
1
RISK MANAGEMENT IN A
NUTSHELL
Starting with the basics
Just what is risk management?
The term ‘risk management’ can mean many different things to differ-
ent people. To some the phrase is exciting – it’s all about taking and
managing risks. To others the phrase is a big turn-off – it reeks of con-
trol and bureaucracy. However you look at it, in a world of uncertainty,
risk is inevitable and actually desirable. If we had no uncertainty and
therefore no risk, then life, including business life, would be predictable,
unrewarding and boring.
So maybe the term risk management needs to be dissected. Risk
is ‘exciting’ but management is ‘boring’?