Businesses need to understand what their own ESG profile looks like. As regulations come into play, it’s going to be very important to know where your company sits along the ESG spectrum. “To truly understand that, you’ve got to really understand your exposure to a lot of environmental-based situations and circumstances that you may not have had experience with in the past,” Chris says.
An ESG profile is vital for the middle market. Larger players in the market will be required to make ESG disclosures to potential partners and clients and comply with emerging regulations. Smaller companies will have to do the same in order to do business with larger companies. They will be looking at the ESG profiles of smaller companies to ensure alignment.
After assessing their ESG profile, companies can then build a plan to meet their long-term ESG-related goals.
A key element of ESG disclosure requirements is to make sure that you are actually following through on promises made. If your stance on environmental and social issues does not align with your actions as an organization, it can be detrimental for you.
Your ESG profile is not static and can change.

KEY QUOTE

” A company’s ESG profile can significantly impact both reputation and valuation. ” – Chris Mason

Resources

Infortal Worldwide | Email | Tel: 1.800.736.4999

Tags Chris Mason, ESG Intelligence, Infortal

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Infortal Worldwide Geopolitical Risk Intelligence 2023 Outlook: Part 2-ESG Intelligence

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Post date August 22, 2023
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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 consider business intelligence, ESG intelligence, corruption intelligence, sanctions intelligence and supply chain intelligence. In today’s post, I will visit with Chris Mason, to consider why an ESG profile is an important business exercise. So join us as we dive into what ESG Intelligence is and how to optimize it!

ESG Intelligence is an important tool for ESG investors, as it provides access to a wide range of data and insights about companies and sectors that enable them to make more informed investment decisions. ESG Intelligence is designed to provide investors with a comprehensive view of the environmental, social, and governance performance of companies and sectors, allowing them to identify and assess risks and opportunities associated with potential investments. The data and insights provided by ESG Intelligence enable investors to better understand the potential impact of their investments in terms of sustainability and ethical considerations.

In addition, ESG Intelligence can help investors identify companies and sectors that are making progress towards sustainability and responsible investing goals. By providing investors with access to data and insights about ESG performance, ESG Intelligence enables them to make more informed decisions when it comes to evaluating and investing in companies and sectors that are demonstrating progress towards sustainable goals. By using ESG Intelligence, investors can have greater confidence in the investments they make and make more informed decisions that will benefit both their portfolios and the planet.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Assessing your own company’s set of values as they relate to ESG

2. Building what you would expect to find in future partners or companies you’re looking to invest in

3. Setting what your ESG profile should look like and making an initial assessment of where you stand today.

1. Assessing your own company’s set of values as they relate to ESG.

Assessing your own company’s set of values as they relate to ESG begins with understanding the ESG landscape and the regulations and standards that are associated with it. Companies need to take a holistic approach to understand their exposure to environmental, social, and governance-related issues. This assessment should include an examination of the company’s current operations and any potential issues that may arise in the future. Companies should also consider their supply chain and how their actions may affect other stakeholders. In addition, they should consider the regulatory framework of the jurisdictions in which they operate, as well as any non-regulatory bodies, such as ISFR or SASB, which may have established standards for ESG. Once a company has a better understanding of their ESG profile, they can then better assess their exposure and make informed decisions about their operations and potential investments or acquisitions.

The next step in assessing your company’s set of values as they relate to ESG is to identify any gaps. Companies should look for areas where their current standards may not meet ESG standards, or where they may need to increase their focus. For example, if a company is operating in a jurisdiction where ESG regulations are not yet in place, they may need to consider increasing their focus on the environment and social issues. This can include assessing their own operations and supply chain for potential risks, as well as engaging with stakeholders to understand their expectations. Companies should also look for opportunities to improve their ESG profile, such as increasing transparency and reporting, or introducing new technologies and practices that are better aligned with ESG standards.

Finally, companies should develop a plan of action to address any identified gaps in their ESG profile. This should include a commitment to improving their standards and practices in line with ESG regulations and standards. It should also include a timeline and targets for achieving the desired outcomes. Companies can use this plan of action to demonstrate their commitment to ESG and to build trust with stakeholders. By taking the time to assess their own set of values as they relate to ESG and develop an action plan, companies can demonstrate that they are taking ESG seriously and are willing to make changes to become more sustainable.

