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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Risk Management

  I recently came across a blog in Emergency Management Magazine discussing the need to use multiple forms of emergency notifications.  Lessons learned and recent studies reveal that the public won’t likely take action unless they receive their directions from at least two trusted sources.  A study on evacuations during the San Diego wildfires found that residents generally wouldn’t leave their homes until they had received confirmation from a second source (like the news or a personal contact). Thankfully, in today’s networked environment, people have information coming at them from all sides (friends, media, online news, social networking sites, etc.) and will most likely beRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Human Resources, Incident Reporting, Workplace Violence

  Did you see the article in the USA Today last week regarding TSA keeping a database of pushy flyers? The pushy fliers program was launched in 2007 to help prevent the nation’s 50,000 airport screeners from being attacked or threatened.  TSA officials voiced concern about passengers disrespecting screeners so they began issuing new uniforms with police style badges pinned to shirts.  According to the article, the database has records from about 240 incidents and most are screeners in conflict with other screeners and 30 incidents involve passengers or airport workers attacking or threatening screeners. Based on my experiences leaving a New York area airportRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Risk Management, School Safety, Workplace Violence

  A recent report from the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) has revealed that since 1995, a much higher percentage (33%) of terrorist attacks in the United States were conducted by unaffiliated individuals, rather than by organized groups. From the Oklahoma City bombing to more recent attacks like Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, and the University of Alabama, another commonality has also been revealed; in 80% of the incidents, red flags and warning signs exist, but are often not identified. There are many reasons red flags go unreported.  Victims or bystanders may fear retaliation or theyRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Business Continuity, Human Resources, Risk Management

  I attended the national ACUTA conference last week and one of the speakers mentioned Philip Quigley’s quote regarding ‘farmers and building tractors’.  If you are not familiar with his quote, see below: Philip J. Quigley, former CEO of Pacific Telesis said, “If we were to go back in time 100 years and ask a farmer what he’d like if he could have anything, he’d probably tell us he wanted a horse that was twice as strong and ate half as many oats. He would not tell us he wanted a tractor. Technology changes things so fast that many people aren’t sure what the bestRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Human Resources, Incident Reporting, Information Privacy, Information Security, Risk Management

  Recently, Awareity’s CEO, Rick Shaw, was asked to present at the Infotec conference in Omaha.   During his presentation, “The Truths (and Myths) About Assessments, Planning and Implementing”, Rick discussed the three-legged stool each organization is sitting on, and the importance of all three legs (Assessments, Planning/Developing and Implementing). Most organizations understand the importance of assessments and planning, but where many fail to deliver is in the implementation phase.   As we have seen with numerous headlines and lessons learned, a failure to implement can lead to expensive fines, lawsuits, breaches and losses.  Rick used a case study for CVS Caremark.   Due to employees carelessly tossingRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Human Resources, Risk Management

  If you have been following the bullying case in Massachusetts, you know all too well that lack of awareness can kill. Lessons learned clearly show a lack of awareness kills: People Careers Credibility Confidentiality Bottom Lines Reputations Strategies And more…   Lessons learned in schools, banks, hospitals, manufacturing, government and most every other sector continue to demonstrate how lack of awareness creates gaps, poor decisions and unwanted results. There are many different types of awareness: Situational Awareness Security Awareness Privacy Awareness Risk Awareness Customer Awareness Brand Awareness And numerous others…   Does your organization’s management realize they are responsible for awareness?  Awareness must be managedRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Uncategorized

  I recently received an e-mail from a school safety organization that explained, although the services we were offering seemed very important and addressed critical needs for schools, they only provided free services to schools and therefore they were unable to “look at” our solutions since they were not free. The response got me thinking…are free solutions really free? Are free solutions solving the real problems and real challenges organizations face today? What are free solutions? The most common free solutions include training, workshops and checklists.  Free training is usually general and workshops can be free (if you don’t count lost productivity) and free checklistsRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Workplace Violence

  awareness and preparedness efforts. While we have done a considerable amount of research on this topic, there were a few items in this presentation that grabbed my attention: 1) Zero reports of violence do not equal zero violence This is a critical statement for employers to understand and address.  Over 80% of violent incidents have clear warning signs, but red flags are often not reported.  How is your organization ensuring your employees, third-parties, etc. understand their responsibility to report suspicious incidents, threats, etc.?  Have you made it easy for employees to submit an incident report?  Can they do so anonymously?  Once an employee submitsRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Education, Human Resources, Incident Reporting, Legal, Regulatory Compliance, School Safety

  I blogged a few weeks ago about the parent suing the Ottawa Catholic School Bard for $325,000, alleging the school failed to protect her child from repeated acts of bullying.  Two more lawsuits have recently made the headlines and school leaders are probably wondering, “Will we be next?” In Australia, a teenage girl was awarded $290,000 in compensation by the Education Department after years of harassment and bullying at school left her a physical and emotional wreck. The girl’s parents had pleaded with the school principal to protect their daughter, and held regular discussions with teachers and the school chaplain.  But the school failedRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Business Continuity, Risk Management

  According to a recent article at JournalStar.com, Warren Buffett used his letter to Berkshire Hathaway stockholders to bring attention to corporate responsibility and the government bailout of financial institutions. Warren Buffett wrote: “In my view, a board of directors of a huge financial institution is derelict if it does not insist that its CEO bear full responsibility for risk control.  If he’s incapable of handling that job, he should look for other employment.  And if he fails at it – with the government thereupon required to step in with funds or guarantees – the financial consequences for him and his board should be severe.”Read More →