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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – Exploring Accountability and Culture in Corporate Leadership

It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The Department of Justice is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple—the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture?

In this episode, Tom welcomes Sam Silverstein and introduces Tara Stone, the Director of Client Success at Sam Silverstein, Inc. Tara shares her entrepreneurial journey, from selling golf balls as a child to running multiple businesses, before transitioning into her current role. She discusses the critical importance of listening, asking powerful questions, and continuous self-development in achieving professional and personal growth. Sam highlights the vital role of workplace culture in organizational success and elaborates on the Fractional Chief Culture Officer program aimed at helping businesses build high-performing, sustainable cultures. Tara also emphasizes the value of investing in oneself and the impact of personal development on all aspects of life. The episode provides invaluable insights for corporate compliance officers and other leaders looking to foster accountability and strong relationships within their organizations.

Key insights:

  • Tara’s Professional Journey
  • Understanding the Accountability Institute
  • The Importance of Culture in Organizations
  • Investing in Personal Growth
  • Leadership and Development

Resources:

Tara Stone on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – Preventing and Fixing a Cultural Disconnect

It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The DOJ is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple: the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture?

In this podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at how companies can elevate their culture to new heights. In this episode, Tom and Sam conclude their 3-part series on the increased importance of compliance after Trump’s Executive Order suspending FCPA enforcement. Part 3 of the crucial aspects of corporate culture and ethics are detailed in the L.R.N. Ethics and Compliance Program Effectiveness Report. We explore why lower-level employees often perceive management as insincere about ethical values, not due to grand crimes like bribery or corruption but because of smaller, more personal issues like unfair treatment and lack of transparency. Sam emphasizes that even minor inconsistencies can erode trust, leading to a lack of safety and increased employee suspicion. They detail practical steps for middle and senior management to enhance their communication and engagement skills, with an overarching message that culture must be diligently maintained to build a high-performance organization. 

Key insights:

  • Ensuring Fairness and Consistency in the Workplace
  • Strategies for Enhancing Corporate Culture
  • The Importance of Continuous Cultural Improvement
  • Developing Middle Management Communication Skills
  • Engaging Senior Leadership in Cultural Conversations

Resources:

Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – Listening Up to Build a Speak Up Culture

It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The Department of Justice is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple—the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture?

In this podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at ways companies can elevate their culture to new heights. In this episode, Tom and Sam continue their three-part series on the increased importance of compliance after Trump’s Executive Order suspending FCPA enforcement. In part 2, we discuss the importance of speaking up and listening up for corporate culture.

Key insights:

  • Proactive Listening Strategies for Leaders
  • The Importance of a Listening Strategy
  • The Disconnect in Perception of Company Culture
  • The Impact of Communication on Culture
  • Addressing the Disconnect with Data
  • The Importance of Perspective Seeking

 Resources:

 Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

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Facebook

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Twitter

LinkedIn

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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – The Increased Importance of Corporate Culture During FCPA Suspension

It is always interesting when the regulators catch up to the business world. That is what has happened around corporate culture. The Department of Justice is now assessing corporate culture for any company under investigation. Yet, more than simply complying with this mandate, companies should strive to foster the best culture that they can achieve. The reason is deceptively simple- the better the culture, the better the company. However, many business executives and even compliance professionals do not know how to craft a culture that allows your employees and your organization to implement such strategies. How can you unlock the power of a thriving workplace culture?

In this podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at how companies can elevate their culture to new heights. In this episode, Tom and Sam begin a three-part series on the increased importance of compliance after Trump’s Executive Order suspending FCPA enforcement.

Key insights:

  • Impact of Trump’s FCPA Suspension
  • Importance of Corporate Culture
  • Culture Audit and Employee Attraction
  • Workplace Culture and Innovation
  • Speak Up vs. Listen Up Culture

Resources:

Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

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Facebook

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Innovation in Compliance

Innovation in Compliance – Sam Silverstein on the Fractional Chief Culture Officer

Innovation comes in many areas, and compliance professionals need to be ready for it and embrace it. Join Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, as he visits with top innovative minds, thinkers, and creators in the award-winning Innovation in Compliance podcast. In this episode, host Tom Fox is joined by Sam Silverstein from the Accountability Institute to discuss his new service offering, the Fractional Chief Culture Officer.

Sam elaborates on the essential role of a Chief Culture Officer who collaborates with the CEO to establish a culture by design rather than by default. This service allows organizations of all sizes, from those with 24,000 employees to those with just 26, to benefit from their extensive expertise in developing and maintaining a high-performance culture. Sam emphasizes the importance of leadership in driving culture and shares how a fractional chief culture officer can provide the necessary support and tools to ensure that the organization’s values and culture are consistently upheld across all levels. The episode delves into the practical aspects of working with different sizes of organizations, the importance of continuous cultural assessment, and the role of leadership in fostering a sustainable, high-performance culture.

