Some
people -- managers and business owners included -- are just better at managing
risk. Maybe it has something to do with personality or natural ability, maybe it
has something to do with a more developed skill set or greater understanding of
the risk management process -- most likely, it's a little of both.
Management
consulting firm Accenture decided to explore the question of just what makes a
business owner or manager truly effective at handling risk, and here's what
they found:
Top-performing owners and managers:
- Advice when
developing and maintaining risk management programs and activities
- Are involved more with their boards of directors in discussing potential
risks and how to handle them
- Focus more on emerging risks and strategic risks than day-to-day management
of known weaknesses, leading to greater effectiveness and responsiveness when
new risks emerge
- Are at the head of the pack when it comes to analytics
- Excel at recruiting and retaining employees, as well as training them
- Face fewer obstacles with regard to board buy-in, employee skill and even
budgets
Some of these factors are advantages that not all businesses enjoy. For
instance, most managers and even owners find themselves up against budget
constraints more often than not, especially where risk management is concerned.
But other factors are clearly skills that can be developed and honed.
For
instance, getting bored buy-in might be easier if you take the time to develop
ways to reward your board members in meaningful ways to let them know they're
valued. We're not talking kickbacks here -- just simple ways to let them know
you appreciate their time, like a phone call or a thank-you card.
Likewise, learning how to screen employees during the hiring process and
implementing effective ways to retain good employees are skills that can be
learned. In fact, both of these factors -- dealing with the board and handling
employees -- are people skills that involve a certain degree of insight. If
you're lucky, that insight comes naturally; if not, it's certainly a skill
worth cultivating.