The festive season is a time of joy and a time where families and friends gather to simply give thanks for the year that they have enjoyed and celebrate the joy of each other’s company and giving. However, sadly it is also a season of taking.
Criminal syndicates know that business premises will by and large be empty during the festive season – that many people will have left their homes to spend time with family in other locations. This provides them the perfect opportunity to enrich themselves through robbery. However, there are other dangers, aside from the theft of physical assets during the festive period. There are employees who will still visit the business premises – to finish off projects or to simply make use of the equipment to ensure that they have discharged all their duties prior to taking time off. These employees are at risk of robbery and physical harm due to their isolation.
But it’s not only empty business premises that present an opportunity for theft. The festive season sees retail outlets admit a huge number of shoppers, often far in excess of the normal foot traffic they are used to dealing with. These crowded conditions make it far easier for shoplifters and other criminals to make off with valuable items. A manager or any other employee will be stretched to breaking point dealing with legitimate shoppers – and simply cannot monitor everyone on the premises.
All these factors should be carefully evaluated by business owners. After careful consideration, it should be obvious that retaining the services of a professional security company over the festive season is absolutely essential.
In the case of retail establishments, the installation of additional remotely monitored CCTV cameras can deter thieves by their very presence. However, there are still those who will rely on crowds to cover their criminal activity. Careful monitoring and the ability to respond professionally when criminal activity is spotted is the key to reducing theft and a negative impact on the bottom line of the business.
Festive season sales can provide income to a business that funds operations for months – theft can prove disastrous when it comes to the ability of a business to stay afloat. Another reason that CCTV monitoring is useful is that the video footage can be used to prosecute those who are caught indulging in criminal activity. This can make prosecuting those responsible easier – and assist the retail operation in recouping any losses.
Trained security personnel are also invaluable for another reason. Large crowds gathered in a retail establishment can be extremely difficult to control. In the event of an emergency, the ability of trained personnel to control a crowd can literally mean the difference between life and death when panic sets in. Security personnel also act as first responders in the case of injury or medical emergency. Business owners need to ensure that the security personnel they retain during this busy part of the year have the training to respond to medical emergencies – and stabilize individuals in anticipation of the arrival of emergency responders.
However, trained security officers are also an invaluable part of the customer experience. They are often the first point of contact between the customer and the business. Highly trained professionals can enhance the customer experience. A positive customer experience means repeat business – and that funds growth and bolsters the bottom line. You can visit www.sentinelgroupsix.com to get more information about security guards.
Making the customer shopping experience more pleasant and putting a ‘human face’ to the organization can do wonders for profitability. If shoppers feel comfortable and cared for they will return to the business. Trained security personnel can foster trust and add to the customer experience. It may be something as simple as reminding shoppers who are using the parking lot to lock their doors, making sure that cars are safe or keeping undesirable elements off the property – or even helping a shopper load their groceries, but that value add is essential for the bricks and mortar business that wants to stay ahead of the competition.
The issue of trust is one that is well known to marketers. The more a business or brand is trusted the more repeat business it will enjoy – and happy customers also act as ‘brand ambassadors spreading the word about the extra mile that the company is willing to go. That translates into brand loyalty and new customers.
When it comes to employee awareness of the potential dangers during the festive season a professional security firm can assist in building awareness and educating employees about behaviors that may be suspicious. Most reputable security companies focus on managing risk – that is the core of their service offering – and lowering the possibility of criminal activity reflects on their business.
Many security companies can also help with data protection. Data breaches are becoming increasingly common – and private data such as credit card numbers are enormously valuable. The festive season will see a spike in the number of people using plastic to pay for their purchases. That data is the target of many criminal syndicates. The advice of a professional security company is essential in preventing that data from being stolen. The use of stolen or fraudulent credit cards also increases during the festive season. Security professionals will be able to educate employees on how to spot suspicious behavior that might indicate the illegal use of a card.
Lastly, there is the issue of employee morale. The festive season places employees under severe strain. They have to deal with huge numbers of customers every day. The presence of trained security personnel can be especially reassuring during this busy period. tempers fray on the shop floor and staff can be in very real danger of physical confrontation. Security guards can defuse these situations before they get out of hand. The knowledge that they are available has a tremendously positive effect on the morale of employees and enables them to focus on their job.
When all is said and done bolstering security services during this busy time of year is essential. Businesses that fail to do so are in very real danger of losing customer trust – and seeing profits dented by criminal activity. The cost of increased security provides a very real return on investment.
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