Raimund Laqua, PMP, P.Eng.’s Post

🔸 Why You Need A Better Approach to Compliance 🔸 When organizations endeavour to achieve compliance many take a by-the-element approach. This comes from years of prescriptive regulations and a focus on implementing "shall statements" in order to pass certifications and audits. When the focus is on meeting "shall statements" rather than advancing compliance outcomes we find these familiar steps: 1. Understand the elements of the regulation or standard. 2. Map existing practices to the elements. 3. Identify where current practices do not meet the standard. 4. Engage these deficiencies in a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. 5. Target these deficiencies for compliance with the standard. This approach is not without limitations, notably that it often fails to deliver operational systems fast enough or at all. Organizations usually run out time, money, and motivation to move beyond the parts of a system to implementing the interactions that are essential for a system is to be considered operational. For compliance to be effective in today’s landscape another strategy is needed that: - Achieves operational status sooner, - Creates and advances benefits over time, - Provides a platform to build-measure-learn with the least cost We know from systems theory that systems are never the sum of its parts but rather the product of its interactions. It is these interactions that cause emergent properties to be created. For compliance systems these are the outcomes we are targeting: zero incidents, zero violations, zero fatalities, zero emissions, and so on. Lean Compliance's approach emphasizes system interactions to achieve operational status sooner than traditional by-the-element approaches to compliance. Our methodology includes the following objectives: 1. Identify and evaluate mandatory and voluntary: prescriptive, performance, and outcome-based obligations. 2. Map obligations to existing governance, programs, systems, and processes. 3. Identify and evaluate measures of conformance, performance, effectiveness, and assurance 4. Identify and evaluate uncertainties to meeting targeted goals and objectives. 5. Identify and evaluate capabilities, capacity, and performance to meet and sustain obligations. 6. Establish minimal viable compliance (MVC) based on essential behaviours and properties that can be improved on over time. 7. Elevate compliance effectiveness by improving MVC using a build-measure-learn process. Compliance might start off looking like a bicycle but will soon look like a motorcycle, and then a car. Instead of an assortment of disparate compliance parts not working together that might someday deliver on your commitments, you will have a system that delivers benefits right from the start and improves over time. 🙋🏻 Join our weekly Elevate Compliance Huddle ✉️ Subscribe to our Newsletter 🚀 Supercharge your Compliance with Proactivity 📍Lean Compliance - The Proactive Compliance Experts

Title: Research, Experience, and Compliance: Achieving Organizational Objectives Introduction: Meeting organizational compliance objectives is a challenge in today's business landscape. Research and experience are instrumental in helping workers navigate these challenges, determine appropriate frameworks, and establish controls to ensure compliance. This essay explores the significance of research and experience in achieving compliance, highlighting their role in identifying risks, developing strategies, and fostering a culture of compliance within organizations. Research and Its Impact: Research serves as a foundation for understanding the legal and regulatory landscape. It involves analyzing laws, regulations, industry standards, and best practices. Thorough research enables workers to identify potential risks, anticipate regulatory changes, and establish controls to mitigate compliance-related issues. It also helps organizations stay up-to-date with evolving compliance frameworks, reducing legal and financial risks. Experience and Its Influence: Experience contributes practical knowledge and insights gained from past experiences. Seasoned professionals understand the intricacies of compliance and can identify gaps in existing frameworks. Their expertise allows them to develop effective strategies and controls, ensuring compliance across the organization. They also provide guidance, sharing lessons learned and best practices with colleagues. Research and Experience: A Synergistic Approach: Research and experience complement each other in achieving compliance objectives. Research provides knowledge and understanding, while experience adds practical application and contextual insights. By combining these, workers can determine appropriate frameworks and controls tailored to their organization's needs. They can adapt existing regulations and standards, developing robust compliance programs that go beyond minimum requirements. Continuous Improvement and Collaboration: The collaboration between research and experience encourages continuous improvement in compliance efforts. Workers learn from past experiences, conduct research to identify areas for enhancement, and implement changes to improve compliance practices. This proactive approach ensures organizations stay ahead of regulatory changes and emerging risks. Conclusion: Research and experience are essential tools for workers in meeting organizational compliance objectives. Research provides a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape, enabling risk identification and control establishment. Experience contributes practical knowledge and insights, guiding the development of effective compliance strategies. By integrating research and experience, organizations establish robust compliance frameworks, meet regulatory requirements, and foster a culture of compliance. This collaborative approach ensures organizations proactively manage risks and protect their reputation.