2. Building what you would expect to find in future partners or companies you’re looking to invest in

Building what you would expect to find in future partners or companies you’re looking to invest in starts with assessing your own company’s set of values as they relate to ESG. This involves examining your company’s exposure to environmental, social, and governance issues. It is important to understand what your ESG profile looks like so that when partnering with larger companies or when engaging in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activities, you can provide the necessary information to potential partners. Infortal can help guide you through this process and help you understand your exposure to potential ESG issues. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the current and upcoming regulations and standards, both domestically and internationally, to ensure that any disclosures made related to ESG issues are honest and accurate. Lastly, it is important to assess your current ESG profile to make changes as needed and to set goals for what your company’s profile should look like moving forward.

It is also important to consider the ESG profile of any potential partners or companies you’re looking to invest in. Understanding the ESG profile of a company can help you assess their overall risk and identify any potential ESG-related issues that may be of concern. At Infortal, we provide detailed analysis of a company’s ESG profile and can help you understand how the company is performing in terms of environmental, social, and governance factors. This can help you make an informed decision as to whether the company is a good fit for your own business.

Additionally, when engaging in M&A activities, it is important to be aware of the ESG standards and regulations of the target company. This includes understanding their current ESG policies, procedures, and standards and how they may affect the overall deal. Infortal can provide you with the necessary information to help you assess the target company’s ESG profile and ensure that you are in compliance with any applicable regulations. By understanding the current and upcoming ESG standards, you can better assess the risk of a potential deal and ensure that any disclosures made related to ESG issues are accurate and reliable.

3. Setting what your ESG profile should look like and making an initial assessment of where you stand today.

The third step in understanding a company’s ESG profile is setting what the profile should look like and making an initial assessment of where the company currently stands. This process begins by taking a holistic view of the company’s exposure to environmental, social, and governance issues. An important part of this is to identify any potential issues that could arise due to the company’s exposure to these ESG topics. After identifying these potential issues, companies should then set goals for their ESG profile and determine how they can achieve those goals.

This should include an evaluation of the current regulations and standards related to ESG, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, companies should also consider the potential regulations and standards that may come into effect in the future. Finally, it’s important to be honest and transparent when disclosing information about the company’s ESG profile, as this can be a key factor in determining the company’s overall business value. By taking these steps, companies can ensure that they have a comprehensive understanding of their ESG profile and can be better prepared for any future regulations or standards that may be implemented.

Once a company has set their ESG goals and identified potential issues, the next step is to make an initial assessment of where the company currently stands. This assessment should include an analysis of the company’s current performance in areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, carbon emissions, water usage, labor standards, and corporate governance. Companies should also consider the impact their operations have on the environment, local communities, and society. Additionally, companies should also examine the effectiveness of any existing ESG policies, procedures, and programs. This assessment should also identify any challenges or gaps that may exist in meeting ESG goals. By taking the time to properly assess the company’s current ESG performance, companies can better understand their strengths and weaknesses in this area and can better prepare for any changes or adjustments that may be needed to ensure they are meeting their ESG goals.

Once the initial assessment is complete, companies should then develop a plan of action for meeting their ESG goals. This plan should include specific goals, timelines, and actionable steps that the company can take. Additionally, companies should also consider the resources and capital needed to implement the plan, as well as any potential risks or challenges that may arise. Finally, companies should also track their ESG performance to ensure that they are meeting their goals. By taking these steps, companies can be better prepared to meet their ESG goals and stay ahead of any potential regulations or standards that may be implemented in the future.

Understanding ESG Intelligence is essential for investors and companies to make informed decisions about their investments and operations. In this blog post, we discussed how to assess, build, and set an ESG profile. We examined the importance of understanding the current regulations and standards from domestic and international regulatory and non-regulatory bodies and how to make an initial assessment of where the company currently stands when it comes to ESG. With the right knowledge and tools, you can unlock the potential of your ESG profile and make well-informed decisions that will benefit your portfolio and the planet. Do not be intimidated by the regulations and standards associated with ESG – take the first step and unlock your ESG Intelligence today!

