Setting standards for good governance in the latest ISOfocus

Abuse of office for private gains. Trust undermined. Poor governance can have disastrous consequences. It can also threaten market integrity, distort competition and endanger economic development.

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By Elizabeth Gasiorowski-Denis
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How can organizations improve good governance? In its November/December 2017 issue, ISOfocus gives an overview of the most interesting, important and complex changes needed to implement and sustain good governance. It looks at ways to improve business practices and policies and where ISO standards can contribute.  

This edition offers coverage of key issues ranging from risk management and business continuity to sustainable procurement. It also provides a complete picture of ISO 37001 on anti-bribery management systems, particularly useful in today’s governance matters.

Updated throughout, this November/December 2017 issue contains testimonials from some of today’s most important companies, highlighting why ISO standards are good for business, what key considerations are needed for implementing them and their role in building a trusted, resilient organization. Along the way, it illuminates many key benefits thus far overlooked.

For Judd Hesselroth, Programs Director in Microsoft’s Office of Legal Compliance, ISO 37001 equips organizations to strengthen their fight against bribery. “We think ISO 37001 is going to be an important tool for improving anti-corruption efforts worldwide,” he says. “The fact that the standard will be consistent across borders is also very important for companies doing business globally.”

Good governance is essential for an organization’s long-term survival – but what form should it take? There are no simple solutions but defining an appropriate approach to governance is fundamental to ensure favourable outcomes for society, organizations and stakeholders alike.

In the magazine’s opening comment, ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica underlines the importance of good governance for the future of ISO itself. “Yet, to be perceived as the best in the international class is not enough; we must be on a constant quest for progress and the regular evaluation of our stakeholders’ needs, expectations and satisfaction. Updating our set of governance documents at the last ISO General Assembly in Berlin was the occasion to do just that: provide increased clarity on important issues that were unresolved with the previous governance reviews.”

Finally, this latest issue puts the spotlight on the recently held 40th ISO General Assembly and the winner of this year’ Lawrence D. Eicher Award for excellence and superior performance.

If you’re thinking about using ISO standards or want to get ahead of the governance curve, look no further than the latest ISOfocus. We hope this issue gives you inspiration, insight and some new ideas of your own.

Read the latest ISOfocus to learn more.

Elizabeth Gasiorowski-Denis
Elizabeth Gasiorowski-Denis

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Elizabeth Gasiorowski-Denis
Editor-in-Chief of ISOfocus