How do you prioritize compliance efforts to maximize their impact? ✏️ As compliance professionals, we face the ongoing challenge of navigating a complex web of regulations while ensuring organizational adherence to legal requirements. With resources often limited, prioritizing compliance efforts becomes paramount to maximize impact effectively. Here's how: 1. Risk Assessment : Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to pinpoint areas of highest compliance risk, focusing on regulations directly affecting operations and carrying substantial penalties. 2. Regulatory Landscape Analysis: Stay abreast of regulatory changes and industry trends, prioritizing efforts based on the impact of new regulations and enforcement actions. 3. Impact Analysis: Evaluate the consequences of non-compliance, including financial penalties, reputational harm, and operational disruptions, prioritizing efforts where risks are most significant. 4. Resource Allocation: Allocate resources based on risk level and potential impact, directing efforts where additional resources can prevent or mitigate compliance risks effectively. 5. Proactive Measures: Emphasize proactive compliance measures like employee training, policy enhancements, and robust internal controls to prevent compliance issues before they arise. 6. Continuous Monitoring: Implement systems for ongoing monitoring and auditing to identify compliance gaps and emerging risks, prioritizing efforts to address identified issues promptly. 7. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with regulators, industry associations, and internal departments to collaboratively prioritize compliance efforts, considering stakeholder perspectives and priorities. 8. Compliance Culture: Foster a culture of compliance across the organization by promoting awareness, accountability, and ethical behavior, prioritizing efforts to embed compliance into the organizational culture. 9. Data-Driven Approach: Utilize data analytics and metrics to identify trends, assess compliance performance, and prioritize efforts where improvements are most needed. 10. Flexibility and Adaptability: Remain flexible and adaptable in prioritizing compliance efforts, regularly reviewing and adjusting priorities based on changing regulatory requirements and business priorities. Strategic prioritization is key to successfully navigating the compliance landscape and minimizing organizational risk. By employing these strategies, compliance professionals can maximize their impact and ensure regulatory compliance effectively. So, what do you think?

Rethinking Compliance : Putting People First In the intricate dance of regulatory compliance, organizations often invest significant time and resources into crafting meticulous policies and procedures. The aim? To ensure adherence to regulations and ethical standards. Yet, in this meticulous choreography, there’s a key player often overlooked: the human factor. It’s time to shine a light on the often-neglected aspect of compliance: people. While procedures and policies form the backbone of compliance frameworks, they can sometimes overshadow the dynamic interplay of human behavior within organizations. Consider this: decisions aren’t made in a vacuum. They're influenced by a myriad of factors—stress, neurodivergence, and ever-changing external circumstances. Yet, how often do compliance strategies account for these nuances? It’s a curious oversight, isn’t it? We meticulously document procedures, cross every 't', and dot every 'i', yet we sometimes fail to recognize the complexities of human decision-making. We assume that once the policy is in place, compliance will naturally follow suit. But alas, human behavior doesn’t always adhere to the neatly outlined steps in a manual. So, why the oversight? Perhaps it’s a symptom of our procedural obsession—the belief that if we have the right rules in place, everything else will fall into line. Yet, as any seasoned compliance officer knows, reality often paints a different picture. It's time for a paradigm shift. Instead of viewing compliance solely through the lens of procedures, let’s put people at the forefront. Let’s acknowledge the inherent complexities of human behavior and factor them into our compliance strategies. This isn’t to say that procedures are irrelevant—they're crucial. But they're only part of the equation. To truly enhance compliance effectiveness, we must embrace a more holistic approach—one that recognizes and accounts for the human element. By fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and support, organizations can empower individuals to navigate the complexities of compliance with confidence. It’s a subtle shift in perspective, but one that could yield profound results. So, the next time you find yourself knee-deep in compliance procedures, take a moment to consider the human factor. After all, it’s the people behind the policies that ultimately determine their success. In conclusion, when seeking to create effective compliance policy, it's crucial to center it around people. By understanding the individual challenges and needs within the organization, we can make the policy more effective and ensure sustained compliance with ethical standards. For effective compliance program - start Putting People First Zohar (Zoe) https://lnkd.in/ebK3FSzj

