How Compliance Programs Create Business Value

Professors Todd Haugh and Suneal Bedi of the Institute for Corporate Governance & Ethics at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University recently published a paper: Retheorizing Corporate Compliance. In it they argued strongly that compliance needs to be seen not just as a defense against potential corporate legal liability. It also needs to be recognized as a proactive offensive tool for building market share and competitive advantage. On this podcast they explain that compliance creates numerous non-market strategies for helping the business. For example, organizations with stronger programs can demonstrate to regulators that they would be a good choice to acquire a troubled company. Leading compliance programs can also help to set the standard of practices for their industry, giving their organizations an advantage over those with lagging compliance practices. In sum, by thinking of how compliance can help the business, not just protect it, there are significant opportunities created to grow the business, and change the way people think about compliance. https://lnkd.in/gHndNhd8

Too many companies treat cybersecurity compliance as just another box to tick off. And that’s where opportunities are missed. Here’s the truth: Cybersecurity compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s a strategic asset. Failing to recognize this means you could be: ◾️Missing out on lucrative contracts ◾️Damaging your reputation ◾️Losing customer trust But it doesn’t have to be this way. 🔐 Here’s what you need to do to turn compliance into a business enabler: 1️⃣ Align Compliance with Business Goals → Treat compliance as a core part of your strategy. When done right, it opens doors to new markets and wins customer trust. 2️⃣ Use Compliance to Build Trust → Communicate your commitment to cybersecurity to clients and partners. A strong compliance record can set you apart from competitors. 3️⃣ Leverage Compliance for Competitive Advantage → Highlight your compliance in bids and proposals. Companies that prioritize security are more attractive to clients, especially in regulated industries. 4️⃣ Continuously Improve Your Compliance Program → Stay ahead of the curve by regularly updating your policies and training. A proactive approach to compliance keeps your business resilient and agile. Cybersecurity compliance is more than just protecting your business—it’s about building a reputation of trust and reliability. 👉 Ready to turn compliance into a strategic advantage? Let’s connect and explore how you can make cybersecurity a key part of your business success.

Why I LOVE compliance (and you should too)... Compliance can be powerful. Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard the old… “Compliance doesn’t equal security.” I get it. But let me tell you why I love compliance, ->especially when it leads to an attestation or certification. It’s tangible proof. A #soc2, #iso27001, #HITRUST, #pci, or #cmmc certification isn’t just a checkbox, it’s a formal, independent evaluation that controls are not only designed but are actually working. It’s an independent auditor saying: “Yes, these security controls are operational and effective.” That’s not trivial. That’s meaningful. It’s a sales enabler. A strong security posture is no longer just about avoiding breaches or fines; it’s about maintaining client trust and winning business. Certifications or attestations grease the wheels for sales teams, letting them move faster through RFPs, sidestep or minimize endless security questionnaires, and reassure clients and prospects that the business is mature, trustworthy, and ready to play at the next level. It opens markets. Without formal attestations or certifications, you hit (or will hit) walls. Certain sectors, clients, or geographies simply require proof of compliance. Achieving these benchmarks isn’t just internal validation, it’s a ticket to stay in or break into new markets, grow enterprise value, and stand toe-to-toe with bigger competitors. It creates business impact. Look, we can argue all day about the quality of audits or the integrity of certification bodies (and yes, that scrutiny is warranted). But the business needs tools to flex its investments in security and compliance. Certifications or attestations are one of the most concrete, respected, and effective tools to do that. Compliance, done right, isn’t just about risk reduction, it’s about enabling bold, confident business moves. It’s about turning security investments into sales accelerators, trust builders, and unlocks new markets. I’m passionate about this because I’ve seen it firsthand, when compliance works hand-in-hand with security, the business wins. I love compliance. Not because it’s perfect, but because it creates business and enterprise value. Compliance is powerful. #ciso #msp #compliance #security #business

