Tag: Ronnie Feldman

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Pattern Disruption in Compliance Training

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.

In this episode of Creativity and Compliance, hosts Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman discuss the concept of pattern disruption in compliance.

Tom and Ronnie explore how pattern disruption can grab attention, break typical habits, and engage employees in compliance training and communication. They emphasize the importance of consistency of messaging but variety in delivery mechanisms to keep employees engaged. They provide examples of pattern disruption techniques, such as changing the name of the compliance department, using fun questions at the beginning of training, and incorporating creative devices like songs, jingles, and fake commercials. The episode concludes with the importance of standing out and making an emotional connection to enhance engagement and recall.

Key Highlights:

  • Pattern disruption grabs attention and breaks typical habits
  • Variety in delivery mechanisms is necessary to keep employees engaged
  • Examples of Pattern Disruption Techniques
  • Standing Out and Making an Emotional Connection

 Resources:

Ronnie

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For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Blog

The Intersection of Creativity and Compliance: Lessons from Improv

In the most recent episode of the Creativity and Compliance podcast, Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman delved into the fascinating intersection of improvisation and compliance with our special guest, Marla Caceres, an expert in applied improvisation. We explored how the skills and philosophies of improv can significantly enhance communication and leadership within the ethics and compliance community.

Marla introduced improvisation as the theatrical art of making it up on the spot. While it may seem spontaneous, successful improvisation relies heavily on technique, training, and practice. Like a basketball team practices fundamentals to be ready for any game, improvisers hone their skills to perform seamlessly as a team. This ensemble-based approach fosters a collaborative environment where each member supports the other, creating a space where innovation and quick thinking thrive.

Improvisation is not confined to the theater; its principles apply to various business practices, particularly in ethics and compliance. Marla explains that many students are drawn to improv not to pursue comedy but to improve their communication and leadership skills. Improv teaches others-focused communication, essential for building effective teams and fostering a positive organizational culture.

Communication that is others-focused is at the heart of improvisation. This concept involves shifting your focus from your agenda to genuinely listening and responding to others. In an improv scene, success depends on fully accepting and building on your partner’s input. This active listening and validation level creates a supportive environment where creativity and collaboration flourish. Marla highlighted that this approach can transform everyday interactions, making them more productive and meaningful. It also plays directly into the skills needed by a compliance professional.

Psychological safety is paramount for ethics and compliance professionals. Psychological safety refers to an environment where individuals feel safe speaking up without fear of retribution. Improv provides a low-stakes, fun way to practice the skills necessary to foster this environment. By focusing on deep listening and the “Yes” principle, compliance professionals can build trust and encourage open communication.

The “Yes, and” principle is fundamental in improv. It involves accepting your partner’s idea (Yes) and building on it (and). This technique fosters creativity and promotes a nonjudgmental and inclusive atmosphere. For compliance professionals, applying “Yes and” can shift their perception of their role from rule enforcers to supportive advisors. This change in approach can make employees more willing to engage with compliance, seeing it as a collaborative effort rather than a hindrance.

Marla and Ronnie discussed several practical techniques derived from improv that can benefit compliance professionals. One such exercise is the “Should vs. Could” activity. Participants pair up and share a problem, with one offering advice using “You should” statements and then “You could” statements. The difference in reception is profound, with “You could” fostering a more collaborative and empowering dialogue. This simple shift in language can significantly impact how compliance professionals communicate, making their advice feel more supportive and less authoritative.

Improvisation also teaches the importance of building trust and reducing fear in communication. By practicing techniques emphasizing validation and support, compliance professionals can create an environment where employees feel safe to raise concerns and seek guidance. This trust is crucial for effective compliance, as it encourages proactive problem-solving and early reporting of potential issues.

The principles of improv can be applied in various settings within the compliance field. For instance, compliance training sessions can incorporate improv exercises to make learning more engaging and memorable. Additionally, compliance professionals can use these techniques in their day-to-day interactions to build stronger relationships with employees and leadership.

Marla emphasized that organizational culture and communication nuances trickle down from the top. Leaders play a critical role in modeling the behavior and communication styles they want to see throughout the organization. By incorporating improv techniques, leaders can demonstrate openness, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving, setting a positive example for their teams.

