Essential elements of an effective compliance program
More and more organizations are recognizing that ethical behavior isn’t just good for business—it’s essential.
Companies with strong cultures of integrity benefit from:
- Higher employee retention
- Stronger brand reputation
- Increased diversity and inclusion
- Higher investor confidence
A culture of ethics doesn’t just check the box on compliance—it fosters long-term business success. But how do you go beyond policies on paper to create meaningful, lasting behavior change?
Here are three strategies to increase the impact of your compliance program and make ethics a core part of your company’s DNA.Making learning stick
Compliance training should do more than just transfer knowledge—it should drive behavior change. But employees have different learning styles, and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it.
Instead, leverage a multi-modal learning experience that includes:
📌 Scenario-based training – Real-world ethical dilemmas help employees practice decision-making before they encounter risk.
📌 Just-in-time learning – Short, targeted refreshers (like microlearning) reinforce key concepts when employees need them most.
📌 Adaptive training – Employees should demonstrate 100% mastery before moving on, ensuring they retain critical knowledge.
Studies show that learning methods based on behavioral science—such as scenario-based training and spaced reinforcement—improve knowledge retention and application.
Make compliance engaging
Let’s be honest—compliance training has a staying power problem. Employees may complete a once-a-year course, but will they remember what they learned when it matters most?
Research from Deloitte finds that repeated, engaging messaging is essential for building ethical instincts (Deloitte Insights, 2023). That means:
🎭 Use storytelling – People remember narratives, not policies. Use case studies, real-world dilemmas, and interactive content to make training memorable.
🎨 Make it visual – Eye-catching posters, infographics, and short videos keep compliance messages top of mind throughout the year.
🎤 Encourage conversations – Interactive discussions, manager-led training, and ethical dilemma workshops reinforce learning in context.
When used appropriately, humor and storytelling can enhance engagement and retention. Research shows that humor in learning fosters critical thinking, sparks creativity, helps learners navigate emotionally challenging topics, and empowers them to become agents of change.
Reinforce ethics every day
A one-and-done compliance course doesn’t create an ethical workplace. To truly embed compliance into company culture, organizations need ongoing reinforcement.
📣 Think like a marketer – Compliance professionals should borrow from marketing strategies to repeatedly communicate ethical expectations.
🔄 Use multi-channel messaging – Reinforce key compliance topics through email campaigns, Slack or Teams messages, digital posters, and quick-hit microlearning.
🛠 Give managers the tools to lead – Train managers to have real conversations about ethics, ensuring compliance isn't just a policy—but a workplace norm.
Behavioral science tells us that frequent exposure and reinforcement are key to building new habits. Compliance training should be an ongoing journey—not a single event.
The bottom line
Shaping ethical behavior is hard. But by making compliance training engaging, relevant, and continuously reinforced, organizations can embed ethics into daily decision-making.
The result? A stronger compliance culture, reduced risk, and a more successful business.
This post was updated on 6 March 2025 to reflect to insights and industry updates.
Carly Chasin, Director, Compliance Insights & Strategy, helps customers build and evolve their compliance training strategy.
With a background in education and compliance, her focus is delivering effective, pedagogically sound training that engages learners and aligns with organizational program needs.
