The Path to ERM Success

The path to success in implementing an Enterprise Risk Management (”ERM”) program can be found in greater integration and better technology - that’s according to a recent survey presented at the 2011 Risk and Insurance Management Society (”RIMS”) Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Entitled “Excellence in Risk Management VIII”, this is an annual independent survey of executives conducted for RIMS by Marsh. The most common focus area noted in the survey is a desire to strengthen enterprise or strategic risk management approaches. While more than half of the survey respondents indicated this desire, a majority saw the primary barrier to achieving this goal was a lack of understanding of the risk landscape across numerous silos of information.

As a result, 55% of the respondents expect to integrate risk management deeper into and across operations and 54% of respondents expect to perform day-to-day risk management activities more efficiently. To meet these expectations, organizations will need to improve the way they gather and report risk data through more cost-effective technology. The survey report supports this notion through the following observation. “It’s worth noting to risk managers that their counterparts in the C-suite were the most likely to view technology upgrades as a focus area. This should help pave the way for technology that can ease the time spent on mundane tasks and open the door to developing the deeper integration of risk management with other departments.”

Source: Risk & Insurance Management Society, Excellence in Risk Management VIII

ERM Integration is Critical

A recent study by Governance Metrics International found that many large corporations either have or are looking to implement an Enterprise Risk Management ("ERM") program.  However, few companies have yet to fully integrate their program into their business processes.  Treasury & Risk Magazine noted the following about the study's findings.

The report highlights the case of Tyco International, a $20-billion diversified industrial company, which seven years ago was a risk manager’s nightmare. Its CEO indicted and later convicted of defrauding shareholders of $400 million and its books cooked beyond recognition, Tyco was often mentioned in the same breath as Enron and WorldCom. Today, broken up, restructured and under completely new management, Tyco has put risk management front and center in its strategic planning and operations. 

“Today risk management is a component of how this company operates on a day-to-day basis,” says John Jenkins, Tyco’s corporate secretary. “So, for example, with strategic planning, it’s not a matter of the risk manager sitting on the side and suddenly chiming in; it’s just a component of the whole process." 

Integration is critical for an ERM program to be truly successful.  Visit www.WheelhouseAdvisors.com to learn more.