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The article analyzes the extent to which risk management help corporate decision makers deal with uncertainty, disruption and dilemmas. It discusses the conventional approach to risk management and qualitative and quantitative risk assessment. It proposes a consequence-conscious method of decision-making that involves considering possible disadvantages. It suggests paying attention to the mentality of team members, ethical considerations, competing interests, objectives and priorities.

The article discusses the results of a study by the IMA Research Foundation regarding the impact of emotional business decisions made by managers on their careers and the success of their organizations. Topics include the impact of performance-based pay on the tendency for managers to make economically desirable choices and use management tools that help them consider how their emotions factor into decision making, and the use of brain activity to confirm that emotions impact decisions despite compensation.

The article focuses on the importance of positive confrontation in the careers and lives of various people. People even leave jobs over confrontation. However, one needs to look at confrontation in a positive way. Confrontation leads to understanding the other person's point of view, and learning new things, that results in professional growth and development. Confrontation leads to sharing the responsibilities to solve problems. Positive confrontations are not about arguing one's point, but learning the best way to get things done. One needs to support the other person and face the issue together. Employing these methods as a manager can make the workplace more respectful and productive.

The article discusses the role of chief financial officers (CFO) in convincing company executives about the importance of having a well-honed disaster recovery plan. A discussion is presented about executives' tendency to underestimate the impact of a computer virus or hacking attack on the security and performance of a corporation. An overview of serious business consequences of power and telephone outages is presented. The author explains the competitive edge of companies with an excellent recovery plan.

The article discusses management practices that can minimize or eliminate the financial risk associated with sexual harassment in the workplace. Areas of business affected by sexual harassment claims are highlighted, and applicable federal laws and the results of several court cases are examined. Steps ensuring the establishment of a sound sexual harassment policy are also discussed. INSET: A SAMPLE POLICY.

In this best practices section, the article discusses maintaining focus in order to accomplish business goals. The author refers to professional athletes who claim that their success can be attributed to maintaining focus. The article attempts to define the habits and behaviors that lead to focus. The author recommends eliminating distractions from everyday and keeping attention on the most important thing. Additionally, the author recommends focusing on the essential nature of the work at hand. The author remarks that his own practice of maintaining focus has created a lightness and joy in his own career.

The article discusses ethics and business practices in relation to the report "State of Compliance Study 2016: Laying a Strategic Foundation for Strong Compliance Risk Management" by the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC). Topics include the beliefs of executives about business leaders and ethical or compliance issues, the relation of ethics and compliance to risk management, and a report on environmental and social practices reporting by businesses by the organization Conference Board.

The article discusses corporate culture in relation to ethical problems at the firm Toshiba KK. Topics include misleading profit estimates in relation to the firm's executives, problems with the firm's governance structure in relation to oversight by its audit committee, and the lack of influence by outside directors in many Japanese firm's.

The article offers statistics on the opinions of executives from the BDO Global Risk Landscape Report on business risks due to lack of innovation, regulatory risk, and technological changes.

The article notes the results of the 2016 IT Audit Benchmarking survey by the firm Protiviti Inc. and the organization ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association), noting opinions on IT audits among executives and professionals.

The article focuses on a survey of attitudes towards and practices of corporate social responsibility conducted by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. Over 751 executives of U.S. corporations where interviewed, over half of whom were Chief Executive Officers. The survey found wide gaps between the executives claims about their company's efforts to promote social responsibility and their practices in making the issue a priority.

The article presents the results of a survey of corporate controllers and nonaccounting managers in the lodging industry as to what are the most important responsibilities of the controller's job. There was a broad overall agreement as to priorities among the two groups. The two four skills listed by the managers were among the top six listed by controllers.

The article stresses the importance of personal humility in the character of a management executive. The article presents an example of the elevation of two executives who have exhibited the kind of humility that shows rank and file employees that their role in the organization is vital to its success. The article presents several suggestions that produce results, such as admitting mistakes, keeping a sense of perspective and humor, and listening.

The article presents a way to handle the continuing corporate accounting and auditing scandals. Directors, owners, and management, are involved in major corporate scandals. The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) have made changes to increase auditor requirements in financial transactions. The proposed rules of the SEC would amend disclosure requirements for executive and director compensation, related party transactions, director independence and other corporate governance matters. There would be a disclosure requirement regarding policies and procedures for approving related party transactions.

The article focuses on the economic outlook for the United States, which is optimistic according to reports from the first quarter of 2004. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is expected to reach 11,000 by the end of the year. The Conference Board index of business confidence reflects the optimism of chief executive officers who expect continued economic expansion across industries. Their view is supported by a KPMG Investment Advisors poll of economists who predict a 4.6 percent growth in the gross domestic product. Statistics are given from various studies for corporate profits, sales expectations, capital markets, and employment growth.

The article reports on a global survey of chief executive officers (CEO), conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which found that corporate responsibility is a priority with CEO. A majority of CEO in North America believe their companies are perceived as socially responsible. CEO in Central and South America and Europe say workplace safety defines the perception of social responsibility.

The article focuses on methods to help employees deal with managerial conflicts. It states that uncertainty caused when employees and management find themselves at cross-purposes can affect job performance and also result in the employees worrying about job security. It suggests that employees should be open to the possibility they are contributing to problems with management through their own actions and attitudes. It suggests employees can talk to managers to discuss problems in a non-adversarial setting. It states that employees shouldn't dwell on negative aspects as this can demoralize them and is unproductive; instead, employees should work to improve on areas that cause friction with the supervisor. It mentions that bad bosses are often revealed by rapid employee turnover.

The article presents the essential characteristics of a leader. The author notes that effective leaders must embrace the intangibles of a positive tone of voice, have an innate sense of timing, build trust among teams, and possess the ability to cultivate leaders around them. Leaders are revealed through their actions.

The article emphasizes the importance of maintaining awareness of one's mental state. Feelings and emotions provide an important clue to the tenor of one's thoughts. Perceptive individuals can take note of this and adjust their actions accordingly. The author relates how always assesses the tone of business meetings, and stands ready to call for a break if he senses undue tension or discord. Self-awareness also helps one identify and overcome egotistical thinking, and thus become less judgemental.

The article describes strategies for executives to change their business and personal practices. A discussion is presented about the importance of recognizing how one's personal thoughts can affect business decisions and examines how improper ways of thinking can presented consequences in real-life decisions.