![“Over the course of four days at NACD Summit 2023, speakers pushed nearly 1,500 in-person and virtual attendees to think about new approaches and ways of thinking about their roles as directors in a world of crisis. […] One area that is an emerging risk in today’s environment is a company’s reputation. ‘We failed to predict that trust could be a target, just like information systems, and that there are entities out there that want you to diminish trust in our institutions…’”](https://steelcityre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231122b-Steel-City-Re-1.jpg)
“Over the course of four days at NACD Summit 2023, speakers pushed nearly 1,500 in-person and virtual attendees to think about new approaches and ways of thinking about their roles as directors in a world of crisis. […] One area that is an emerging risk in today’s environment is a company’s reputation. ‘We failed to predict that trust could be a target, just like information systems, and that there are entities out there that want you to diminish trust in our institutions…’”
Tolerable Risk podcast. 🔊 My guest is Nir Kossovsky, CEO of Steel City Re and an expert in the area of reputational risk management. Nir has the most interesting background which gives him multiple perspectives on the topic of reputational risk.
During the episode, Nir and I discuss:
👀 What “agitation” and “behavior perils” are and why you should be aware of them
🤔 Why perception is as important (if not more!) than reality
💰 How taking an active approach to reputational risk management can help you with fundraising
🦁 And how it all starts with courage
✅ Nir also discusses how the “Big Six” – Ethics, Innovation, Safety, Security, Sustainability, and Quality – are the best place to begin.
![Reputational risk from $1.5 Trillion ESG debt. Bankers servicing one of the world’s biggest ESG debt markets are now actively seeking legal protections to guard against the potential greenwashing allegations that may be ahead. […] Lawyers advising SLL bankers say the reputational risks associated with mislabeling such products are now too big to ignore.](https://steelcityre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231107-Steel-City-Re.jpg)
Reputational risk from $1.5 Trillion ESG debt. Bankers servicing one of the world’s biggest ESG debt markets are now actively seeking legal protections to guard against the potential greenwashing allegations that may be ahead. […] Lawyers advising SLL bankers say the reputational risks associated with mislabeling such products are now too big to ignore.
![Mitigate value-destroying legal risk. For Fox, Kossovsky said. “This new reputation at FOX Corporation, if it [is] indeed forming, is or will be value-destroying.”](https://steelcityre.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20231016b-Steel-City-Re.jpg)
Fox experienced a surge in reputational risk in the summer of 2021, according to reputational risk insurance provider Steel City Re’s resilience monitor. […] “Reputation risk is usually triggered by missed expectations,” Kossovsky said. “Arguably, stakeholders expected that Rupert Murdoch would once again pull the organization back from the brink after an ethically questionable strategy went sour. They’ve been disappointed.”
In the past six months, more than $130 billion in shareholder value was lost by 39 banks due to reputational risk—the risk of unmet stakeholder expectations resulting in incinerated business value–flawed stakeholder intelligence.
CEO’s Conviction SEC Charges. “Boards should demand… intelligence on stakeholder expectations,” said Kossovsky.
Southwest Airlines reputation crisis. At crisis day 277, Southwest equity is under performing the S&P500 index by 36.5%.
Tech companies changed policies. “(S)parking outsized emotional reactions, Kossovsky said,…are a hallmark of matters carrying serious reputational risks.”
“Lightning does strike,” (Kossovsky) said, but firms that can demonstrate that they have developed effective governance systems and implemented thoughtful risk management experience a much different impact: “That’s where enterprise risk management creates value.”
Reputation insurer Steel City Re is offering boards of directors access to its proprietary reputation volatility metrics (RVM) reports as a standalone product in response to recent bank crises. Reputation value volatility case studies. “Volatility can indicate shifting stakeholder expectations preceding stock price collapses.”