Selected managers talk about WW Business Standards

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Special Report: WW BUSINESS STANDARDS

4 questions for 4 GMs

We have asked five GMs from different parts of the world their opinions on the following questions: 1: What are your expectations of WW Business Standards?

2: How will it influence the way you do business?

3: How do you plan to communicate WW Business Standards to your employees?

4: Are bribery and corruption a problem where you operate? Any examples – and how did you solve them?

Text Marius Steen

Eric Wilson, WSS BRAZIL

1

Newly appointed temporary GM Brazil explained‘I expect very clear standardised governing rules with little flexibility. In Brazil, clear borders and concrete rules are the only measures that work.’

2

Eric explains that there is strong governance already in Brazil – a new law enforces this.

On January 29th this year, the Brazilian government­ passed a law “extension” to further combat co­r­ruption and bribery: ‘The government is heavily enforcing this law, and it is truly for the better for all industries. WSS in Brazil have already trained mana­ gers toward the law implications and consequences,’ he says.

Procurement and Finance are already aligned with governance processes. WSS Brazil has strict cash and money systems in place to prevent any kind of fraud.

‘So in many ways the change has already begun to happen, but WW Business Standards will take compliance one step further,’ he says.

3

‘Our team has made some excellent experiences and harvested good learnings since January because of the new law. To communicate our new Business Standards we will gather all employees and arrange so-called town hall meetings. Everyone will get the message. Alongside initiatives from Oslo, we will utilise our own local initiatives to highlight this new project. All communication will focus on awareness of the campaign, and demonstrate the seriousness of the topic and what the compliance requirements are.’

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4

‘Corruption has always been illegal in Brazil.

However, the new law brings new power for the government towards striking down upon corruption cases. The liability question is for example broader now, which causes more roles to be exposed. Worst case, your business can be shut down and you be sent to jail.’

Eric says the government has introduced a new big brother system, which watches out for non-compliance, called eSocial. This system increases transparency for Brazilian businesses and individuals, and is a very good step in the right direction to rid the country of poor conduct: ‘Brazil needs to be more competitive, cleaner and more transparent to become a more respected country and business partner. Clear rules are the only way to go.’

‘Customers demand that we have procedures in place and information on our processes, and that we comply. Also, our revised contracts with vendors have clauses where we can audit them, run due diligence, spot checks and when we demand training for partners they have to participate.

This way we can document our partner’s knowledge of our Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption legislation. We follow rules and we demand that everyone we work with do the same – we have the law on our side.’

‘Any examples of corruption? Our Santos Safety Station could have been finished in 4-5 months. However, we have a strong focus on compliance and because of that it took almost two years to get the approvals done and the station built. We simply worked the right way. Our process was stalled by third parties. Unfortunately, some individuals may still be corrupt. Examples happen here and there. We stand fast against this behaviour.’

‘This is a never-ending process. We permanently seek improvements and corrections. However, so far partners and authorities enjoy the new standards set by WSS in Brazil.’

Brazil needs to be more competitive, cleaner and more trans­parent to become a more respected country and business partner. Clear rules is the only way to go.

Eric Wilson, WSS BRAZIL

The more big operators that put anti-corruption on their agenda, the smaller the problem will become.

Espen sending, WSM Kuala Lumpur

Harald Lundestad, WSS Singapore

Espen Sending, WSM KUALA LUMPUR

Peter Stockley, WTS oslo

1

1

1

‘That they will make all our employees aware of the revised Code of Conduct. I also hope that employer expectations are clear; what do we expect each person to be aware of and capable of after the rollout is complete. This drive will be a very important tool in our dealings with big clients. In general, they all expect that we have programs like WW Business Standards in place, with employees well aware of what good compliance really is – both everything related to anti-corruption, but also to safety,’ says Harald.

2

‘In Singapore the level of corruption is much lower that in surrounding countries. But we still need a moral compass to help guide us towards correct decisions when dilemmas occur. WW Business Standards are important tools for us when selling our services to large clients.’

3

‘We will arrange workshops and different activities for all our employees. It would create enormous negative consequences should we not follow rules and regulations related to compliance.’

4

‘Singapore officials in general are not corrupt.

Our challenge lies in some suppliers trying to bribe our employees into giving them advantages that they normally would not get. I have myself experienced offers of kickbacks. Singapore is a country that values compliance. However, there are unfortunately always cases of bad practice from time to time.’

‘I expect our employees to better educated on best practice relating to anti-corruption. WW Business Standards is expected to provide real tools for real situations. There will be difficult decisions to make, and under great pressure. So it’s good to know that you can discuss a problem with someone close to you.’

2

‘The more big operators that put anti-corruption on their agenda, the smaller the problem will become.

We operate with crew from all over the world, with ships on all oceans and ports. Some countries are more demanding than others. Our biggest challenge is our own operational structure. 11 000 people must know our Code of Conduct and how to be compliant. I hope that WW Business Standards will give an overview of our challenges, and provide solutions on how to include all employees. It will take time to get this in place, but it is also of the utmost importance.’

3

‘ WSM will focus on all office personnel to conduct eLearning in combination with initiatives from WW. The manning offices will require special resources, as they are our keys for reaching and educating our crews. WSM will also use our Officers’ Conferences.’

4

‘Corruption may occur in many countries. WW Business Standards grabs the bull by its horns by dealing with these issues,’ says Mr Sending.

He expects proper backing from everyone, from managers to every single employee.

‘I expect WW Business Standards to help create greater conformity in the way we act and deal with dilemmas that we face in our daily business life. This is important for how we are perceived by our stakeholders.

If that perception is improved, then we have a success.

‘From a bribery perspective, it is becoming trickier out there, especially outside Europe. The real issue is to implement WW Business Standards so that the organisation does not regard them as restrictions on how we do business, but rather that they will help us to conduct business in line with our values.’

2

‘Contracts have not been won because we insist on compliance. External agents will always create a challenge, some do not feel a strong connection to our core values. We need to be practical, but always stay within the law. Risk management and enhancing our reputation are definitely key factors.’

3

‘Every manager has to confirm in writing, that they have delivered the message and performed the tasks required. In short, relay the message in the right language and the right way, to every individual and all parts of WTS.

4

‘One example: fronting European values in different cultures can be difficult. A shipyard demanded a kickback on a contract. We refused, and someone else got the order.

Some markets are challenging when it comes to corruption. Protecting and strengthening our repu­t ation is vital for our business. Therefore we must stick to it,’ says Peter Stockley.

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