Improvisation offers a unique and practical approach to enhancing communication and leadership within the ethics and compliance community. By practicing others-focused communication, fostering psychological safety, and embracing the “Yes, and” principle, compliance professionals can transform their interactions and build a more supportive and proactive organizational culture. If you want to explore how improv can benefit your compliance efforts, consider incorporating these techniques into your training and daily practices. As Marla and Ronnie have shown, a little creativity can go a long way in making compliance a collaborative and engaging endeavor.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Marla Caceres on Enhancing Ethics and Compliance Communications Through Improv

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. In this episode of Creativity and Compliance, hosts Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman are joined by special guest Marla Caceres, a seasoned improvisation facilitator, to explore the intersection of improvisation and the ethics compliance community.

Marla and Ronnie discuss the rich history of Chicago’s improv scene and its influence on communication skills, leadership, and psychological safety. They delve into practical techniques like ‘Yes, And’ and ‘Other-focused Communication’ that can help compliance professionals foster a supportive, trust-based environment. The conversation also covers how improv training can benefit organizational leaders, ethics ambassadors, and employees through low-stakes, fun exercises designed to build deep listening and collaborative skills. With a focus on creating environments where people feel safe to communicate openly, this episode offers valuable insights into using improv to enhance compliance and leadership within organizations.

Key Highlights:

  • The Chicago Improv Connection
  • Understanding Improvisation
  • Applied Improvisation in Business
  • Others-Focused Communication
  • Improv Techniques for Compliance
  • Psychological Safety and Deep Listening

Resources:

Ronnie

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For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Using Ethics Ambassadors

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 applies them 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 consider the use of Ethics Ambassadors in compliance programs. Influence in compliance plays a pivotal role in cultivating an organization’s ethical culture and is being increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect of compliance programs.

Tom sees this influence proliferating using Ethics Ambassadors within an organization. In his view, these individuals, armed with additional training and resources, can effectively disseminate the message of compliance, thereby enhancing both the compliance function and overall understanding within the organization.

Similarly, Ronnie, a proponent of creative compliance training, stresses the significance of these compliance champions in enhancing influence within a company. Feldman suggests employing engaging and entertaining means, such as videos or interactive sessions, to communicate compliance messages, thereby increasing employee engagement and the overall impact of the compliance efforts. Through their experiences and perspectives, both Fox and Feldman highlight the potential of leveraging influence to foster a more ethical and compliant organizational culture.

 

Key Highlights:

  • Compliance Leader through International Employee Engagement
  • Ethical Ambassadors Enhancing Compliance Engagement
  • Safety Training Cascading from CEO Level
  • Ethical Influence: Empowering Employees for Compliance

Resources:

Ronnie

  • Learnings & Entertainments (Website)
  • Compliance Confessions – inspired by “Mean Tweets” these 90-second commercials address misconceptions and excuses to promote speak up culture and the E&C team as positive and helpful.
  • E&C Training Jams – a soulful singer banters with ethics & compliance explaining policies, sharing examples and debunking excuses. 
  • Tales from the Hotline – Real speak up-themed stories about workplace behavior gone wrong.
  • Workplace Tonight Show! – E&C meets SNL Weekend Update explaining corporate risk topics and why employees should care.
  • 60-Second Communication & Awareness Shorts – A variety of short, customizable, music and multimedia, quick-hitter “commercials” promoting integrity, compliance, speaking up and the E&C team as helpful advisors and coaches.
  • Custom Live & Digital Programing – Custom creative programming that balances the seriousness of the subject matter with a more engaging delivery. After all, you can’t bore people into learning.

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For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Reels and Shorts

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 applies 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 consider how Reels and Shorts can be used by compliance for great engagement and compliance communications.

In today’s digital era, the concept of utilizing social channels for communication is gaining significant momentum. Fox, a strong advocate for the use of social channels, believes in integrating elements of pop culture and millennial trends into corporate communication efforts to ensure the message is not only informative but also entertaining. Such strategies can enhance visibility, influence, and the overall effectiveness of compliance programs.

Similarly, Ronnie emphasizes the need to adapt to modern communication trends, such as the use of short, engaging videos akin to those found on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Incorporating fun and interesting videos into communication strategies can help break down barriers, increase engagement, and ultimately improve the effectiveness of compliance training and messaging.

Both these experts highlight the importance of simplifying messages, adding entertainment value, and distributing content in various places to increase visibility and influence within the organization.

