Training and Communicating: BSA for Everyday
Applying BSA Principles to Everyday Life
How Training Helps You Communicate Effectively
In the workplace, communication is key. No one knows that better than a BSA Officer, who is required to interact with just about everyone. But did you know that one of your required responsibilities, training, is helping you be a more effective communicator?
Here are some ways that training gives you strength in communicating.
- You understand how your organization works. Every institution is different. Depending on size, structure and staff, the infrastructure may vary – even from branch to branch. And because you have to tailor your training to the audience’s specific responsibilities, there is no one-size-fits-all method to do so.
The same goes for communicating in general. To be effective, it is important to understand your organizational structure. Who reports to whom? Who is responsible for what? Do roles overlap? When you know exactly whom you’re talking to, you’re able to successfully communicate your message.
- You convey the “why.” The best training programs convey why the material matters. Why is it important to report potentially suspicious activity? Why do we need to collect certain information at account opening? You may even take this a step further by showing staff why this will help them be successful in their job.
By giving context behind BSA/AML training, you actually teach your colleagues something. You don’t simply tell them what to do. When you get in the habit of conveying the why, you have a better chance of connecting with people.
- You don’t compromise quality for quickness. When it comes to training, there are many options. You can choose in-person training or online training, depending on different factors. While there are pros and cons to each, you know how important it is for the training to be thorough.
You’re busy. Staff is busy. Training takes time out of everyone’s schedules, but it is a critical piece of a strong culture of compliance. When you master the balance of efficiency and clarity in your training, you find yourself doing so in your day-to-day communication as well.
- You are a resource. The FFIEC BSA/AML Exam Manual states, “At a minimum, the bank’s training program must provide training to all personnel whose duties require knowledge of the BSA.” Since compliance extends to basically all areas of the institution, you have the chance to meet almost everyone. Ideally, this means that staff members see you as a resource – someone they can chat with, ask questions to, and always refer back to if they have questions about BSA.
By letting staff know that you’re available as a resource, you make yourself more approachable. As you know, everyone plays a role in compliance. So let them know that they are welcome to keep the conversation going even when training is done.
As a BSA/Compliance Officer, you have many great skills of which you should be proud. And while training can be time consuming, it certainly sharpens your communication skills and your relationships with your colleagues.
What other skills do you think training gives you? How else do you apply BSA to everyday? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Also, keep an eye out for our August Thought Leadership Webinar on the topic of “training the board.”
