Hoggett Bowers’ Post

Half-term is over and I can't believe we are already in June? 🤯🌻🌞 As I get stuck back into work after the half-term juggle, you can read more about what life is like at Karen Eckstein Limited below ⬇ And if you want to read the full profile about my journey to becoming a IRMCert qualified risk management professional with the Institute of Risk Management you can do so here: https://lnkd.in/ekbcJVAa ❓ What’s a typical day like as an Associate at Karen Eckstein Ltd? ⁉ Is there such a thing as a typical day? Some days I will have my head buried in engagement letters and terms and conditions (I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to these!). I will review these as part of our Risk Insight Report™ service (where we will conduct a high-level risk assessment of 10 key areas of risk within a business, with prioritised recommendations if we discover any vulnerabilities) and also our Close the Circle® service where we work with businesses on their engagement letters and supporting policies and processes. Many firms view engagement letters as a tick-box exercise – and I shudder to think how old some of the ones I review are! – but they are such a key tool in minimising risk. I also spend a lot of time educating on risk – through providing training to firms, our monthly RiskBites® sessions (which are free and open to all), or by drafting articles. All help promote awareness of the key areas of risk and encourage firms to view risk in a practical way that can help their businesses if they approach it proactively. As a small business, we also manage our own risk and ensure we live our values, so I also spend time drafting and improving our policies and processes. I’m always tweaking and finding something we can do better!   ❓ What do you enjoy most about your job? How varied it is. Every client is different and there’s always a new angle, risk, or opportunity to explore. Unlike litigation, where your instructions cease after the claim has been resolved, we often develop ongoing relationships with our clients and act on a general retainer, so we can advise on risk issues as and when they arise and provide internal training. Watching clients improve their risk maturity and seeing the difference our advice makes to their business is hugely rewarding. #risk #riskmanagement #traininganddevelopment

Big news for Alli Connect: we have received the endorsement from the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA). As the Founder and CEO of Alli Connect, and a licensed therapist specializing in first responder care, this endorsement is not just recognition of our efforts, but validation of the impact Alli Connect has for the departments we work with. Alli Connect is committed to revolutionizing mental health for first responders. We're not just technology; we're spearheading a paradigm shift in first responder mental health and wellness towards proactive, data-driven approach. The endorsement from IRMA is clear validation of our innovative approach and dedication to making a substantial difference in the lives of those who serve our communities. For more details on this development, check out our latest press release... #firstresponderwellness #police #firefighters #ems #mentalhealth

My first-ever consultancy role, in January 2021, was to investigate the governance and risk management practices within an organisation impacted by the #PostOfficeScandal. The repercussions of the failure of governance in the boardrooms and the culture of subterfuge amongst senior executives at the Post Office were felt throughout the UK, impacting sectors and communities alike. I have always advocated for the continuous evolution of good governance, risk management and assurance but this experience strengthened my passion in this area to help organisations and their boards to #dotherightthing. As a governance professional I have observed, amongst many organisations, that there is a strong respect for the office of the Board member and their expertise. Whilst right and proper - this is not enough. Board members need to have and be seen to have strong conscious and ethical leadership and to actively foster a culture of transparency and accountability. Boards also need the support of good internal controls, formal lines of reporting of emerging material risks, a culture of meaningful transparency across the organisation, strong ethical leadership and timely assurance that risks are being addressed in the most appropriate way. A clear and defined governance framework and risk management process assists with determining 'red flags' and aids in better decision making, improving efficiency and risk management, contributing to greater assurance for stakeholders. One piece of advice I have for boards with is: Focus. Boards should focus on identifying the right sources of assurance and check the controls - asking the "what if" questions and "check yourselves", constantly and consistently, in relation to your individual and collective ethical and value-based compass. Seeking assurance from the Executive through consideration of triggers with confirmation of direction of travel and flight paths for risks arising is also helpful. Clear methodology for recognising, measuring, and escalating risk, particularly in recognising missed opportunities or triggers, can help to ensure that leaders are not kept up at night worrying about the next scandal that might impact their organisations and the people whom they serve. #governance #boardassuranceframework #governanceframework #riskmanagement #assurance #culture #whatif? #triggers #internalcontrols Dr. Inez Brown (Hon. Causa) Kate Goodall Central Consultancy & Training Karl George Simon Osborne Prof Dr Alexander Van de Putte, PhD, FCG CDir FIoD, NACD Fellow, CertESG Mark Smith Charmaine Burton Clive Stone Tom Proverbs-Garbett Keith Shayaam-Smith Donald Sadler Lara Oyedele Marcia Lewinson

Have you ever asked the question: “Nothing’s changed in my business – why do I need a new risk assessment?” You’re not alone; it’s one of the most common queries our Bison expert hear, and while it’s understandable, it’s a really easy one to answer... For starters, it’s a legal requirement to keep your assessments up to date, and it’s the best way to keep your staff and customers safe. Our new Bison Assist Ltd blog reveals how the TINY changes you might never notice can add up to BIG changes to the risks in your business. Check it out now and stay safe! https://lnkd.in/eSdT8CSa #riskassessment #experts #riskexperts #BisonAssist #firerisk #legionella #disabilityaccess #CQC #healthandsafety #compliance #tips #guidance #blog #risktraining 

Crafting a winning proposal involves more than just showcasing your strengths. It's about effectively managing risk to instill confidence in your clients. #RiskManagement #ProfessionalLiability

Look what we have done…. 🥳 H&S and Specialist Support teams working collaboratively! Our ultimate aim and driving force is to reduce and mitigate risk whilst at the same time improving the quality of life for the people we support and all our teams. That said, without the whole of Lifeways working together as one team, none of this would be possible. Let’s see what else we can achieve 👌 #proudtosupport

