Ask an Expert: How do I keep compliance interesting and keep our message top of mind with a small team and no budget to travel?
Compliance has expanded greatly, and encompasses so many important facets of ethical business practices that it should not become a dreaded, “check the box” training that is pushed until the very last day of the year.
But, seeing the same content or reading the same documents over and over again, it is likely that the audience will start to gloss over the true, underlying and important message.
How can you be sure that you retain your audience’s attention?
First, let’s turn to the UK Bribery Act guidance that speaks directly to training and communication, as well as that of the DOJ’s Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs. The DOJ’s guidance notes that “some companies…give employees practical advice or case studies to address real-life scenarios, and/or guidance on how to obtain ethics advice on a case-by-case basis as needs arise.”
The biggest takeaway is that you must communicate to your organization about compliance as it affects them. Give them scenarios that relate to their day-to-day practices and help them take practical steps to avoid unethical business and corrupt dealings that will land the whole organization in trouble.
You can create simple slogans that help your audience to remember where to go to raise concerns, such as a simple acrostic that you can post on your company intranet, or around your office space. Such as:
C - Caring
O - Open
M - Mindful
P - Pleasant
L - Listen
I - Interested
A - Available
N - Nearby! Room 200!
C - Call our helpline! +123 456 7890
E - Email us! compliance@abc.com
Take the time to be a little creative and think outside of the typical training sphere. Look at other ways to communicate. Virtual “face-to-face” training that you conduct via your conference calling system is a great way to “see” and “meet” more people.
An evite to a conference call discussing compliance with a theme like “Cookies and Compliance” could be a way to show that compliance is important, and can allow people to bring a treat to the event, making it feel special.
Short but interesting and exciting elements keep your audience engaged. Send colleagues short videos from your phone with “compliance quick tips” getting your message across quickly and easily!
There are many ways to upgrade your compliance communication, and so many technologies at your fingertips to do so. Use your other departments, like marketing and sales, they might know of creative ways to develop a short and effective message, too.
The same can be said of other regions. Tap into colleagues at local offices who can take your message and share it with their teams, to ensure that your compliance theme is being seen and heard. Use them as “ambassadors” of your compliance efforts.
A small team can still do a lot to ensure that compliance reaches everyone. Communicate through any means you have available: email, newsletters, conference calls, webinars, your team does not have to travel to make sure compliance has a far reach!
Associate Director, Compliance Training, TRACE
This post is part of our “Ask an Expert” series where we take questions submitted by readers and ask an expert in the compliance field to provide insight. If you have a question you would like answered, please submit here. |