Key Highlights:

  • Engaging Short Videos for Corporate Communication Strategy
  • Engaging Corporate Communications Through Multimedia Tactics
  • Engaging Compliance Programs for Organizational Influence

Resources:

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For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Global Engagement Strategies

Where does creativity fit into compliance? In more places than you think. Problem-solving, accountability, communication, and connection all require 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 applies 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 consider global engagement strategies for a multi-national corporation.

Global engagement strategies encompass a broad and evolving discipline that requires innovative and adaptive mechanisms to effectively connect with a diverse, multinational workforce. Tom highlights the limitations of a “one size fits all” approach and the importance of incorporating engaging elements such as humor and entertainment in global engagement strategies. His perspective is shaped by the belief that it is more effective to tailor content to specific audiences, thus cultivating a library of diverse and engaging content.

Ronnie emphasizes the significance of employing a variety of creative and entertaining approaches, including humor, animation, music, and interactive elements. His experiences underline the notion that traditional methods may not always be the most effective and that leveraging different tools, even if it involves taking risks, can lead to a greater understanding and engagement in a global context.

Key Highlights:

  • Creative Engagement Techniques for Global Workforce
  •  Global Resonance: Music in Communication Strategies
  • AI-Enabled Multilingual Content Transformation
  • AI Subtitling: Cost-Efficient Global Content Localization

Resources:

Ronnie

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For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Innovative Leader Engagement through Creative Communication

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 applies them 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 consider the role of leadership in fostering a culture of compliance.

The pivotal role of leadership engagement in fostering a culture of compliance within an organization cannot be overstated. In this context, thought leaders like Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman provide insightful perspectives on the importance of involving and engaging leadership in promoting ethical compliance.

Fox emphasizes the necessity of personalizing leaders to their employees through open communication, thereby improving corporate culture. He suggests that leaders should share their personal experiences, including ethical dilemmas and decisions they have made in the interest of ethics.

Feldman brings attention to the importance of leaders actively participating in compliance efforts, especially in large multinational companies. He stresses the need for leaders to be personable and relatable and for integrating ethical leadership training into existing leadership programs.

Both Fox and Feldman underscore the need for authentic, engaging, and impactful communication strategies to effectively drive the message of compliance and ethical behavior amongst leaders.

Key Highlights:

  • Ethical Message Engagement for Leadership Success
  • Innovative Leader Engagement through Creative Communication
  • Entertaining Brand-Driven Zoom Talk Shows

Resources:

Ronnie

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For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance: Commercials for Compliance 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 people use to consume information in their everyday, non-work lives and applies them 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 consider how TV ads and commercials can be used as a basis for engaging in compliance communications.

Commercials for Compliance is an innovative approach to using engaging clips to convey important messages about behavior within organizations. Ronnie Feldman is a proponent of the idea and thinks that commercials can make compliance training enjoyable, memorable, and easy to understand. Tom emphasizes the importance of fostering an engaging and memorable user experience that fits seamlessly into an organization’s culture.

Ronnie points to the effectiveness of commercials in delivering short, entertaining, and positive messages that resonate with employees and are more likely to be remembered. With the perspective that commercials can be used across various platforms, Fox and Feldman encourage organizations to embrace this unique approach to improve visibility, engagement, and understanding of compliance topics.

Key Highlights:

  • Entertaining Compliance Messages through Short Clips
  • Embedding Ethical Principles in Business Culture
  • Interactive Compliance Messaging for Employee Engagement
  • Engaging Compliance Promotion through Creative Methods

Resources:

Ronnie

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Click here for more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance.

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Creativity and Compliance

Creativity and Compliance – Compliance Training: Completion Rates vs 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 applies them 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 rant about the fallacy of compliance training completion rates.

The importance of engagement over completion rates in compliance training programs is a topic that has been gaining traction in recent times. The traditional focus on completion rates is being challenged, with experts advocating for a shift towards more engaging and interactive training methods. Tom Fox, a seasoned compliance professional, argues that completion rates are not as important as many organizations perceive them to be. He believes that a singular focus on completion rates can lead to lackluster programs, and instead, engagement should be prioritized. Similarly, Ronnie Feldman, an expert in education and communication strategies, emphasizes that while completion rates have a role, they should not be the primary measure of success. Feldman advocates for a greater focus on engagement, arguing that without it, individuals are not truly learning or benefiting from the training.

Both Fox and Feldman’s perspectives are shaped by their extensive experience in the field, leading them to suggest that organizations should minimize the importance of completion rates and instead invest in initiatives that drive meaningful engagement.