🚀 Introducing the Role of a Compliance Manager: The Unsung Hero in Your Organization 🚀 As businesses continue to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, the importance of a Compliance Manager has never been more evident. These professionals are the glue that ensures your organization remains secure, compliant, and audit-ready at all times. 🌟 What makes a great Compliance Manager? ✅ Deep understanding of evolving regulations ✅ Strong communication skills to bridge the gap between teams ✅ Expertise in managing audits and certifications ✅ A proactive approach to addressing risks before they become issues But here's the challenge: many Compliance Managers are overwhelmed by manual processes and the constant need to stay updated with ever-changing standards. 💡 That's where Secureframe comes in. Our platform automates much of the compliance work, giving Compliance Managers the time and tools to focus on strategic initiatives and ensure the organization's long-term success. Want to empower your Compliance Manager and streamline compliance processes? Learn more below! 🔗 #Compliance #RiskManagement #AuditReady #Automation #ComplianceManager #Secureframe

🔸 A compliance story that’s all too familiar …🔸 There are times when organizations realize their need of compliance transformation when they reach out to someone that might help. The conversation often goes something like this…. Compliance Program Manager: - We had an incident. - We need to make some changes. - We realize we need a better way to do compliance. Compliance Consultant: - Ok. Sorry that happened. Compliance Program Manager: - But right now … - We need to just fix the immediate problem. - We need to keep it simple. - We need to do it fast.. - And … - We can’t disrupt our business. - We don’t have a lot of budget. - Our staff are very busy. - Can you help us? Compliance Consultant: - Just to be clear, do you want help to fix the root cause or the symptom? Compliance Program Manager: - Definitely the root cause, but we need to start small; keep the change to a minimum. Compliance Consultant: - So you mean, start with the symptom. Compliance Program Manager: - I guess. - Is that something you can help us with? Compliance Consultant: - Yes, but it won’t fix your problem. Compliance Program Manager: - Ok. As long as we are doing something, that’s all that matters. Compliance Consultant: - that’s the real problem. Moral of the story …. When it comes to fixing things that really matter, don’t confuse effort with results. If you want to address the root cause consider becoming a member of The Proactive Certainty Program™ https://lnkd.in/gbiVSNv 🙋🏻 Join our weekly Elevate Compliance Huddle ✉️ Subscribe to our Newsletter 🚀 Elevate Your Compliance 🌟 Achieve Compliance Success 📍 www.leancompliance.ca

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in an Organization is very crucial. Regulatory compliance is essential for any organization to avoid legal penalties, maintain a positive reputation, and protect its stakeholders. Here are some key strategies to ensure compliance: 1. Understand the Applicable Regulations: * Identify relevant regulations: Determine which laws and standards apply to your industry, location, and specific operations. * Stay updated: Continuously monitor changes in regulations and industry best practices. 2. Develop a Compliance Program: * Create a compliance policy: Develop a comprehensive policy that outlines the organization's commitment to compliance and defines roles and responsibilities. * Conduct risk assessments: Identify potential compliance risks and prioritize them based on their likelihood and impact. * Implement controls: Put in place internal controls to mitigate risks and ensure compliance. * Provide training: Train employees on relevant regulations and compliance procedures. 3. Assign Roles and Responsibilities: * Compliance officer: Appoint a dedicated compliance officer to oversee compliance efforts. * Compliance committee: Establish a committee to provide oversight and guidance. * Employee responsibilities: Clearly define the compliance responsibilities of all employees. 4. Conduct Regular Audits and Assessments: * Internal audits: Conduct regular internal audits to assess compliance with regulations and policies. * Third-party assessments: Consider engaging external auditors for independent evaluations. * Corrective actions: Implement corrective actions promptly to address any identified non-compliance issues. 5. Monitor and Report: * Track compliance: Monitor compliance with regulations and internal controls. * Report findings: Report compliance findings to management and relevant stakeholders. * Continuous improvement: Use compliance data to identify areas for improvement and enhance compliance efforts. 6. Foster a Culture of Compliance: * Leadership commitment: Demonstrate strong leadership commitment to compliance. * Employee awareness: Promote a culture of compliance awareness among employees. * Open communication: Encourage open communication and reporting of compliance concerns. 7. Stay Informed and Adapt: * Industry updates: Stay informed about industry trends and regulatory changes. * Adapt to changes: Adjust compliance programs and procedures as needed to address evolving regulatory requirements. 8. Leverage Technology: * Compliance management software: Utilize software tools to automate compliance tasks and streamline processes. * Data analytics: Use data analytics to identify potential compliance risks and monitor compliance trends. By following these strategies, organizations can effectively manage regulatory compliance, minimize risks, and protect their reputation.

