Corruption Prevention and Strategic Planning - Part 1

The objective of this series of ideas or short articles is to provoke the readers’ mindset regarding a significant threat that jeopardizes entity’s success and existence: corruption.

Corruption is a complex socioeconomic cultural phenomenon. As tone will always be at the top, management cannot ignore such a significant issue. Executive management and those charged with governance are expected to integrate corruption prevention measures in strategic planning.

In most of the cases, strategic planning fails in the execution stage. Corruption may be a part of the reasons underlying this kind of failure. The challenging question for management is to find out whether corruption participated directly or indirectly in the failure of its strategic planning or even plans. However, management should already have anticipated or expected corruption threats that may occur not only in the execution stage but also in the planning stage as well.

Therefore, one would expect prudent, vigilant, competent, and professional management to scan its internal and external environment searching for corruption risks that may negatively affect or impact any task or activity of its strategic planning.

Can management search for something they do not know? Can management evaluate the serious consequences for corruption risks they do not know their attributes? Simply, they can not. As a result, what executive management and those charged with governance should do? Management should have effective and up-to-date awareness about fraud and corruption to effectively play a proactive role in all strategic planning phases. Awareness is always the best defense.   

Mike J. Masoud, CPA, CACM, CFE, CICA, MBA

Technical Advisory director, Middle East and Africa

The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI)

www.theaaci.com

Roya TV Coverage of Launching The AACI in Jordan

On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, The AACI launched its operations in Jordan. Administered by The AACI's exclusive approved vendor in Jordan, Albatross Consulting conducted the launch event at Sheraton hotel in Amman. The president of The AACI, Mr. L.b. Files addressed the audience and discussed with them the opportunities and challenges of fighting corruption. The event was attended by the deputy of the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, senior financial institutions officials, civic society representatives, academicians, business leaders and other interested parties. 

The AACI delivers its services outside the US through local partners. Currently,The AACI has exclusive  approved vendors in the Middle East in each of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.

Launching The AACI in Jordan

On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, The AACI launched its operations in Jordan. Administered by The AACI's exclusive approved vendor in Jordan, Albatross Consulting conducted the launch event at Sheraton hotel in Amman. The president of The AACI, Mr. L.b. Files addressed the audience and discussed with them the opportunities and challenges of fighting corruption. The event was attended by the deputy of the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, senior financial institutions officials, civic society representatives, academicians, business leaders and other interested parties. 

The AACI delivers its services outside the US through local partners. Currently,The AACI has exclusive  approved vendors in the Middle East in each of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan.

The AACI and The University of Alabama

The AACI and The University of Alabama

April 2014. Invited by The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Mr. L. Burke Files, President of The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) addressed selected students about The AACI, its mission, and what it does to prevent corruption. The AACI deeply believes in the role of students and faculty in fighting corruption. The AACI is actively engaged in the Academia of the USA and other parts of the world.

Currently, The AACI has close ties with several universities in the Middle East and Africa.

" Had a great chance to speak about ..... of the American Anti-Corruption Institute at the University of Alabama School of Law. It was great to speak with lawyers to be about the perils of corruption and to get their feedback. So many amazing graduate of the School it would pages to type, but a few of my favorites are Hugo Black, US Supreme Court Justice, Millard Fuller, Founder ofHabitat for Humanity, Autherine Lucy, - you have to look her up, and one of my favorite authors Gay Talese. Also - an awesome and gracious host - many thanks to Andrew Morris.

  — at The University of Alabama." L. Bukr Files

The AACI in Richmond, Virginia: “Ethics, Leadership and Respect”

L. Bukre Files

 The AACI in Richmond, Virginia: “Ethics, Leadership and Respect”

April 2014. Invited by The leadership of Henrico County Leadership Conference, in Richmond Virginia, Mr. L. Burke Files, President of The American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) participated in this conference earlier this month.

As Mr. Files stated " I spoke at the Henrico County Leadership Conference, in Richmond Virginia. The theme for this year presentation was “Ethics, Leadership and Respect”. This group had the finest batches of questions on corruption and its impact I have had to date. There was no fear of how they looked in front of others, except a bit of a challenge to ask even better questions. What is all the more surprising is that there where student from 7th grade through high school! What an awesome bunch. I cannot thank Edie Curry or Carole Haarve enough as my co-speakers and two true leaders."

The AACI is committed to support all the academic initiatives that help students and faculty play an active role in corruption prevention.