 

Key Highlights:

  • Engaging Training for Effective Compliance Education
  • Interactive Training for Effective Compliance Programs
  • Engaging Micro Learning for Compliance Programs
  • Engaging Compliance Training with Fun Activities

Resources:

Ronnie

  • Learnings & Entertainments (Website)
  • Compliance Confessions – inspired by “Mean Tweets,” these 90-second commercials address misconceptions and excuses to promote the speak-up culture and the E&C team as positive and helpful.
  • E&C Training Jams – a soulful singer who banters with ethics & compliance, explaining policies, sharing examples, and debunking excuses. 
  • Tales from the Hotline – Real speak up-themed stories about workplace behavior gone wrong.
  • Workplace Tonight Show! – E&C meets SNL Weekend Update, explaining corporate risk topics and why employees should care.
  • 60-Second Communication & Awareness Shorts – A variety of short, customizable, music and multimedia, quick-hitter “commercials” promoting integrity, compliance, speaking up, and the E&C team as helpful advisors and coaches.
  • Custom Live & Digital Programing – Custom creative programming that balances the seriousness of the subject matter with a more engaging delivery. After all, you can’t bore people into learning.

Tom

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

For more information on the Ethico ROI Calculator and a free White Paper on the ROI of Compliance, click here.

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Blog

Positivity in Compliance: Fostering a Culture of Collaboration

Maintaining a positive attitude in compliance programs is crucial for effective interactions and perceptions within the field. In a recent episode of ‘Creativity and Compliance‘ co-hosted by Tom Fox and Ronnie Feldman, the importance of positivity in compliance was discussed in depth. The episode highlighted how focusing on positivity can transform the image of compliance professionals from being seen as restrictive to being viewed as business enablers who collaborate with other departments to achieve ethical business goals.

One key aspect emphasized in the episode is the role of creativity and humor in enhancing communication, engagement, and behavior change within compliance programs. Compliance professionals can employ positive reinforcement strategies to drive ethical behavior and foster a more engaging environment by incorporating creative elements from everyday activities and infusing humor and positivity.

Leadership’s positivity, particularly from a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), is a significant factor in influencing a compliance function’s overall tone and culture. An optimistic approach from the CCO can set the tone for the entire compliance team, encouraging collaboration and ethical behavior throughout the organization.

Whether you consider the compliance function of Debbie Downer or Dr. No from the Land of No, a corporate compliance function is often characterized by negativity and strict enforcement. It is seen as the Land of Business Non-Development. By shifting towards a more positive and solution-oriented approach, compliance professionals can reframe their role as facilitators of business success while upholding ethical standards. This change in attitude can improve the effectiveness of compliance programs and boost employee morale and engagement.

Quotes from the episode further emphasize the importance of positivity in compliance. “People like being around people that are positive, that are energizing, that are solution-oriented,” highlights the impact of positive interactions on employee engagement and relationships within the organization. Additionally, the quote, “The main evolutionary significance of humor is it gets us from the closed mode to the open mode faster than anything else,” underscores the role of humor in fostering a more open and collaborative environment within compliance programs.

This does not mean a compliance professional must walk around all day with a smile from ear to ear. It means a positive attitude towards working with others in your organization to accomplish goals. It all focuses on fostering relationships. What is your relationship with the business development team members, the finance department, HR, or any other corporate function? One of my favorite strategies is from Russ Berland. Buy pizzas for lunch. Almost everyone loves pizza, so it’s hard to go wrong with pizza for lunch.

Always remember that you want others in the organization to pick up the phone and call you, or if you are back in the office, to stop by and talk to you if they have questions. They are much more likely to do so if there is some personal relationship or connection. Louis Sapirman used to talk about planes, trains, and automobiles. In other words, get out of the corporate headquarters and meet employees where they work. They are, after all, your compliance customers. You might not be able to meet your employees in such a pre-pandemic manner, but the point is still the same; to meet your employee, compliance customer base.

Maintaining a positive attitude toward compliance is essential for building a culture of collaboration, engagement, and ethical behavior. By embracing creativity, humor, and positivity, compliance professionals can enhance communication, drive behavior change, and ultimately contribute to the overall success of compliance programs. Leadership’s positivity, particularly from the CCO, is crucial in setting the tone for the compliance function and fostering a more positive and engaging environment. Organizations can create a more effective and ethical compliance program that resonates with employees and stakeholders by prioritizing positivity in compliance.