Join us tomorrow where we take up Corruption Intelligence.

Check out Chris on the Riskology by Infortal podcast here.

Tags Chris Mason, ESG, ESG Intelligence, Infortal

Riskology

Infortal on Risk Intelligence Part 1: Global Risk with Chris Mason

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Post date August 21, 2023
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In episode one of this five-part special, Tom Fox discusses risk intelligence from a geopolitical perspective. Guest Chris Mason explains the importance of risk assessment and analysis that companies must undertake when engaging in international business and the need for conducting due diligence based on open-source intelligence to uncover and mitigate hidden risks.

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

It’s important to know who you’re doing business with at the executive level, especially in today’s market.
When entering into a new deal or merger with an individual or company, you need to take a holistic view of the track record of that company or individual. You have to do your due diligence to ensure that you’re not partnering with people engaged in unethical or illegal activity.
By conducting business due diligence, you learn who’s behind the companies you want to engage with and what their ideals and values are.
Most of the information Infortal gathers for its due diligence processes is available via the deep web. Chris emphasizes that to be able to obtain information for your research, you must have access to various digital tools and be able to use them effectively.
If a company gets its due diligence wrong, it can cost them exponentially. Chris uses the example of JP Morgan and the recent multi-million-dollar loss it suffered due to false information. Key investment decision-making should include open-source, intelligence-based due diligence to uncover and mitigate hidden risks.

KEY QUOTE

“When considering a new investment, you need to gain a deep understanding of who you’re doing business with.” – Chris Mason

Resources

Infortal Worldwide | Email | Tel: 1.800.736.4999

Tags business intelligence, Chris Mason, Infortal

Blog

Infortal Worldwide Geopolitical Risk Intelligence 2023 Outlook: Part 1-Business Intelligence

Post author By admin
Post date August 21, 2023
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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 blogpost series we consider business intelligence, ESG intelligence, corruption intelligence, sanctions intelligence and supply chain intelligence. In today’s post, I will visit with Chris Mason, a veteran of the Department of Homeland Security as we consider the need for a business intelligence strategy.

Having a successful business intelligence strategy is essential to remain competitive in today’s market. It is important to have key components to ensure that the strategy is effective and efficient. The key components of a successful business intelligence strategy include data gathering, data analysis, data reporting, and data visualization.

Data gathering involves collecting data from various sources and storing them in a centralized repository. Data analysis then takes place to identify patterns, trends, and correlations in the data. Data reporting is then used to provide insights and recommendations on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the business. Finally, data visualization helps to clearly present the analysis results to stakeholders and decision makers. With these key components in place, businesses can make informed decisions that align with their overall objectives.

Here are steps to follow:

Collecting information from all of the different resources that are available (deep web, dark web, social media, etc.)
Analyzing the risk profile of individuals that one plans to engage in business with or bring into a company.
Weaving together a full holistic view of the profile of the individuals and companies involved with the deal.

Collecting information.

Collecting information from all the different resources that are available (deep web, dark web, social media, etc.) is an important first step to gathering risk intelligence from a geopolitical basis. The approach that Infortal takes is an open source, intelligence-based approach to analyzing the risk profile of individuals or new companies. This includes collecting information from the deep web, dark web, social media, litigation, criminal background, and potential sources. This data should be woven together to form a holistic view of the profile of the individuals and companies involved with the deal. The process of finding this information is complex and requires the use of tools and techniques to gain access to the information on the deep web, which is not indexed by search engines. This type of due diligence can help to save a business from making a mistake and prevent them from entering a deal with a company or individual that has a high-risk profile.

In addition to using the deep web and dark web to gather risk intelligence, Infortal also uses open-source intelligence (OSINT) to gain access to data. OSINT is a form of intelligence gathering that involves collecting publicly available data from various sources, such as news articles, social media posts, and other publicly available sources. OSINT can provide a wealth of information about a company, its operations, and its people, allowing Infortal to develop a more detailed risk profile. By combining OSINT with the data gathered from the deep web and dark web, Infortal can provide risk intelligence to companies and individuals that are looking to enter a transaction.