Reflective Thoughts: STOP BEING RISK AVERSE IN RISK ASSESSMENTS. That’s not what they’re for. 🚨❌ Spent a lot of time lately leading on the care planning of someone new moving into one of our residential services and it’s led to reflect on how easy it is to ‘slip into’ writing risk averse care plans, without being conscious of it. The fact of the matter is that these documents shape the care a person is provided and you can never understate the power of that. ➡️ I’ve been writing new risk assessments for various people, using information already known, previous risk assessments and the thoughts of those who know those people well. What struck me is how people can be denied such great opportunities because of something that ‘might’ happen, even if there’s no evidence of it happening before! 💭Risk assessments should manage and minimise risk through person-centred support, knowing the person and maybe even a bit of common sense, rather than restricting a person’s movement or access to ‘eradicate risk’. The end result in this case will only lead to diminished quality of life and a person losing out on experience. ✅ Of course, there’s a balance between positive risk taking and safety, but it should be on us as professionals to keep people safe, but also provide them with great experiences. #pbs #socialcare #riskassessments #LD #learningdisability #qualityoflife

Have you heard about the Ontario Risk Network? Below you’ll see a fantastic picture of individuals from the Network, they all were on hand for the 2024 HIROC AGM & Conference this past April (we were delighted to see you all!!) We talked to HIROC’s Nataly Farshait, Director, Healthcare Safety & Risk Management, to spotlight this work. What is the Ontario Risk Network? The Ontario Risk Management Networking Group is a grassroots networking group for risk managers to come together to improve healthcare risk management in Ontario. HIROC is proud to support the Network as we see great value in the community having a safe space to share their experiences, exchange knowledge and learn from each other’s successes. During biweekly virtual meetings, members share their expertise, opinions, standard practices, policies, and lived experiences. There are 130 members from 54 healthcare organizations from across Ontario. The Network is currently managed by Bronwen Edgar (Collingwood General and Marine Hospital) and Kelsi Rousseau (William Osler Health System). What are the benefits of the Network? There are too many benefits to mention, however a few that come to mind include the fact that when individuals have dedicated time to meet with peers from different healthcare facilities, it allows them to meet others who work in healthcare, but in different areas of the province who they may not normally connect with. It also fosters positive networking opportunities, allowing for individuals to build a strong professional network, as well as having the opportunity to seek advice and collaborate on projects. Often, risk managers face similar challenges in their respective organizations. By coming together, they can collaborate on finding innovative solutions to common issues, leveraging collective expertise and resources. Grassroots meetings provide a forum for discussing regulatory requirements, industry standards, and leading practices. Through collaboration, risk managers can work towards developing or refining standards that benefit all healthcare facilities. With the support of HIROC, the networking meetings are a key mechanism for regular educational sessions that support professional development on hot topics in risk management. How does one join the Network? Risk management experts interested in joining are encouraged to email the Ontario Risk Network at ontariorisknetwork@hiroc.com. Members must be approved prior to joining. It was amazing to see so many of the Ontario Risk Network members in person at HIROC’s Annual Conference! We hope to see an even bigger group next year! #riskmanagement #leadership #patientsafety #knowledgesharing

Why I hate #Risk I have the risk of gaining a couple of haters with this title, so let´s start quick: I attend, in a monthlyish basis, a meeting with a group of brilliant friends to talk about a topic we define. Typically, we chose the topic and dissect it in a couple of hours over the dinner, sharing our views and learning from each other. The latest proposed topic was “Risk”. I thought hardly about going, but at the end I decided to go. In any case, “I’m going to say hello to my friends, have a good dinner, a great wine and for sure, I will learn something”. When my turn arrived in the round table, I shared with the group: “You know, perhaps I´m going to be a little bit controversial, but I really hate this word, with all my soul. It is not something I like to think or talk about.” I illustrated the point using a podcast where Oso Trava interviews Manuel Arango. In such podcast, Manuel describes that he and his brothers asked to a specialized retail consulting firm about an idea they had around an innovative business model for a supermarket. The experts told them after a deep analysis that the idea was too risky and that they foresee it will not succeed. Despite the recommendations from the experts, Manuel and his brothers decided to give it a go. Their idea for the novel supermarket model was an exponential overnight success in the real life! Armando (one member of the group) told me that perhaps I hate risk because I am afraid of the possible consequences. That commentary sparked a neuron connection in my brain (or it was the wine, I don´t know for sure…). But after a little thought, I told Armando: “It is a great observation and you made me think. I believe I am afraid of #thinking about the possible consequences, not the consequences themselves”. And that is the reason why I hate risk: it kills the passion that I have for a new idea, project, or life change too early in the process. I´m not implying that we should ignore risk management. We do that every single day and it´s embedded in our decision-making process as humans. The thing is that I don’t feel wired to do that, it is not something I adore, AND, it should be done but somebody who is good at doing that. We must listen to their advice and decide. You can do what Manuel Arango did (ignore the advice and do it anyways), manage the risks to mitigate them or do nothing. It is your choice.

A little while ago I posted a photo and said I would tell you more about it later. The picture speaks for itself - Health and Safety Secure has been awarded and recognised as Risk Management specialist of the year. There is maybe a video interview that I may post up online once I get my hands on it. but in the meantime - what are your thoughts about companies getting awards - is there value in it? does it potentially generate more business? Does it get a you a free drink after work from your mates to congratulate you? Id be interested to see some comments on this subject. #healthandsafety #awards #riskmanagement #HSSecure