2019

The economics of cybersecurity

Sep 18, 2019

On September 18, 2019, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) published an article on how for many directors and business executives, cybersecurity spending has long been a mystery.

Understanding where to invest, how much to invest and, most importantly, the return on that investment has been largely a guessing game. It is also how cybersecurity has earned the reputation of being a “black hole of spending”—chief information security officers (CISOs) continuously request more budget to stay apace of the constantly changing threat landscape, but there is little clarity around how that budget actually delivers value to a company.

Review the full article on the NACD's website.

The Global Risks Report 2019

Jan 15, 2019

On January 15, 2019, the World Economic Forum released the 14th edition of its report, which provides an opportunity to place the global risk landscape into context at the beginning of the new year and identify priority areas for action in 2019.

The Global Risks Report 2019 is published against a backdrop of worrying geopolitical and geo-economic tensions. If unresolved, these tensions will hinder the world’s ability to deal with a growing range of collective challenges, from the mounting evidence of environmental degradation to the increasing disruptions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This year’s report includes another series of “what-if” Future Shocks that examine quantum computing, weather manipulation, monetary populism, emotionally responsive artificial intelligence and other potential risks. The theme of emotions is also addressed in a chapter on the human causes and effects of global risks; the chapter calls for greater action around rising levels of psychological strain across the world.

Review the report on the World Economic Forum's website.

The Lauder global business insight report 2019: The global push for change

Jan 04, 2019

On January 4, 2019, the Lauder Institute released this special report, where students from the Joseph H. Lauder Institute for Management & International Studies offer insights into the global struggle for change.

In every corner of the world, change is visible. Governments, businesses, organizations and individuals are pushing for transformation, refusing to accept the status quo because they believe there is a better way that can benefit more people.

From the expansion of women’s rights in Argentina and greater financial inclusion Brazil, to closing the digital divide in India and improving infrastructure in South Africa, re-visionaries are hard at work.

Review the full report on the Lauder Institute's website.

The right conversations to have with your CISO

Apr 30, 2019

On April 30, 2019, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) published a blog on why cybersecurity is a relative newcomer to the enterprise risk party. Technology has slowly but surely emerged as a risk imperative across the enterprise.

But the potential business damage from attacks, historically, has fallen more in the “annoying but survivable” category rather than the “existential threat” category, so cybersecurity has often not been a focal point of enterprise risk discussions.

Review the full blog on the NACD's website.

Thoughts on the BRT Statement on the purpose of the corporation

Nov 18, 2019

On November 18, 2019, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) published a blog that discusses the Business Roundtable's (BRT) new “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.”

The new statement is, in many ways, a reversion to the BRT’s 1981 “Statement on Corporate Responsibility.” The 2019 statement supersedes the 1997 “Statement on Corporate Governance” which had declared that “the paramount duty of management and of boards of directors is to the corporation’s shareholders.” None of this, of course, is news to the regular readers of the financial press. The new statement has received a tremendous amount of attention from investors, journalists, academics, and politicians. It will be carefully considered by public company management teams and boards of directors, even those not part of the BRT.

Review the full blog on the NACD's website.

Torys Quarterly: Canadian sector report

Oct 31, 2019

On October 31, 2019, Torys LLP released its report where they turn their focus to sectors in Canada: what kind of deal activity are they experiencing, what marketplace and regulatory challenges are they facing—and what does it mean for Canadian business as we move toward 2020?

Some of Canada’s emerging and fast-growing sectors have been busy managing new realities as they continue to develop. Canada’s technology sector is maturing, with acqui-hires and other investment coming into the country’s tech hubs. Canada’s tech sector has become a particularly attractive sector for U.S. buyers—including large buyers—which is influencing the Canadian tech ecosystem in important ways, from how deals are getting done to domestic VC funding.

Review the press release and report on the Torys website.

Trends in cybersecurity breaches continue in 2019

Oct 24, 2019

On October 24, 2019, Audit Analytics released an article on how the number of organizations experiencing cyber-attacks has grown rapidly; over 120 cybersecurity incidents were disclosed in 2018 and 93 have been disclosed so far in 2019.

The proliferation of cyber breaches can be attributed to several factors, primarily that more companies are using more computer systems for more tasks.

Review the full article on Audit Analytics' website.

Use of Non-GAAP measures in executive compensation

Dec 19, 2019

On December 19, 2019, the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (CCGG) released a position paper provides that provides a summary of their study to review the compensation structures of a representative group of 100 public companies listed on the S&P/TSX Composite Index and includes recommendations for improved disclosure on the use of these measures by public company boards.

In the normal course of our review of corporate disclosure and ongoing engagement with public company boards over the past several years, CCGG has noted an increasing prominence of non-GAAP performance measures in the incentive compensation programs (both short-term and long-term) of Canadian public companies. It is not uncommon for boards to apply the highest weighting to these unaudited and, often, adjusted measures when determining incentive compensation awards for senior management.

Review the press release and position paper on the CCGG's website.

Why new leaders should make decisions slowly

Sep 25, 2019

On September 25, 2019, the Harvard Business Review published an article on how the stakes are high when a new leader takes over. Despite their training and experience, a full 74% of new leaders say they are unprepared for the new role, and in 18 months nearly half of them disappoint or fail entirely.

In many cases, leaders either judge too quickly, making snap decisions that prove to be ill advised, or wait interminably to “gather more facts,” only for the critical moment to slip away.

Review the full article on the Harvard Business Review's website.

World Economic Forum white paper on seeking return on ESG

Jan 24, 2019

On January 24, 2019, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published "Seeking Return on ESG: Advancing the Reporting Ecosystem to Unlock Impact for Business and Society".

The paper captures the findings of an extensive consultation process, uncovering opportunities for collective action between the complex and diverse set of stakeholder groups that influence ESG reporting, and highlighting where greater action is needed to accelerate system-level progress.

Review the paper on the WEF's website.

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