Articles By Author
The Calculus of Controversy
Aiming to enhance reputation and galvanize consumers, more companies are publicly weighing in on hot-button issues.
Financing Disaster Risk in Latin America
A $1.36 billion catastrophe bond illustrates a growing effort to explore new options for disaster risk management.
Cannabiz: The High Profits and High Risks of Legal Marijuana
"Legalize it" has been easier said than done for the growing number of businesses that are trying to profit from pot.
Coffee Growers Struggle to Meet Demand
Disease and drought have made it difficult for coffee producers to keep up with market growth.
Big Easy Resilience
Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans navigates the road to recovery.
Sea Change
With a $5 billion expansion, the Panama Canal is once again transforming the world of shipping, more than a century after its creation.
Attacks Risk Energy Growth in Colombia
Guerrilla attacks on oil pipelines threaten the growing energy sector in Colombia.
Unclassified Information
Understanding data risk.
New York’s Plan for Storm Protection
In the wake of Sandy’s destruction, New York is working on ways to build a more resilient city.
The Ten Types of Innovation
Re-imagining innovation as a discipline.
The Risk of Charismatic Leaders
When it comes to hiring a successful CEO charisma is a trait to be avoided.
No Trends in Tornadoes
Are there really more tornadoes than ever?
Should Floridians Expect a Hurricane in 2013?
The 2013 hurricane season predictions and the potential cost of a modern-day Miami superstorm.
Communicating Risk to Any Audience
Authors Amy Su Jen and Mariel Maignan Wilkins teach risk managers that even introverts can captivate a crowd.
The Insurance Industry's Rising Reputation
Insurance has a crummy reputation — but it may be improving.
Feminine Traits Are the Leaders of Men
A survey of 64,000 people across the world lends a lot of evidence traditionally feminine values and traits are vital to leadership.
The Gender Pay Gap Persists
Women are still routinely out-earned by men, which makes the reliably high salaries in risk management attractive.
Running Mates: Infamous Sneaker Wars
Disputes in the sneaker industry.
Nine Hollywood Films Fraught with Risk
The threats that troubled Apocalypse Now, The Crow, Waterworld, Troy, Gangster Squad and World War Z.
Former Procter & Gamble CEO A.G. Lafley Discusses Risk and Strategy
Lafley's time at the top of the consumer-products giant gave him a unique vantage point on global risks.
The Drought Debate Down Under
Could record temperatures in Australia lead to drought?
The Risks of 2013
These trends — in business, technology and society at large — will underpin the threats and opportunities facing risk managers this year.
Ed Whitacre's Life at AT&T and GM
Former AT&T and GM CEO Ed Whitacre recounts his time atop two of America's most iconic companies.
Fighting the War on Hail in Texas
Hail is the costliest peril in Texas and business owners need to protect themselves from its impact.
Moving from GAAP to IFRS
Accounting standards may be changing soon but the transition won’t be seamless — or cheap.
Zero Dark Policy
The changing terrorist threat across the globe is coinciding with a transition in the terrorism insurance market.
Technology Isn't Your BYOD Problem, People Are
“There are fewer technology issues than there are human resources considerations,” says Tim Francis of Travelers.
Strategic Risk Management Not Widespread in Europe
Only one-third of European companies embed risk management into strategic decision making.
Failing to Succession Plan Is Planning to Fail
The NBA spent much of the past decade preparing for its leader’s retirement. Why don’t more companies?
The Year in Risk 2012
To the surprise of no one, 2012 was yet another year fraught with risk. From debt crises and drought to fines and floods to recalls and re-elections, the last 12 months have had it all.
Cut the Dead Weight and Embrace Simplicity
Simplicity beats complexity and other lessons in this review of Matthew May's latest book The Laws of Subtraction.
Using Mobile Apps in Disasters
People are increasingly turning to mobile devices for emergency info, but they could use more options.
