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Ethics on the Edge Blog

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My Philosophy of Accountability, Governance, and Ethics: 20/20 Foresight

Note for corporate challenges: This blog and number of other blogs on 20/20 foresight and other topics are applicable to both corporations and non-profit organizations. The examples that follow relate to non-profit organizations, but I am happy to  work with corporate boards.

A number of blog entries will reflect an overriding theme in my approach to non-profit organizations that I call 20/20 foresight. 20/20 foresight focuses on keeping accountability and decision-making more generally forward thinking and voluntarily at the forefront of best practice (above and beyond legal requirements).[1]  The key question in decision-making for both the Board and management team of a non-profit organization is: what do organizations want to be able to say in the future that they implemented today in terms of voluntary policy and practice, above and beyond regulatory requirements, (i) to maximize positive business developments and (ii) to address any difficult future scenarios? Difficult scenarios might include a crisis in accountability, a sudden decrease in revenue, a financial or other crisis in the external environment, programmatic failure, a change in the regulatory environment, or other unexpected issue. Read more →

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The Risk Story

Recently there was an interesting article in the Financial Times called “Spotlight on ethics for new rankings” (Alison Smith, Companies section, UK edition, April 6, 2011). The crux of the article is the relevance of companies’ social, environmental, and governance concerns and efforts for asset owners and managers. However, a few quotes highlight a key issue that should be of parallel concern for non-profit organisations: the identification, management and communication of risks. One quote states that despite the increasing attention to rating companies in these three social responsibility areas, investors are “concerned with two things: getting a return as good as they possibly can, and managing risks as well as they can” (Financial Times quoting Patrick Connolly of AWD Chase de Vere). Another quote focuses on “identifying companies at risk that aren’t managing that risk” (Craig Mackenzie of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership). Read more →

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Big Society and Big Uncertainty

8 Big Questions Non-profit Organisations Should Ask

This article addresses a new phenomenon in the United Kingdom launched by Prime Minister David Cameron called Big Society.  The objective of Big Society as stated in the Forward to the Green Paper from the Cabinet Office reflects their “respect for the contribution that civil society organisations can make to shaping and delivering more efficient public services that better meet the needs of the people who use them”.[1] Whilst a UK initiative, the combined objectives of budget deficit reduction, increased engagement of civil society, and increased efficacy of services to beneficiaries are questions broadly applicable internationally – as is the uncertainty that arises from broad-sweeping government policies. For purposes of this article, the emphasis will be on the implications for, and potential contribution of, non-profit organisations – again internationally applicable. Read more →

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Welcome to Susan Liautaud & Associates Limited Blog

My blog focuses on a range of topics addressing the relationship between ethics and success. This includes the relationship between ethics and strategic planning, governance, accountability, and risk management; one-off topics in the news; best practice; policy and organizational culture; and new developments internationally. The idea is to share not only my ideas, but also wisdom and creativity I learn from industry, experts, and academics from around the globe – in other words, from many of you. Read more →

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