In this 2019 Foresight article, we explore how family enterprises face an increasingly uncertain and risky world owing to developments in the economy, geopolitics, financial markets, technology, and industry competition. We review a wide range of general and specific strategies to mitigate systemic risks.
Risk Management
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The Internet has bought connection, communication, and efficiency to the business world, including family offices. However, conducting business online without proper security and knowledge of risks can endanger the family and its data. The right level of expertise, planning, and effort is required to safeguard sensitive information. It is an organizational effort, but employees and family members also benefit from using best practices to protect personal information online.
Cybersecurity Compliance Does Not Equal Security
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The reality today is many companies have relied too much on conducting just a cybersecurity compliance checklist assessment and framework. While compliance with government and industry documentation standards is good, it is not sufficient, nor does it ensure real information security. Organizations need to take appropriate action both before and after a cyber data breach to mitigate the potential negative impacts and optimize business performance results.
Cyber-attacks are increasing in sophistication and magnitude of impact across all industries globally and can negatively impact a company's reputation and market value. Thus, all companies need to fully understand the value of the information assets they possess, the cybersecurity related risk of a data breach, and then factor the benefits and risk variables into their respective business equation. Spending thousands of dollars on some or all of the key cybersecurity recommendations would significantly reduce the impact of a data breach, thus saving millions of dollars.
How Your Board Can Better Oversee Cyber Risk
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Having a good cyber risk management program in place might help a company prevent some breaches. But more importantly, when a breach does happen, it can help companies get back on their feet faster and mitigate financial and reputational damage. How do you know whether your company is doing what it should to address the risk and become cyber resilient?
Minimize Basement Flooding With a Sump Pump
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Finished basements are at elevated risk during heavy storms, making electronic and recreational equipment, furniture, mechanical systems, and other items susceptible to damage. Basement flooding can be exacerbated by a power failure, which may cause a disruption in water removal systems. One of the best investments to protect against water damage is a sump pump with a battery back-up.
Get a first look at the new FOX research on managing opportunities and risks in the family enterprise. This research focuses on a process for the family to address future uncertainties, recognizing both known and unknown risks a family may face in the 21st century. Families who can embrace change, seek opportunity, and manage uncertainty will create the most resilient enterprises of the future.
Global Risks and Your Risk Management Strategy
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Each year, the Global Risks Report, published by the World Economic Forum at Davos, in partnership with Marsh & McLennan Companies and Zurich Insurance Group, is a critical guide to explore some of the major challenges and risks of the world. Understand how decision-makers across the industry can find opportunity amid today’s global challenges. From geopolitical turmoil, to environmental dangers, and cyber threats, we will discuss how businesses may find benefit in applying some of the same contingency planning principles to a wider array of risk planning.
Family Office Structure: Lender Decision
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In December of 2017, the U.S. Tax Court decided in the Lender Management, LLC v. Commissioner case that deductions that were part of a taxpayer’s trade or business were deductible under Section 162; however, deductions under Section 212 were suspended through tax year 2025. Following the suspension of the 2-percent miscellaneous itemized deductions, family offices should consider whether entity restructuring will enable them to deduct expenses under Section 162, rather than under Section 212.
New York State and City Raise Bar for Employers in Handling Sexual Harassment Allegations
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Both New York State and New York City have recently passed a series of laws that significantly increased the protections against sexual harassment in the workplace. These laws outline additional and specific requirements—including the adoption of anti-sexual harassment policies and training—that employers must comply with over the next year.