Bobby Butler on the Compliance Profession and the Future of Compliance

Bobby Butler joins Michael Volkov on this episode of Corruption, Crime and Compliance, to explore the evolution of compliance over 20 years. While enforcement actions sparked major progress, Bobby contends compliance is moving firmly into the realm of competitive advantage and performance multiplier. Millennials and younger generations ‘vote with their feet’, demanding ethical cultures, so compliance may increasingly drive talent retention as well.  

Bobby Butler has over 20 years of experience building world-class ethics and compliance programs. In his early career, he investigated export control issues and quickly became passionate about compliance. Known for his persistence and commitment to finding solutions, he is a pioneer who helped elevate compliance from an ad hoc function to a strategic asset.

You’ll hear Michael and Bobby discuss:

• In the early 2000s, compliance programs were sparked by reactions to major DOJ enforcements rather than proactive investments. Companies finally dedicated ample resources when faced with "shock and awe" consequences.
• Bobby got his start investigating export controls issues at Conoco after unlawful server exports to Syria. He quickly became passionate about trade compliance and then FCPA compliance during the explosion of enforcements in the mid-2000s.
• Working at ground zero compliance teams at Vetco and Baker Hughes during monitorships gave Bobby deep experience with elements of gold standard compliance programs long before codified evaluation criteria.
• Bobby argues justifying significant resources without an enforcement action catalyst remains extremely challenging. Compliance fights for a seat at the table and has to insert compliance considerations into business meetings.  
• Persistence and consistency in messaging are critical for credibility and influence as a compliance officer. Strong yet flexible personalities tend to thrive compared to introverts.
• Compliance has to focus on finding creative solutions to enable opportunities: frame compliance as a competitive advantage and performance multiplier.
• Tactics Bobby used to persuade executives include tying bonuses to compliance training completion, positioning compliance in sales materials and constant insertion into business meetings.
• The compliance skill set has grown into a dedicated career path with specialized education channels, not just a secondary legal role. 
• Bobby sees government enforcements continuing to increase given complex technologies and geopolitics.

KEY QUOTES

“...we have to find ways for the business to grow. We've got to be sitting there at the table with them thinking of solutions. The more brain power you put at problem solving and doing it in a compliant way, that's how you build trust with people.” - Bobby Butler

“And every day that goes by, when there's not a compliance issue and you can certify that controls have passed and the elements are there and you have outside counsel come in and do an assessment of your program and you continuously improve and each day goes by and you don't have an issue. Well, there's another positive impact to the investment and the return on shareholder value and more importantly, the company brand.” - Bobby Butler

“...we're out there preaching the good news that compliance can be a good thing. Because at the end of the day, when the company does get in trouble, compliance sets policy, sets voluntary boundaries where the law sets mandatory boundaries.” - Bobby Butler

Resources

Bobby Butler on LinkedIn