Insurer Trends Center on Technology
Insurers’ wealth of data — and how they manage it — may be their greatest asset for pricing risk more accurately and adjusting risk appetite.
Reputation Risk is the Biggest Threat Companies Face from Social Media
Two-thirds of respondents to a recent survey believe that social media is either a critical or significant risk to their organization's reputation.
SEC Revolving Door May Improve Regulatory Enforcement
An incentive to prove their value to future employers may prompt some SEC officials to pad their resumes with impressive-looking enforcement actions.
How the Dream Team Foreshadowed the Olympics' Sponsorship Controversy
Given what happened 20 years ago after Michael Jordan won a gold medal, we should have seen the recent firestorm coming.
Sarbanes-Oxley’s Approval Rating on the Rise
While SOX remains a burden in several ways, at least some companies now — 10 years later — feel like it has actually led to some worthwhile accounting improvements.
Transition of Power
The major risks ahead as natural gas power plants increasingly replace traditional coal plants.
Using Social Media to Mitigate Reputation Risk
Over three-fourths of people trust a company more when its CEO engages in social media.
Ten Dying Industries
Even during an economic recovery, these declining industries continue to underperform.
The Healthy Firming of the Insurance Market
Despite the upward pricing trend, few would be willing to categorize this as a hard insurance market. It is something altogether different.
Grading State Insurance Commissions
Connecticut and Mississippi each received an "A," but the news wasn't so good throughout the rest of the nation. The average insurance commission grade was a "D+."
Experts Forceast Mild Hurricane Season for 2012
The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be quiet. Then again, these are merely predictions.
Insurers to Hire in 2012
More companies now say they expect to increase staff than at any time since before Lehman Brothers collapsed in September 2008.
The Girl with the Riskiest Tattoo
The production of any blockbuster film is a challenge, but none were more difficult in 2011 than The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
What the Octopus Can Teach Us About Security
To improve security, society should embrace adaptability — an approach that better resembles the evolutionary process of the species that thrive across the globe today.
Mangrove Tsunami Protection
Coastal mangrove forests create a natural barrier against tsunamis.
Fanarchy
Egypt’s soccer riot in February was among the most horrific sports tragedies in modern times.
Workplace Homicides on the Decline
The number of workplace homicides is less than half of what it was 20 years ago.
After a Data Breach: Notifying the Exposed
As privacy regulations on data handling go federal, companies need to keep up with the new rules.
Unmanaged Retirement Plan Risks
Many companies are not managing the risks created by ineffective retirement plan governance.
The Risks of 2012
In 2012, these are the issues that, if they don’t keep up you up at night, might bring down your business.
In Honor of Risk Education
How the Spencer Educational Foundation is helping to train the next generation of risk managers.
Debt Ceiling Debate, U.S. Rating Downgrade, Euro Zone Default Spur Market Turmoil
The only thing that could make the economy of 2011 worse? Politicians.
The Year in Risk 2011
We chronicle the past 12 months through the lens of risk, from the Japan earthquake and the Arab Spring to the Greek debt crisis and the death of Steve Jobs.
Insurers’ Charity Often Goes Wasted
How can insurers do more good with the money they donate?
Brad Pitt as Risk Manager
Moneyball, ERM and the death of the status quo.
Reviewing 18 Minutes, a Book Not Even Worth Five
There is a better way to spend eighteen minutes than reading this book.
The Risks of Working from Home
Paul Braun of Aon Global Risk Consulting explains the risks of this modern approach to work.
Longer Lives, Larger Liabilities
The rise in life expectancy could mean that companies have a major unfunded liability on their balance sheets.
The Growing Pirate Threat in the Gulf of Guinea
The dangers of Somali pirates are well known. But risk also swirls in the waters on the other side of Africa.
How September 11 Changed Insurance
Ten years after September 11, Jeff Beauman of FM Global explains how the attack altered an industry.
Austerity Risk
The current obsession with fiscal tightening in many countries may be misguided.
