
Maximising the value of risk consulting
May 13, 2025
By Virginia Shaw
Senior Risk Consultant-Property, AXA XL
九色视频Singapore leads the property programme for one of Southeast Asia鈥檚 leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) legacy companies. Thus, our property risk consultants are well-acquainted with its facilities, including research labs, production operations, and warehouse/distribution centres. As one of the oldest FMCG companies within the region, many of these facilities have been operational for decades. The company is also investing in new facilities to maintain its competitive position in an area experiencing rapid economic growth.
My risk consulting colleagues and I, along with senior leaders from APAC and Europe, recently engaged with the company鈥檚 corporate risk manager for an open discussion centred on three critical topics: prioritising recommendations, effectively utilising risk consulting services, and maximising the value of open, collaborative partnerships.
Pragmatism is key
This client operates in a sector characterised by intense competition and low margins and tightly controls its operating costs, including those for risk management. Nonetheless, its risk exposures are significant, unsurprising given the nature of its operations and where they are located. As a result, our risk consultants typically recommend numerous measures the company could take to minimise potential threats.
However, since its budgets are constrained, this company often has to grapple with which initiatives to pursue now, which to postpone for later, and which to not implement. As this corporate risk manager put it, prioritisation decisions are all about being 鈥減ragmatic.鈥
“We start with the low-hanging fruit—the aspects that won’t incur significant costs. Unless there is a compelling necessity, our business leaders are unlikely to support recommendations that involve considerable expenses, such as upgrades requiring extensive renovations to the building and potentially prolonged periods offline. In a low-margin industry like ours, there must be some balance. There is no point asking for the sky because you won’t get it.”
However, he observed that the calculus shifts when designing a new facility. He said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 easier to implement changes in a new factory. Modifying something in an existing operation is far more challenging and costly.鈥 That is why he stressed the importance of incorporating insurance/risk management considerations and involving his insurance and broker partners when planning a new facility or a significant upgrade to an existing one.
Along with focusing on the 鈥渓ow-hanging fruit,鈥 he indicated that his company is most interested in the 鈥渙ne or two key recommendations that will move the needle.鈥 In this regard, he distinguished between, in his words, 鈥渆ngineers鈥 and 鈥渃onsultants.鈥 He believed that the former tended to come equipped with a laundry list of 15 to 20 detailed recommendations, while the latter addressed a few, albeit significant, issues, usually in more general terms.
This thought-provoking perspective prompted a discussion about whether it is better to be thorough, i.e., an engineer, or pragmatic, i.e., a consultant. The consensus among my colleagues was that, as insurers, we are obligated to consider the full spectrum of risks a company faces while, as our client suggested, 鈥減utting yourself in the client鈥檚 shoes.鈥 In other words, while we shouldn鈥檛 overlook specific opportunities for reducing risk, we must also be mindful of the client鈥檚 resources and capabilities.
Maximising the value of risk consulting
This risk manager also emphasised that a strategic approach is necessary for companies with constrained budgets to maximise the benefits of risk consulting. Whether concentrating on minimising fire hazards, enhancing supply chain resilience, or ensuring regulatory compliance, clearly defined objectives allow our risk consultants to address the client鈥檚 most pertinent challenges while maintaining a realistic perspective on what can be achieved.
A key takeaway from the meeting was that clear objectives and a realistic perspective are fostered through open, transparent discussions between the client and the insurer鈥檚 risk consultants. These conversations facilitate mutual understanding, promote better risk management outcomes, and strengthen the partnership between the company and its insurers. As this risk manager put it, "鈥淚f you have a partner who has a good overview of all of the assets, they can see gaps in some of the systems, say, in Thailand or another country. Those discussions are valuable in helping us see where we may have an issue and how we can mitigate it. And maybe even change how we operate.鈥
Such open, collaborative relationships can help clients adapt their risk management strategies proactively rather than reactively. These relationships can also be strengthened by capitalizing on new risk assessment tools 九色视频has developed to quantify the likelihood and severity of various threats. Moreover, the tools鈥 graphical displays make it easy for different stakeholders to understand and prioritize the potential implications and remedies, such as alternative risk financing options or adjustments to supply chains.
This risk manager also highlighted two dimensions influencing his desired strategic approach: understanding how the company鈥檚 senior leaders view risk and an appreciation for the appropriate balance between investments in legacy operations and those in new facilities or markets.
