Information Nation: Seven Keys to Information Management Compliance, Second Edition

Chapter 11. What Executive Responsibility Means

In the previous chapter, we examined why executive leadership and responsibility is so critical to the success of compliant Information Management programs. In this chapter we will discuss practical ways in which executives can exercise this leadership role.

Creating a Culture of Information Management Awareness

There are several things that senior executives can do to get the message across to all employees that IMC is important to the organization, is a core part if its day-to-day operations, and is central to its success.

The CEO Statement

Many organizations include a statement or introductory letter from the CEO, chief operating officer, or other high-level executive, as part of the new employee orientation manual provided to employees. This statement may also introduce a Records Management policy, appear on the intranet site that houses Information Management policies and procedures, and be inserted in an e-mail reminder. Whatever the vehicle, it is important that the employee gets the message from an executive.

Although the text of such a statement will naturally vary from organization to organization, its basic elements are:

1. Records and information are valuable assets that the company relies upon for a variety of business and legal purposes.

2. Properly managing information is central to the organization's success.

3. The Information Management program is designed to ensure that this information is available when the company needs it.

4. The ...