Benchmarking Risk Management
Two reports from RIMS will help risk managers see how they stack up to their peers.
Deadliest Terrorist Attacks
The 10-year anniversary of September 11 reminds us that terrorist attacks have been all too common.
Insurers Spending on IT
Nearly half of all insurers plan to increase their IT budgets in 2012.
From the Office to the Classroom
Why one successful risk manager left his dream job in the private sector to join academia and teach the next generation of risk managers.
Hope for Long-Term Care Costs
States looking to reform long-term care costs should consider following the trail Texas blazed.
Big States, Bad Insurance Regulation
Florida, California, Texas and New York are among the worst six states when it comes to insurance regulations.
A Hurricane Katrina Memoir
A review of former FEMA chief Michael Brown's unapologetic Hurricane Katrina memoir.
The Global Food Crisis
Environmental legend Lester Brown discusses what he now believes may be society’s weak link.
Dodd-Frank One Year Later
Uncertainty abounds for financial sector companies more than 12 months after the bill became law.
A History of Violence
Strategies to prevent workplace violence.
Insurers' 2011 Objectives
Three main initiatives will dominate the investment objectives for carriers this year.
The Lives of Workers
For National Safety Month, a look back at significant moments in workplace safety.
In Harm’s Way: Evacuating Employees from the Middle East
Evacuating employees from Egypt during the uprisings.
Losing Your Appetite
Defining an organization's risk apetite should be the first step in risk management. Instead, many aren't even doing it.
The Rise of a New Superbug
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), a bacteria untreatable by any known antibiotic, is spreading in Southern California.
Early Warning Signs of Disasters
Exploring the early-warning signs common to all disasters.
A Storm By Any Other Name
We will never again call a hurricane Igor or Tomas, but other named storms may batter the coast this year.
In the Wake of the Quake: Building Code Lessons
Countless lives were saved by Japan’s stringent building codes, which are based on lessons of its past disasters. Can others learn from this?
The Rising Costs of Compliance
Global compliance professionals see regulatory risk increasing in 2011.
Help Wanted in the Insurance Industry
The insurance industry is one of the few hiring.
BRIC Economies Lack Adequate Risk Management
Brazil, Russia, India and China are great places to do business. Just don’t expect much risk management help.
The Metrodome Roof Falls Down
A blizzard causes a collapse of the Metrodome roof in Minnesota.
Olympic Luger Dies Despite Warnings
The death of an Olympian highlights safety concerns.
Corporate Crises in the New Media World
Richard Levick of Levick Strategic Communications discusses how companies can navigate a crisis.
All Risk Is Local
Wharton School risk management center director Howard Kunreuther discusses 2011’s top global risks.
The Science of Risk
Five labs and research centers that make the world smarter, safer and more resilient.
Data Privacy Rules Around the World
Data privacy is pecoming an increasingly perilous threat as regulations become more prevalent and complex worldwide.
A History of Blizzards
A blizzard halted Christmas traffic in the Northeast. But that was nothing compared to these past storms.
Q&A: A World of Risk
Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer discusses the largest international threats for 2011.
Solvency II Procrastination
Some 10% of companies have yet to even begin to prepare for Solvency II implementation.
The Biggest Risks of 2011
The largest risks facing society in the months and years ahead are macroeconomic and have no immediate solutions.
Workarounds That Work
Russell Bishop offers advice on how to do your job better.
The Year in Risk 2010
The Gulf oil spill and Haitian earthquake were the year’s biggest stories. But so much more happened in 2010. Here’s a rundown.
Climate Change in the Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast has experienced a lot of tragedy in recent years. Sadly, things might get even worse.
Big Risks Come in Small Packages
Coca Cola, Wal-Mart, Kraft, Del Monte, Safeway and Kroger have all failed in their efforts to address BPA in their product packaging.
Where Good Ideas Come From
The history of innovation.
Short on Supply, Long on Risk
Businesses that cut costs on supply may be unable to adjust as customers start buying again.