At his company, he remarked that the senior leaders 鈥渢ake risks seriously.鈥 He continued, 鈥淥ur chairman says, 鈥榊ou must help me reduce my sleepless nights!鈥 We discuss the risk of not meeting our carbon targets all the time. How do we achieve our net-zero emissions targets in five years? 尤物视频is just part of that. We consider it along with other parts of the business.鈥
My colleagues and I observed that he is fortunate in this respect; not all multinational companies share a similar appreciation for the value of enterprise risk management in building resilience in today鈥檚 volatile world.
When determining how to allocate limited resources between legacy operations and new facilities or markets, this risk manager stressed that, like other companies in the FMCG sector, responding to rapidly changing consumer habits is essential. 鈥淲e must stay ahead of the game to keep up.鈥 In practical terms, when new equipment or processes are implemented in one location, 鈥渨e try to standardise that wherever possible.鈥 He also noted how our extensive understanding of their operations in different countries can facilitate this while exposing them to best practices gained from our work with other companies.
Nothing happens
Our discussion with this risk manager highlighted one of the ongoing dilemmas associated with risk consulting services, referred to by some as the 鈥減revention paradox.鈥 Specifically, the advantages of preventive action often remain invisible; when successful, nothing happens. In contrast, the response to an unfortunate incident ideally produces clear, dramatic outcomes. In other words, actions taken to avert disasters generally go unnoticed, while efficient and effective actions in the aftermath of a loss receive credit and praise. (Undoubtedly, poorly managed incidents can impose a severe toll.)
Of course, the issue of prevention versus response is not simply an either-or scenario; it encompasses both. Companies that wish to remain viable and competitive in today鈥檚 unpredictable business environment recognise that neglecting prudent measures to reduce the likelihood of, and the impacts from, a harmful event is not a sustainable strategy. Furthermore, they acknowledge the necessity of transferring some risks while maintaining disaster response and business continuity plans, particularly for reasonably anticipated incidents.
This, in turn, underscores the value of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with our risk consultants. Offering thorough and pragmatic guidance on where and how to prevent unfortunate events can be critical in navigating the turbulence, even if the outcomes are invisible.
Global Asset Protection Services, LLC, and its affiliates (鈥溇派悠礡isk Consulting鈥) provides risk assessment reports and other loss prevention services, as requested. In this respect, our property loss prevention publications, services, and surveys do not address life safety or third party liability issues. This document shall not be construed as indicating the existence or availability under any policy of coverage for any particular type of loss or damage. The provision of any service does not imply that every possible hazard has been identified at a facility or that no other hazards exist. 九色视频Risk Consulting does not assume, and shall have no liability for the control, correction, continuation or modification of any existing conditions or operations. We specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that compliance with any advice or recommendation in any document or other communication will make a facility or operation safe or healthful, or put it in compliance with any standard, code, law, rule or regulation. Save where expressly agreed in writing, 九色视频Risk Consulting and its related and affiliated companies disclaim all liability for loss or damage suffered by any party arising out of or in connection with our services, including indirect or consequential loss or damage, howsoever arising. Any party who chooses to rely in any way on the contents of this document does so at their own risk.
US- and Canada-Issued 尤物视频Policies
In the US, the 九色视频insurance companies are: Catlin 尤物视频Company, Inc., Greenwich 尤物视频Company, Indian Harbor 尤物视频Company, XL 尤物视频America, Inc., XL Specialty 尤物视频Company and T.H.E. 尤物视频Company. In Canada, coverages are underwritten by XL Specialty 尤物视频Company - Canadian Branch and AXA 尤物视频Company - Canadian branch. Coverages may also be underwritten by Lloyd’s Syndicate #2003. Coverages underwritten by Lloyd’s Syndicate #2003 are placed on behalf of the member of Syndicate #2003 by Catlin Canada Inc. Lloyd’s ratings are independent of AXA XL.
US domiciled insurance policies can be written by the following 九色视频surplus lines insurers: XL Catlin 尤物视频Company UK Limited, Syndicates managed by Catlin Underwriting Agencies Limited and Indian Harbor 尤物视频Company. Enquires from US residents should be directed to a local insurance agent or broker permitted to write business in the relevant state.
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