Leveraging Compliance and Crafting Compelling Narratives

In today’s whirlwind of change, businesses face a regulatory landscape that’s not just evolving—it’s transforming in ways few could have anticipated. I believe this shift results from two key factors: the increasing transparency in how organisations operate and the growing expectations of customers, regulators, and decision-makers.

Corporate scandals, economic crises, and environmental failures have paved the way for today’s highly dynamic compliance landscape. This has resulted in more complex compliance requirements than ever before. Today, this has become a double-edged sword: when embraced, it equips organisations to stay competitive, mitigate risks, and future-proof their operations against external shocks. It is a powerful equaliser, fostering a fair and competitive playing field among peers.

However, compliance can also act as a constraint. For some organisations—particularly those with limited resources—it can slow innovation and detract from their core purpose. Constant updates to directives and regulations demand significant investments in time, energy, and capital, creating additional challenges and distractions. For many, compliance becomes a balancing act: navigating between adhering to regulations and focusing on growth and creativity.

This raises a critical question: how can organisations turn compliance into a strategic advantage? The answer lies in rethinking compliance as more than a box-ticking exercise. By aligning compliance with customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and organisational capabilities, businesses can transform it into a powerful storytelling tool and a driver of tangible business value.

Here are two real-world examples illustrating how organisations have successfully leveraged compliance to create compelling narratives and strengthen their brand value and stakeholder proposition.

Leveraging Compliance to Enhance Customer Experience and Protection

Apple Inc.

• The Requirement: Privacy and Data Security Regulations. Some of the regulations that Apple needs to comply with are the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and EU GDPR.
• The Leverage: Apple transformed the compliance narrative into a customer-centric value proposition by empowering users to take control of their data. They have positioned their narrative around the core belief that users should have clear insights and control over their personal information. In doing so, they have introduced features like App Tracking Transparency and educational initiatives such as “Taking Charge of Your Privacy on iPhone.” These efforts give users the tools and knowledge to decide how, when, and with whom their data is shared. This reinforces Apple’s commitment to privacy as a fundamental right.

• The Takeaway: Compliance is non-negotiable, but how an organisation positions its stance using compliance must be carefully considered. By aligning regulatory requirements with customer priorities, businesses can create narratives that address compliance while building trust and enhancing customer experience. Rather than sailing against the wind, organisations can use compliance as a springboard to craft powerful messages that resonate with their audience and demonstrate an acknowledgement of real-world concerns.

Leveraging Compliance to Drive Ethical and Responsible Business Practices

Tata Steel

• The Requirement: Environmental and Mining Safety and Conduct Regulations. These regulations are mandated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and DGMS (Directorate General of Mines Safety).
• The Leverage: Tata Steel has positioned itself as a pioneer in sustainable mining by leveraging its heritage of over 100 years in the industry. The company integrates sustainability, safety, social responsibility, and community engagement into a singular narrative that aligns regulatory compliance with business purpose. Backed by robust corporate processes, Tata Steel has established measurable short- and medium-term objectives to substantiate its commitments. These efforts are anchored in technical rigour, incorporating tools like environmental impact assessments, mine closure reports, and a comprehensive tailings management system—essential components in mining sustainability. By showcasing the outcomes of these initiatives, Tata Steel has effectively developed compelling case studies that demonstrate measurable value to communities and the environment.
• The Takeaway: Multiple regulatory requirements should not be viewed as standalone but as parts of a larger puzzle and strategy. Organisations must weave these requirements into their overarching purpose and vision, using them to create a compelling narrative that resonates with stakeholders and reflects their unique position in the market.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Aditya Vasan Singla

Aditya Vasan Singla is a Principal at Astrum, India’s first specialist reputation management advisory that uses science to understand and shape public opinion.

Aditya brings nearly a decade of diverse experience in strategy and management consulting, primarily focusing on ESG Strategy, Institutionalisation, Transformation, and Communications. He has dedicated most of his professional career to consulting firms such as PwC and ERM, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing clients' ESG performance, systems, and processes.

Aditya excels in developing institutional frameworks for organisational restructuring and collaborates closely with senior management to integrate ESG strategy into business as usual and initiate ESG transformation.
Aditya holds an M.A. in Economics and Geography from the University of Aberdeen and an M.Sc. in Environmental Economics and Climate Change from the London School of Economics and Political Science.