An Example Of ERM Need in Happy Meal Toys

MacDonalds is being sued for the toys in their happy meals, as kids are "lured" to eat unhealthy cheeseburgers and fries. This obviously is a ridiculus law suit because parents can surely not buy the meals and choose to feed their children better. This case however does bring up a great conversation about enterprise risk managment. Let me discuss it here. Good ERM would have had the top brass at MacDonalds looking at the big picture. America is getting fatter and more unhealthy. MacDonalds has to know that their high sodium, high calorie meals are not helping the situation. A good ERM strategy would be to change their marketing and get rid of the toys. Maybe place some educational materials in the happy meals on how to eat healthy. Maybe they could add some sliced apples to the meals. Either way a holistic ERM view would have helped MacDonalds reduce the risk of a law suit. Now MacDonald's is probably laughing at the law suit, but they certainly are not laughing at the media attention it is getting. Also what happens if the law suit gets some traction and they have to settle? Wow, it could make an impact. Think that companies are not serious about ERM? Just look at Chick Filet, they put books in their kids meals. Now that is good risk managment !   Until next time be careful out there and know your risks. K

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