New research by HBS professor Anette Mikes and colleagues looks into how accountants, finance professionals, internal auditors, and risk managers (what we call staff function) gain influence in their organizations to become strategic decision makers. Key concepts include:
Many organizations have functional experts who have deep knowledge but lack influence.
They can influence high-level strategic thinking in their organizations by going through a process that transforms them from "box-checkers" to "frame-makers."
Frame-makers understand how important it is to attach the tools they create to C-level business goals, such as linking them to the quarterly business review.
Frame-makers stay relevant by becoming personally involved in the analysis and interpretation of the tools they create.

You can read the complete article here:
http://www.hbs.edu/research/pdf/11-068.pdf

I look forward to having an interesting discussion on this important topic..

You need to be a member of Global Risk Community to add comments!

Join Global Risk Community

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • Is a convergence challenge to integrate corporate strategy, governance and risk management since risk neglects strategy formulation. Risk management is the practice of identifying, evaluating and controlling those factors to avoid or mitigate potential negative effects, where such these perspectives can be challenged, in particular the idea of founding the concept of risk on meeting defined objectives. The concern is that such perspectives could easily lead to the wrong focus – meeting some more or less arbitrary objectives rather than finding the overall best solutions and measures from a value creation point of view. Henceforth, there is a need to distinguish strategic risk from operational risk eg the cause of operational losses of financial institutions during the financial crisis were originated from strategic failures.
    In order to connect strategic and operational risks, the framework of the management control system should be on an informational basis by taking strategic planning and control as a whole, and integrates diagnostic control and interactive control into the operating framework, where formulation and implementation of strategies or strategic change are explained under this framework, concurrently focusing on the roles of diagnostic control and interactive control. Such interface will improve organisational effectiveness and efficiency, particularly during strategy execution by discovering and correcting deviations and taking opportunities.
    Post-financial crisis have reinforced majority of companies to be risk averse when forming strategies but marketing and operations remained essential for competitive advantage. This suggests that different risk-assessment strategies are appropriate for different functions.
    So, in answering the question - Is not game changer but Game-Bridger.
  • Thanks Boris, that was an interesting and informative paper.

    I wonder where the balance lies in achieving successful management of risk - leaning towards techniques and automated tools or in favour of pyschology and culture...

  • Steven:

     

    I believe we are saying the same thing.

    First there are the external impositions like regulation.  Necessary but of quite limited value.

    Second there are the true economic risk metrics, for example predictive analytics to anticipate rising fraud or correlatives of default.

    Finally, and of greatest worth, those who study risk can add true value by spotting market developments, unmet needs, risk/return imbalances for the firm to exploit.

  • This is very good article and guidance for risk professionals who are looking to be frame-makers, i.e. game changers, in particular that it is based on HBS case study.

     

    I agree that functional experts and analyst sometimes tend to overanalyze instead of influence.

  • Hello Robert, I'm not quite sure I agree (or perhaps am misunderstanding you).  The case study by HBS is taking a look at how functions like risk management, internal audit, and accountants can take a more business-value-added role in their organizations. 

    Box-checking, while a requirement for some support functions, shouldn't be the end goal for these support functions.  As you say, "someone has to watch the pressure gauges...but that's not how to score".  In order to "score" these support functions need to do more than just fulfill functional requirements; they need to be contributing to organizational goals.

  • My personal experience is quite mixed and very much depends on the key decision makers within FO as well as within the support/control functions, where we reach a symbiotic equilibrium (which I have seen in only two of the nine trading organisations I have worked in) then I would for sure describe risk as a game changer but typically the role has been a score keeper and the fall guy when things go wrong. Risk should be the conscience and deal enhancer for the company but too many risk professionals fail to understand the duality of the role and what the right mix of the two is. You need strong beliefs and also good support to effectively play this role.
  • That's a bit like asking if a football player (US style) is on offense or defense.

     

    Someone has to watch the pressure gauges, warning lights and fuel levels, but that's not how to score.

  • For those who don't quite have the time to make it through the entire document, here's a brief summary of the paper's main points:
    http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6680.html

    One of the case studies reviews how one Chief Risk Director changed her organization's risk culture by educating decisions makers, developing a common language of risk, and getting risk management involved at the strategic level.  These are important steps for growing any risk management program.

    Each functional silo uses it's own language to discuss risk preventing collaboration between those silos.  This can lead to the duplication of tests and controls and allow some risks to fall through the cracks between silos. 

    A common language allows your organization to collectively discuss risk enterprise-wide and make better decisions where previously, within a single silo, there wasn't enough information to act.

    Getting support from the top I think was the key for the Saxon case discussed.  The Chief Risk Director engaged senior management with the strategic tie-in they were looking for, and with their support was able to really transform her risk management program.

     

     

This reply was deleted.

Introducing the Global Risk Series - Book 1 Risk Management How Tos

Dear GlobalRisk Community member, Our community’s mission is to foster business, networking and educational explorations among members. Learn from some of the top experts in the industry as they clearly explain how to approach the most important Risk management concepts. Check out their expert tips and use the link at the end of each article to navigate back to the website to leave your comment or ask a question.   Some of the topics include: How do you Explain Risk Appetite?  How to Prepare a…

Read more…
16 Replies · Reply by GlobalRiskCommunity Mar 21
Views: 1078

[Free COVID-19 Framework] What's the path to recovery look like?

We created a free presentation (attached), which discusses both global and organizational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with critical actions organizations should take immediately. This presentation introduces a framework that helps regions and organizations navigate a path to recovery via 9 potential scenarios. These scenarios capture outcomes related to GDP impact, public health response, and economic policies. The presentation also breaks down 6 immediate and critical actions…

Read more…
4 Replies · Reply by Steve Diaz Jul 8, 2023
Views: 233

If risk management is about decision making, are current risk management solutions irrelevant?

Now that the updated COSO and ISO risk management standards emphasize a connection to enterprise objectives and decision making, does this mean ERM and GRC solutions focused on risk registers and regulatory compliance are missing the true value of risk management?Will current risk management solutions evolve to integrate more decision support functionality or will standalone prescriptive analytics and other technology solutions take a more prominent role in enabling risk-informed…

Read more…
3 Replies
Views: 159

A question related to classification of instruments between trading and banking book.

We have an interesting question from one of our members.       "We usually perform OTC FX transactions with clients backed-to-back on the market (with Banks). Now we are going to perform a FX swap (i.e. Spot + forward) JPY/EUR for the Bank account for 1 week at the longest. The purpose is to get EUR place @ CB for LCR compliance purpose (no trading purposes). Bank's Management think that this should be considered as a trading position and therefore be classified within the Bank's trading book.…

Read more…
5 Replies · Reply by Prisha Singh Dec 26, 2023
Views: 361

Plunging oil prices: curse or blessing in disguise?

The recent sudden crash of oil prices has had a major impact on the world economy, leading to many troubled faces in the international arena. The Russians fear the effects of yet another powerful hit on their economy, Venezuela seems to be considering default and the Americans are weary of the consequences for its young and emerging shale oil industry. And then you have the Middle East, where the smallest match is enough to ignite the largest fire. But are these worries really justified or…

Read more…
1 Reply
Views: 106

    About Us

    The GlobalRisk Community is a thriving community of risk managers and associated service providers. Our purpose is to foster business, networking and educational explorations among members. Our goal is to be the worlds premier Risk forum and contribute to better understanding of the complex world of risk.

    Business Partners

    For companies wanting to create a greater visibility for their products and services among their prospects in the Risk market: Send your business partnership request by filling in the form here!

lead