The following quotes attributed to H.E. Robert Mugabe are superb. When you read the first, your face lightens up. The second one, you open your mouth. On the third one, you laugh. On the fourth you are finished. They say laughing is good medicine. Here is your total medicine. Read whenever feeling low. The quotes are not mine. They are attributed to H.E. Robert Mugabe. Here they come. He who swallows a complete coconut have absolute trust in his anus. The only warning Africans take serious is ‘LOW BATTERY.’ Whenever things seem to start going well in your…
How to rise through the ranks as a CFE
Are you a CFE or a newly certified fraud examiner? How do you gain instant recognition across the organisation especially at the senior and top executive levels? Why do some CFEs raise quickly through the ranks, while others tend to stagnate in the lower and middle levels? How can a CFE have a direct reporting line to the Board, considering that investigation is more critical and high risk compared to audit? As a CFE, how do you show your value to all key stakeholders and grow your career and the profession? ___ The answer may not be something you think.…
Craft a strategy for a new era (Part 2)
What is the strategy in your strategic plan? In this part 2, we continue to explore the weaknesses of using the traditional approach; d)Easy to be predicted by the competitors The traditional approach does not offer a unique strategy. The result is a strategy and a plan that can easily be predicted or guessed by the competitor. The same challenge happens when the Balance score card performance measurement tool is used in developing a strategy. The competitor can easily predict the strategy because; i.The Vision, Mission, Values and goals are usually available publicly via the website or annual reports. These…
Craft a strategy for a new era
Many organizations are mediocre because they are still stuck in the traditional approach to strategic planning.The times have changed. You need a strategy for the new era.There are several developments in the 21st Century. We cannot continue doing things using the 19th Century models and frameworks. The traditional approach to planning should be stopped; as it has lots of weakness, specifically: a)Lack of context b)Too abstract or theoretical. You get a strategic plan which is like a research paper. c)Too much unnecessary analysis, with little benefit to the strategy. d)Easy to be predicted by the competitors e)Keeps the company in…
The willpower to succeed: error on positive float, part 6
In this part 6 of willpower, I continue on the importance of positive float On the 5 August 2004, I boarded a taxi heading to Kireka (a city suburb where I used to live). In the taxi I sat next to an old man. He had an Obote like haircut and looked well educated. I just sat quietly. As we were approaching Spear motors junction, after a 10 minutes’ drive, the old man tapped on me and said: Hi, young man. What do you do? I looked at him and intoned: “I am a consultant. I help people solve their…
Crossing the Ethical Boundary 3:Insights from a fraud investigator.
Why people cross the ethical line? Read: Crossing the Ethical boundary Part 2 People cross the ethical line due to four things summarized in the fraud diamond Everyone works in order to earn a salary to pay for their needs and wants. You want to drive a good car, live in a good apartment or house. Get successful partners. You are motivated to make money and it is your DNA! You’re motivated to earn more and live a good life. The problem is that human condition of greed makes us want more. Because there will always be someone better than us.…