Earlier in my career, I was hired by a bank that was under a consent order. I had clear marching orders - just solve the problems in order. Now, of course, our team could have solved the problems by checking boxes. But that’s boring and lazy. I'd rather check the box to meet the regulatory needs, but also ask, “How do we set up a long-term solution in a way that is also meaningful to the business?” I'll explain through an example - In this case, the consent order had stemmed from the bank failing to identify bad actors in its customer base. A check-the-box strategy would look at: “How do I prove to the regulators that I’ll be able to spot the bad guys moving forward.” A question posed that way will lead to a solution that just says no to a lot more good customers (catching the bad guys in the process but having the entire business hate you). Bad strategy. A compliant yet meaningful to the business strategy looks at: “How can we get so good at identifying good customers that the bad customers stick out like a sore thumb?” This solution is compliant but also drives an ROI that pays for itself. And the reality is that you cannot identify bad without knowing intimately what good looks like. Let’s level set - either strategy is going to cost the bank a lot of money to implement. The latter strategy allows compliance to drive enhanced revenue to the business (via more approvals of good customers) while also solving the regulatory need. So when people ask, "Doesn't Socure focus on stopping bad people from entering the ecosystem?" I explain, "Yes, we do stop the bad guys, but our real value is in reducing friction for onboarding the good guys with the same tool kit."

This is one of the most significant mindset shifts trade compliance professionals can make. Trade compliance teams often feel as though they are screaming into the void. They talk about  ➡️ Why trade compliance is important. ➡️ How it plays a role in managing business risk. ➡️ How it protects the company against fines and penalties. ➡️ Why it is the right thing to do. I know. I have been there myself. But it can seem as though stakeholders are not getting the message. While not intentional, this lack of understanding can erect hurdles to building robust trade compliance policies and procedures. When I shifted from talking about compliance to how trade processes make people’s lives easier, the conversation changed. Stakeholders tune out “compliance”. It sounds boring. Even restrictive. “Here is how I can make your life easier” gets their attention. Trade compliance processes ensure ✅ Overseas suppliers know what data and documentation to provide. ✅ Production planners can count on components arriving on time. ✅ Supply planners can rely on delivery times for imported goods. ✅ Procurement can accurately calculate landed costs. ✅ Finance can budget for duty costs. No one will be spinning their wheels trying to figure out how to import or export every time something needs to be shipped. The supply chain is smooth and predictable. Stakeholders will get on board with that. I will say that one of the good things to come from the White House’s tariff obsession (if the only one) is that trade compliance teams are finally getting the visibility and recognition they deserve. Now it is easy to see how trade compliance expertise benefits companies and adds value. Trade compliance teams have been adding value all along. How do you get stakeholders to listen when it comes to trade compliance? __________________________________ I am Elizabeth Lomax, import/export compliance expert helping pharma and biotech companies create more efficient international supply chains. DM me or visit my LinkedIn profile to learn more. To stay updated, click the notification bell on my profile. 🔔

I was recently speaking with group of industry peers, and our conversation took an interesting turn. They asked, “How can compliance be more than just a regulatory checkbox?” That sparked a discussion on outcome-based use cases—a shift that transforms compliance from a cost center into a business enabler. Traditionally, banks have approached compliance with a focus on meeting regulatory requirements—KYC, AML, stress testing. But what if we redefined success to focus on measurable business outcomes? Key pillars : - Clear Outcomes – Move beyond process completion to achieve tangible results (e.g., 30% faster onboarding). - Advanced Technology – Leverage AI/ML and predictive analytics for real-time insights and automation. - Feedback Loops – Continuously refine based on real-world results and evolving regulations. The benefits? Greater customer trust, operational efficiency, and regulatory confidence—all while making compliance a strategic value driver. This shift is happening now, and it’s changing the game. Interesting days ahead! #ComplianceInnovation #OutcomeDriven #RegTech #RiskManagement #DigitalTransformation #AIinBanking #BankingCompliance #OperationalExcellence #DataDrivenCompliance

I hosted a dinner in Denver recently and was asked “How does compliance really create a strategic advantage?” For private equity and healthcare investors, it’s not just about avoiding fines. Compliance Protects Profits, secures Preferred Partner Status, and builds Patient Trust Equity. 1. Protects Profits: Billing mistakes, fraud, and fines drain revenue fast. Strong compliance keeps money where it belongs—on the balance sheet. 2. Secures Preferred Partner Status: Payers, investors, and top talent choose companies with integrity. Compliance strengthens deals, boosts valuation, and reduces acquisition risk. 3. Builds Patient Trust Equity: Trust is everything in healthcare. Patients stay loyal to providers who do things right. Strong compliance builds that trust and keeps them coming back. Compliance isn’t a checkbox. It’s a business multiplier. Make compliance work for you, not against you. Always here as a resource, message me. -RRR