Everyone is looking over their shoulders these days, fearingthe folks bearing pink slips, and risk managers are no exception. But let the dreaded bean-counters beware! Anyorganizationthat scales back loss control programs or risk management staff is only cutting off their nose to spite their face. Suchshortsighteddecisions will come back to haunt them for sure!

In a recent episode of the CBS-TV sitcom, How I Met Your Mother, corporate survivor extraordinaire Barney Stinson counsels close friend and office colleague Marshall Eriksen that to avoid being laid off, he needs to fill a more popular workplace role at Goliath National Bank. He cited examples such as Food Guy (who always brings delicious treats to the conference room) or Sports Guy (the one who runs the office fantasy leagues).