Leading Trade Compliance from the Top Down

Episode Recap:

In the debut podcast episode, Simply Trade hosts Lalo and Andy discuss the critical importance of setting the right tone for leading trade compliance from the top down. They’re joined by expert Trudy Wilson, who shares best practices gleaned from years of experience helping companies navigate complex compliance requirements.

Trudy emphasizes that compliance can’t be an afterthought – it must be a priority aligned with business goals. The first step is understanding your company’s vision, culture, and industry to craft an effective strategy. Regulations vary significantly between sectors like chemicals, clothing, and more.

Compliance also requires support from the C-suite. As Trudy explains, “If the message isn’t coming from corporate, you might as well be banging your head on a brick wall.” Gaining executive buy-in helps set expectations that compliance is everyone’s responsibility, from the boardroom to the warehouse.

Defining your role is another key consideration. Will you act as an advisor overseeing others’ work, or take a hands-on approach doing tasks yourself? The optimal structure depends on your organization’s needs.

Educating employees across departments on their compliance obligations is vital too. Trudy recommends clear, visual communications like infographics and lunch-and-learns to spread awareness without overwhelming busy staff.

Partnering closely with purchasing is especially important. As Andy notes, vendors only provide compliant paperwork when compliance is involved from the start. Ensuring purchase orders specify tariff codes and other key data upfront saves headaches down the line.

Storytelling brings Trudy’s wisdom to life. She shares examples of companies realizing how vulnerable non-compliance leaves them once gaps are assessed. Listening helps avoid common pitfalls like information overload or exclusion from early-stage decisions.

For any organization struggling to tame the “compliance beast,” this podcast provides a roadmap. Follow Trudy’s guidance to gain leadership support, communicate simply, and position compliance proactively for smoother global trade.

Learn more about Trudy Wilson

Listen to the full podcast on any streaming platform.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?si=84808b9ba42a4072

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690