Risk assessment - an opportunity for your company
Since 2008, public limited companies and limited liability companies have been required to carry out a risk assessment. But many companies find this difficult. By Michael Krampf, lic. iur., lawyer, legal expert and editor at the Beobachter Advisory Center.
Andreas W., managing director of a company that develops and sells software in the field of sustainable energy, was not at all enthusiastic when he heard about the new obligation to carry out a risk analysis. He wanted to get this tedious compulsory exercise over with quickly. But once he had carried out the assessment together with his trustee, he changed his mind. He recognized weak points in the company that he was not aware of before the risk assessment, but which he could now remedy with simple measures. Since then, Andreas W. has carried out a review at regular intervals using the risk list.
Many entrepreneurs feel the same way as Andreas W., if they have finally been able to bring themselves to carry out a risk analysis. But many see it as nothing more than a legal paper tiger. Wrongly, because the analysis has several advantages:
- Sharpening risk awareness: Entrepreneurs often only become aware of risks that they were previously unaware of during the analysis.
- Optimization of insurance cover: Only those who know their risks can assess against which they need insurance at all. It is therefore possible that a company has unnecessary insurance or insurance that excludes an existing risk even though it exists.
- Avoidance of benefit reductions: Anyone who fails to take suitable measures to avoid or limit risks must expect a reduction in benefits in the event of a claim.
Ideally, you should commission a neutral insurance consultant to screen your company for potential risks. You will need to invest a few days and a few thousand francs for this. If you are not prepared to do this and the circumstances in your company are manageable, a simplified assessment will suffice. Sit down with a specialist trustee who knows your industry inside out. If this is not possible, carry out the analysis with your own trustee. It is important that you can discuss the matter with someone who knows your business and who is also prepared to ask you critical questions.
Together with the trustee, you go through the possible risks using a checklist or you use software that is available for a few hundred francs. The analysis takes a few hours the first time you carry it out. Later, you only need to check whether the current situation still corresponds to the risk catalog. One hour is enough for this.
Many entrepreneurs feel the same way as Andreas W., if they have finally been able to bring themselves to carry out a risk analysis. But many see it as nothing more than a legal paper tiger. Wrongly, because the analysis has several advantages:
- Sharpening risk awareness: Entrepreneurs often only become aware of risks that they were previously unaware of during the analysis.
- Optimization of insurance cover: Only those who know their risks can assess against which they need insurance at all. It is therefore possible that a company has unnecessary insurance or insurance that excludes an existing risk even though it exists.
- Avoidance of benefit reductions: Anyone who fails to take suitable measures to avoid or limit risks must expect a reduction in benefits in the event of a claim.
Ideally, you should commission a neutral insurance consultant to screen your company for potential risks. You will need to invest a few days and a few thousand francs for this. If you are not prepared to do this and the circumstances in your company are manageable, a simplified assessment will suffice. Sit down with a specialist trustee who knows your industry inside out. If this is not possible, carry out the analysis with your own trustee. It is important that you can discuss the matter with someone who knows your business and who is also prepared to ask you critical questions.
Together with the trustee, you go through the possible risks using a checklist or you use software that is available for a few hundred francs. The analysis takes a few hours the first time you carry it out. Later, you only need to check whether the current situation still corresponds to the risk catalog. One hour is enough for this.
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The Beobachter's new service: competent legal advice for SMEs and their employees. 6 months for only Fr. 99.- (introductory price).
You can reach the legal experts Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 043 444 54 09. You also have full access to the advice platform Helponline.ch and an Beobachter magazine every 14 days. The price also includes a gift: the standard work for SMEs from Beobachter-Buchverlag,
"How to get your money", worth CHF 48.
Order the consulting subscription for SMEs at: www.werbewoche.ch or by phone: 0800 83 0800.