💡 The Critical Need for a Compliance Strategy: Every organisation must have a clear compliance strategy to effectively meet its legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations. A well-crafted strategy ensures that compliance efforts are structured, aligned with broader business goals, and able to address risks in a proactive, sustainable way. A compliance strategy is not just a plan—it forms the foundation that outlines how an organisation will maintain compliance over a long-term period (typically 3 years or more). By aligning compliance activities with broader business objectives, the strategy ensures efforts are focused, coordinated, and preemptive rather than reactive. However, it’s important not to confuse a compliance strategy with an annual compliance programme—they are distinct but interconnected. 🔹 Compliance Strategy: is the "what"— the long-term vision outlining an organisation's compliance objectives, aligned with overall business goals. It provides a high-level approach for navigating legal landscapes and sustaining compliance over time. 🔹 Annual Compliance Programme": is the "how"— a short-term, operational plan that implements the strategy. It acts as a detailed roadmap, breaking down the strategy into actionable steps over a 12-month period, covering activities like risk assessments, monitoring, and training. Here’s why developing a compliance strategy is essential for every organisation: ✔️ Achieve sustainable compliance outcomes that consider economic, societal, and environmental factors.   ✔️ Implement proactive risk management measures, reducing costs associated with breaches.   ✔️ Allocate resources to high-priority areas, ensuring critical risks are addressed.   ✔️ Demonstrate commitment to ethical standards, enhancing reputation and trust.   ✔️ Enable data-driven measurement and improvement of compliance efforts. Without a well-defined compliance strategy, an organisation risks inefficiency, missed opportunities, and may adopt a reactive approach to challenges. Both the strategy and annual compliance programme are crucial—one provides direction, the other drives execution.

※So, you've implemented a compliance program with all of the bells and whistles--compliance policies, procedures, training slides, compliance reminders to employees, etc. If a federal regulator comes knocking, you'd be in the clear, right? Not exactly. In the ever-evolving world of business, ensuring the health of your compliance program is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a strategic imperative. As we navigate through dynamic regulatory landscapes and unprecedented challenges, regularly assessing and refining your compliance framework is key to staying resilient. Here are 3 reasons why it's important to take the pulse of your compliance program: ► Adaptability: Markets, regulations, and business environments are in a constant state of flux. Regular assessments help your compliance program adapt swiftly to emerging trends and regulatory changes. ► Risk Mitigation: Identifying and addressing potential compliance gaps early on is crucial for minimizing risks. Proactive measures can prevent costly consequences and protect your organization's reputation. ► Continuous Improvement: A compliance program that stagnates is a liability. Regular evaluations provide insights into what's working well and what needs enhancement, facilitating continuous improvement. How to gauge the pulse? Some will say through training of your employees on the written policies and procedures of your program. Training is important. But don't overlook the importance of testing and monitoring your program. Without testing it would be difficult to know what is working and what needs enhancement. Without monitoring you have no way to identify potential compliance issues before they become a real problem. These two elements are often overlooked, undervalued, and under-sourced. A testing program should consist of a risk-based, periodic, independent and objective assessment of the operating effectiveness of compliance-related processes or controls--i.e., an audit. For example, with respect to gifts and entertainment compliance, testing of gifts and entertainment logs and individual expense reports should be conducted to determine whether employees are complying with the gifts and entertainment policy and recording transactions. A monitoring program consists of ongoing, real-time analysis of risk indicators and compliance functions to identify compliance violations. This would include, for example, identifying anomalies or "red flags" in the gifts and entertainment logs and expense reports. Also important: leverage technology solutions to automate compliance monitoring and reporting. 🌐 In an era where regulatory scrutiny is higher than ever, taking the pulse of your compliance program isn't just a task; it's a strategic imperative. It's about ensuring your organization is not just compliant but also agile, resilient, and future-ready. #compliance #riskmanagement

Therefore, in today’s content, we have selected 3 indicators that we consider essential for your compliance management system. Obviously, they are not the only necessary ones, but we aim to focus on an integrity program, both to guide today’s content and because it is a less discussed topic in the market, even though it is vital for companies and society as a whole. #metrics #indicators #complianceprogram