Regulatory Uncertainty and Insurance
Will more regulation equal better regulation?
Workers Say Safety Is Paramount
Everyone knows safety is important -- but none more so than workers.
The Coral Cryobank
With coral reefs disappearing from the seas, scientists are freezing them to stave off extinction.
Your Staplers Are Safe, Your Data Isn't
Nowadays, employees are more likely to steal corporate data than they are to steal office supplies.
From Tactical to Strategic: Risk Management's Next Move
Strategic risk management may not be the discipline’s endgame, but it is the next evolution. Time to start thinking strategic and long term.
Crude ERM Implementation
Enterprise risk management is becoming common in the energy sector, but true implementation lags.
Iran Sanctions and Insurance
Tougher sanctions against doing business that assists Iran were passed, but enforcement questions remain.
Five Years After Katrina
Five years after Katrina, New Orleans is finally recovering despite the recession and the oil spill.
In Management, One Size Doesn't Fit All
Management is always tough. But by being more leinent, you may achieve more.
Safeguarding the Ivory Tower
Teaching risk management is hard. But it looks easy compared to the neverending job of actually managing the risks of a major university.
Zilch
Doing more with less.
Companies Not Reporting Risk
Risk reporting remains the most difficult nonfinancial information to convey to corporate leadership.
No One Is Ready for Disaster
Feel underprepared for hurricane season? Don't worry — so does everyone else.
Kidnap & Ransom Trends
The threat of kidnapping has never been greater for employees traveling abroad.
Spilling the Blame
The failure of BP’s fail-safe is an all-too-familiar saga about the ineffectiveness of a public watchdog.
The End of the Free Market
A review of Ian Bremmer's new book, "The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations?"
Below the Cloud, Under the Radar
Gauging the risks and rewards of cloud computing.
Carpe Diem
Opportunities for internal audit.
Customer Service Innovation
Ranking the best in cutting-edge customer service.
The Deadliest Earthquakes
A look at deadly earthquakes throughout history.
Explosive Potential
An explosion at a gas power plant highlights the need for better risk management.
All My Children
Hot dogs lead the list of foods that present choking hazards to children.
The Little Big Things: 163 Ways To Pusue Excellence
Thoughts on how to achieve corporate success by the author of In Search of Excellence.
Web of Sadness
Does excessive internet usage cause depression?
Flip the Funnel
Acquiring new customers might require a new strategy.
Counting Calories
Accurate information can influence consumer eating habits.
The Doomsday Clock
A brief history of the Doomsday Clock.
After Haiti: The Future of Disasters
The tragedy in Haiti, the latest in a decade that saw no shortage of natural catastrophes throughout the world, has prompted a re-evaluation of disaster preparedness and response.
Learning from Catastrophes
A collection of studies in risk management edited by Wharton professors Howard Kunreuther and Michael Useem.
Q&A: Handling Fraud Claims
Brad Murlick and Paul Lux of Navigant Consulting discuss how to respond to fraud claims.
Teaching a Man to Not Fish
A record bluefin tuna sale highlights the overfishing of a species nearing collapse.
The Dark Side of Sunshine
A black market for solar panels undermines environmental efforts and leads to increased theft.
Your Grandmother Is a Liar
You shouldn't trust your grandmother's so-called wisdom farther than you can throw it
Security Breach on Capitol Hill
The data security procedures of Congress were called into question after a junior staffer's error.
Atlanta Can't Blame Climate Change for Drought
Instead, the city must learn to manage a rapidly rising population that is increasingly depleting its lone main reservoir.
Medical Liability Claims on the Rise
"Worsening economic conditions in 2008 may have influenced individuals to assert claims against hospital systems," says an Aon expert.
The Coastal Balancing Act
Certain communities have instituted coastal land-use plans to better manage the threats they face.
SuperFreakonomics
Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner's sequel to the best-selling Freakonomics take another look at unique economic scenarios.