Key highlights:

  • Introducing the Fractional Chief Culture Officer
  • Defining the Role and Importance of a Chief Culture Officer
  • The Continuous Nature of Culture Management
  • Tailoring Services to Client Needs

Resources:

The Accountability Institute

Sam Silverstein

Tom Fox

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FCPA Compliance Report

FCPA Compliance Report – The 2024 ECCP on Data-Driven Culture and Engagement

Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this edition, Tom Fox visits with Sam Silverstein on how compliance professionals should view the new DOJ mandate on using data to assess, manage, and improve corporate culture through data-driven compliance. The Culture Audit sponsors this podcast.

In this comprehensive discussion, Tom Fox and Sam Silverstein delve into the 2024 Update to the Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (ECCP) by the DOJ. Released in September, this latest update emphasizes the importance of data analytics, culture, engagement, and trust in compliance programs. With a detailed breakdown of over 250 questions posed by the ECCP, Tom and Sam provide valuable insights on how companies can benchmark their compliance programs and prepare for potential investigations. They highlight the role of a culture audit in addressing the DOJ’s requirements, offering a detailed look into how organizations can measure and improve their compliance culture. This webinar educates compliance professionals on the latest DOJ expectations and provides practical tools and methodologies to enhance corporate compliance efforts.

Highlights in this episode:

  • Importance of Culture and Data Analytics
  • Leveraging Data for Compliance
  • Measuring and Improving Culture
  • Data-Driven Culture of Compliance
  • Understanding and Utilizing Culture Audit Data
  • Forward Steps for a Stronger Culture

Resources:

Culture Audit

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Sam Silverstein and the Accountability Institute

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn 

Tom Fox

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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 5 – Ongoing Monitoring and Continuous Improvement of Culture

Boeing is not the first company to find itself amid a massive scandal. You can think of Siemens’ bribery and corruption scandal, the VW emissions-testing scandal, the Wells Fargo fraudulent accounts scandal, or any other myriad of corporate scandals where culture failed and created a toxic culture. The question for any organization in such a situation is how to transform its culture.

In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. In this concluding Part 5, we explore the dynamism of culture and why ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement are so critical for a true culture transformation.

Leaders must set a clear vision for a positive culture, emphasizing values such as excellence, safety, and community involvement, and stress the importance of proactive actions to foster a culture of excellence. However, even after assessing a culture, the culture transformation strategy, and the plan’s implementation, the culture transformation must be nurtured through ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement. Leaders must make culture a primary objective, consistently demonstrating core values while advocating for continuous culture monitoring and improvement. Both agree that cultivating a solid culture improves the organization’s bottom line, enhances the quality of products, and contributes to the betterment of communities.

Key Highlights:

  • Continuous Monitoring of Organizational Culture
  • Driving Cultural Change in Mergers Successfully
  • Culture is Dynamic

Resources:

Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

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Facebook

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LinkedIn

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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 4 – Design and Implementation of a Culture Transformation Strategy

Boeing has recently seen one of the most public meltdowns over corporate culture. In 2024 alone, there have been multiple incidents, allegations, and reports about the company in the public arena. The company is under investigation by numerous governmental agencies. Several news organizations have reported a ‘toxic’ culture at the company, and there are ripples throughout the worldwide aviation industry. In such a situation, the question for any organization is how it thinks about turning around its culture. In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. In Part 4, we consider using the results from The Culture Audit™ to design and implement the transformation strategy.

The pivotal role of leadership in constructing and maintaining organizational culture is an intriguing and vital topic. Tom Fox, a strong advocate of taking action to communicate values within an organization, asserts that leaders who genuinely care about their employees and demonstrate this through their actions inspire loyalty and dedication, thereby creating a solid foundation for a positive workplace culture. Similarly, Sam Silverstein emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering a culture that values consistency, trust, and mutual respect. Silverstein posits that leaders who show they are there for their team members in times of need and consistently support them create a positive workplace culture where employees are willing to go the extra mile. Both experts stress that actions speak louder than words and that authentic leadership involves embodying the values of honesty, integrity, and care for others.

Key Highlights:

  • Values-Driven Assessment of Organizational Culture
  • Upholding Values Through Decisive Organizational Actions
  • Cultivating Organizational Culture through Intentional Leadership

Resources:

 Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

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Culture Crafters

Culture Crafters – Turning Around a Toxic Culture: Part 3 – Assessing Culture

Boeing has recently seen one of the most public meltdowns over corporate culture. In 2024 alone, there have been multiple incidents, allegations, and reports about the company in the public arena. The company is under investigation by numerous governmental agencies. Several news organizations have reported a ‘toxic’ culture at the company, and there are ripples throughout the worldwide aviation industry. In such a situation, the question for any organization is how it thinks about turning around its culture. In this special five-part podcast series, Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability, and Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, look at the ways a company in the depths of such a situation can plan out and take concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. Part 3 is assessing your culture to develop a transformation strategy through The Culture Audit™.

