Risk Management and M&Ms

by | Jul 1, 2016 | High Road Leadership, The Risk-Taking Leader

Protecting Company Value

The M&M candy is one thing universally loved and enjoy. Years ago, their catchphrase was “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.” The protective shell insured that the inner chocolate would not soften in the warmth of your hands.2012-03-27-HandfulMMs

Enterprise Risk Management applies a protective cover, at multiple levels, that works to detect, deflect, and defend against all perils that move toward your firm. The vulnerable center is what you want to protect most of all: the organization’s value.

The entire organization is moving towards a reward, usually in the form of capturing opportunities that turn into revenue and growth or another important result. However, in addition to the costs associated with opportunity, there are risks all around you. Risks originate from many sources such as:

  • The status quo,
  • The unknown, and
  • Just being in existence.

Your risks could harm the company’s reputation and stature. Your Enterprise Risk Management culture and methodology works to deflect, defer, and minimize most of the risks. While some of the risks will break through this protective shell, your organization is strong enough to deal with those few risks that get past the Enterprise Risk Management structure.

Enterprise Risk Management is designed to be just like an M&M candy, with the hard shell providing a protective coating to the core, which is your firm’s significance.

I have written extensively on the topic of Enterprise Risk Management in my book Smart Risk Management: A Guide to Identifying and Reducing Everyday Business Risks, published by the AICPA and available at Amazon.