2008 Fastest Growing Business
1-5 Years
Acuity Group received the award for Fastest Growing Business in 2008 at the Vancouver Business Journal's Business Growth Awards on Thursday, April 16.
This is Acuity's second Business Growth Award in two years; last year Acuity was honored as 2007 Start-Up Business of the Year.
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Following the Leader
"Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means"....Albert Einstein
A client of ours, we'll call him Jim; engaged us to conduct a fraud investigation after it was discovered his accounts payable clerk had written a check to her personal credit card in the amount of $2,500. Jim had been in business for over 30 years, having created a very successful fruit growing, packing, and shipping facility; along with an international sales and marketing division.
Our investigation uncovered an ongoing accounts payable scheme that resulted in losses to Jim's company in excess of $500,000. As Jim saw it, he had two choices. He could choose to keep this quiet and keep his stellar business reputation unmarred; or, he could file a police report and attempt to prosecute the former A/P clerk to the fullest extent of the law.
He chose to prosecute.
But, Jim wanted to do more than file a police report. He wanted to communicate to each and every one of his employees that the behavior of the former A/P clerk was unacceptable. But how to do that? A mass email? A company meeting?
Jim wanted something more powerful.
When it came time to file the police report; the kind clerk at the department's office offered to send down the next available detective. But this wouldn't do for Jim. He asked her to send a deputy and he specifically asked her to have him park at the front of the building.
The department must have sent the tallest, most able-bodied deputy they had! In full uniform, with taser, night stick, and gun attached to his belt; he was led through the reception area, past the sales department, and back through the accounting department for all of his employees to see. What better tone to set than to SHOW his employees what he intended if any of them decided to steal from him.
Tone Starts at the Top
Jim's story is an excellent example of a business owner setting the tone that fraud is not tolerated. And like Jim, it is up to you as business owners and managers to minimize the risk of fraud within your organization. The example you set for the people who work with you and for you is the lead they are going to follow. You set the pace and culture for the work place and those who report to you will adjust themselves to adhere to the example you set.
No matter how small your business, set clear standards from the beginning by implementing a company-wide written code of conduct, as well as an employee manual. Having written standards levels the playing field and keeps rules from being arbitrary. The rules apply to everyone equally. And, by everyone, it means even you.
Do you show up at work on time? Do you run personal or excessive expenses through the company? Do you follow the same "rules" you set for your employees? If you show up 15 minutes late everyday and spend hours on the phone making personal calls, you can expect your employees will soon follow suit.
Businesses also tend to become more vulnerable to fraud when the owner takes on an "it can't happen to me" attitude. This attitude is seen frequently among business owners who believe they know their employees well (i.e. trust too much, verify too little), have a hands-off approach to their business, and believe they already have strong internal controls in place; even though processes, procedures, and employee manuals may not have been updated in years. Do you ask questions and expect to see appropriate support for expenses? Have you evaluated your current cash receipt and cash disbursement procedures? Even if you think you are doing everything right, fraud can still happen.
It is up to you to be vigilant, stay vigilant, watch for signs, and take immediate action when any suspicions arise. If you don't do it, you certainly cannot expect anyone else will either. |
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We Are Growing!
Acuity has brought on our very first employee! Please join us in  welcoming Heather Pace to the team. Heather serves as our Project Development Coordinator.
With over 10 years experience as a technical writer, she is reponsible for all facets of engagement administration, including document management, and technical writing. She is also the force behind our newsletter and marketing materials. |
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Our New Look
Our website is completely new!
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