The Culture Audit™ is a powerful tool for assessing an organization’s culture, providing a comprehensive analysis of its values, employee engagement, and accountability. It serves as a diagnostic tool, pinpointing strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Think of it as a health check-up for your organization, revealing insights into aspects of your workplace culture that may not be immediately apparent. The value of cultural assessments extends beyond regulatory compliance; they empower leaders to foster an environment where ethical decisions are second nature.

Silverstein emphasizes the essence of an action plan based on audit results to bring about desired improvements. Both Fox and Silverstein agree on the value of an external perspective in auditing and enhancing organizational culture. From The Culture Audit™, you can move to strategy design and implementation.

Key Highlights:

  • Culture Evaluation Through Comprehensive Cultural Audit
  • Truthful Insights through Anonymous Culture Assessment
  • Using Data to Design a Culture Transformation Strategy

Resources:

 Sam Silverstein

Sam Silverstein on LinkedIn

Sam Silverstein

The Culture Audit™

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

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Blog

Transforming Culture: Part 3 – Assessing Change Through the Culture Audit™

Boeing is not the first company to find itself amid a massive scandal. You can think of Siemens’ bribery and corruption scandal, the VW emissions-testing scandal, the Wells Fargo fraudulent accounts scandal, or any other myriad of corporate scandals where culture failed and created a toxic culture. The question for any organization in such a situation is how to transform its culture. Currently running on the Culture Crafters podcast on the Compliance Podcast Network is a 5–part of podcast series with myself and Sam Silverstein, the most trusted voice in America on accountability. (The Culture Audit™ is the sponsor of this blog post series.)

Over this companion, 5-part blog post series, we look at how a company in the depths of such a toxic culture can begin to make a culture comeback by planning and taking concrete steps to turn around and rebuild its culture. In Part 3, we consider assessing change through The Culture Audit™ as a starting point for culture transformation.

The Culture Audit™ plays a pivotal role in culture transformation. It serves as a structured framework for assessing key cultural aspects, providing a comprehensive analysis of strengths and areas needing improvement. By leveraging this assessment tool, organizations can gain valuable insights into their cultural landscape, paving the way for informed decision-making and targeted interventions to drive positive change. The Culture Audit™ is not just about knowing the existing culture, but about providing actionable insights and an action plan for organizations to implement changes and enhance their culture effectively. Its true transformative potential lies in its ability to catalyze meaningful cultural shifts by pinpointing areas of alignment and discord within an organization.

The Culture Audit™ provides organizations with a clear roadmap for culture transformation. The emphasis on anonymity within the audit process lets employees express their perceptions candidly, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. By providing a platform where individuals can share their feedback without fear of retribution, organizations can obtain honest and valuable insights to understand the actual state of their culture.

The Culture Audit™ stands out from traditional assessment strategies due to its unique features. It offers ease, speed, accuracy, and anonymity, making it a cost-effective and efficient tool for organizations striving to enhance their culture. Its ability to support multiple languages ensures accurate and in-depth insights from diverse workforce populations, further setting it apart from other tools.

The Culture Audit™ measures various aspects of a company’s culture, including compliance practices, hiring processes, and employee engagement. It generates a comprehensive report highlighting gaps and providing actionable improvement steps. The tool mainly benefits global organizations as it supports international language communication.

One key feature of The Culture Audit™ is its emphasis on auditability and transparency. In the event of a regulator’s inquiry, the tool provides a detailed report that can be shared to demonstrate the company’s commitment to assessing and improving its culture. The Culture Audit™ goes beyond basic measures of engagement and assesses accountability and decision-making processes, providing a comprehensive view of an organization’s culture. The raw data collected during The Culture Audit™ is also retained for future reference, allowing organizations to track their progress over time.

The Culture Audit™ brings significant benefits to organizations. It not only identifies areas for improvement but also provides actionable insights. The audit report includes a detailed action plan that guides organizations on specific areas to focus on and steps to take for improvement. As Silverstein emphasized, by continuously reinforcing positive aspects of their culture, organizations can prevent a decline over time. This continuous improvement approach is crucial for all companies, whether they are underperforming or reinforcing what they are already good at.

In conclusion, The Culture Audit™ provides organizations with a powerful tool to assess and improve their corporate culture. By measuring various aspects of culture, providing actionable insights, and emphasizing auditability and transparency, The Culture Audit™ helps organizations create a positive and productive workplace environment. With regulators’ increasing focus on corporate culture, The Culture Audit™ can also help companies demonstrate their commitment to ethical behavior and compliance. By utilizing this tool, organizations can drive better leadership, improve employee engagement, and ultimately enhance their bottom line.