By combining the use of deep web and dark web data with open-source intelligence, Infortal can provide a comprehensive view of the risk involved in any deal. This helps to ensure that businesses and individuals can make informed decisions and can help them to avoid getting involved in any potentially damaging deals.

Analyzing the risk profile.

Analyzing the risk profile of individuals that one plans to engage in business with or bring into a company is one of the most important steps in business intelligence. This process involves collecting information from various sources such as the deep web, dark web, social media, litigation records, and criminal backgrounds. This type of research provides a holistic view of the track record and history of the individuals and companies involved with the deal. It is important to note that simply doing straightforward background checks or relying on gut feeling is not enough and companies must go deeper to get a better understanding of who they are dealing with. To do this, businesses must use open-source intelligence-based approaches to gather the necessary information. This type of due diligence can help to uncover any potential risks that may arise in the future and can help to establish trust between the parties involved. It can also provide assurance that the parties involved are trustworthy and can help to bring them together to make the deal.

By taking the time to analyze the risk profile of the individuals and companies involved in a business deal, businesses can take proactive steps to protect their investments. This includes taking measures to ensure that the parties involved have adequate legal and financial resources to complete their obligations and that they have a track record of successful business dealings. Additionally, it can also help to identify any potential conflicts of interest that could arise in the future. For example, if a party has a history of being involved in legal disputes, it is important to take the necessary actions to ensure that the deal does not create a conflict of interest. With a thorough risk profile analysis, businesses can make informed decisions about who they decide to work with and ensure that their investments are secure.

Weaving together a full holistic view.

To weave together a full holistic view of the profile of the individuals and companies involved with the deal, Infortal takes an open source, intelligence-based approach to collecting information from various sources. These sources include the deep web, dark web, social media, litigation, and criminal background checks. By utilizing all of these resources, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation and identify any potential risks that could impact the deal. Additionally, it will provide assurance to parties involved in the deal that they can trust who they are doing business with. In the M&A space, this type of due diligence can bring parties closer together and provide an understanding of the true customer base of the company. Finally, you should obtain guidance on how to assess a company’s sanctions exposure and build a plan to mitigate potential risks.

You should also utilize predictive analytics services to help your organization predict stakeholder behavior. This helps companies to make more informed decisions when it comes to product design, pricing, and promotions. Additionally, predictive analytics can help companies identify new opportunities and customer segments that they may have otherwise overlooked. By leveraging the data and insights from such, organizations can gain an edge in the competitive M&A space.

In this blog post, we considered the key components of a successful business intelligence strategy. By gaining access to open-source intelligence, businesses can protect themselves from costly mistakes and ensure that they are complying with all regulations. You must understand the importance of who you are dealing with, the effects of sanctions on businesses, and how to assess a company’s sanctions exposure. You can now build a winning business intelligence strategy that takes all these factors into account. Take control of your risk mitigation and unlock the key to success!

Join us tomorrow where we take up ESG Intelligence.

Check out Chris on the Riskology by Infortal podcast here.

Tags business intelligence, Chris Mason, Infortal

FCPA Compliance Report

FCPA Compliance Report – Candice Tal on Due Diligence: Levels and Evaluation

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Post date May 8, 2023
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Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest running podcast in compliance. Join Tom Fox, the host of FCPA Compliance Report, as he speaks with Candice Tal, founder and CEO of Infortal. Get ready to boost your compliance program in this exciting episode of FCPA Compliance Report. In this episode, Tom and Candice discuss the three levels of due diligence typically used to investigate joint venture partners and senior executives and the significance of conducting thorough due diligence. Level one is for low-risk situations, level two is for moderate-risk situations, and level three is for high-risk situations that require deep dark web searches. The key takeaways are to never skimp out on basic due diligence and to consider level three due diligence for high-risk areas or key executives. Don’t miss out on this informative episode of FCPA Compliance Report hosted by Tom Fox and featuring Candice Tal!