@Risk

Businesses today want to enhance their performance, and intriguing new research from KPMG indicates that firms are turning to shared service models and internal process improvements in order to meet those goals.

More than half (59 percent) of those polled in the KPMG 2Q11 Sourcing Advisory Pulse Survey said they anticipate greater demand from clients for shared services delivery models.  Most (51 percent) also saw more demand for internal process improvement. Interestingly, outsourcing demand remained flat, including both business process outsourcing (BPO) and IT outsourcing (ITO).

In other findings:
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Earlier this year, ten leading garment brands and retailers signed a “Call to Action” designed to ban denim sandblasting, a hazardous process that can cause illness and even death for workers.

“Jeans are one of the most popular items of clothing and a very profitable segment of the market is for ‘distressed’ jeans,” explained Patrick Itschert, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF). “The method of choice for giving jeans a faded look is sandblasting, but it is a process which is very damaging to workers’ health. Sandblasting releases dust which, when inhaled, causes scarring in the lungs. This can cause silicosis, an incurable and potentially fatal respiratory disease.”

Most countries banned sandblasting decades ago. However, it still occurs in numerous illegal workshops, putting thousands of workers at risk –and threatening the reputation and supply chain integrity of garment brands and retailers from throughout the globe.

Initially, the Call to Action to end sandblasting was signed and supported by Aurora Fashions, Bestseller, C&A, Carrefour, Esprit, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), Inditex, Karen Millen, Levi Strauss & Co. and New Look.

Now, The Independent is reporting that the Italian fashion giant Versace has also agreed to throw its weight behind the effort. From the article: (more…)

Retail industry sales are up again, marking the 12^th consecutive month of increases.

According to data from the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) in June increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted from May and 5.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

June retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) also rose. Those figures, released last week by the US commerce Department, increased 0.1 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 8.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

The National Retail Federation says last month’s warm weather, lower gas prices and strong Father’s Day promotions put consumers in a spending mood. In particular: (more…)

Most people would agree that the first step in solving a problem is admitting that yes, indeed, there is a problem.

So, how are companies going to implement effective risk and compliance management practices if they don’t even realize the impact of risk or compliance failures on their organization?

A new report written by the Economist Intelligence Unit illustrates my concerns.

After a worldwide survey of 385 senior executives from the finance, risk, compliance and legal functions across six industries and the public sector, the data shows that few companies have the ‘big picture’ view needed for effective risk and compliance management. Even though they understand the importance of an integrated approach to these activities, many have short-sighted practices that end up becoming costly and complex burdens. What’s more, these disparate responses often keep the “true” level of risk out of sight of the wider organization.

For example, the study found that: (more…)

Are CFOs waving a cautionary flag?

As I see it, companies remain focused on growth. But, a new Q2 study from Deloitte indicates that CFOs are still concerned about economic recovery while becoming increasingly worried about both external and internal factors that threaten their progress.

The CFO Signals survey found that:
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