| Simply put, if you have certain expectations of security | | | | Including all motion sensors and door contacts? If you |
| within your organization, from a cash handling program | | | | have cctv, is it working properly? Are the times |
| to merchandise protection standards, you must audit | | | | correct on your video output? |
| these procedures regularly, or they will lose much of | | | | * Cash Handling - Is your cash handling policy being |
| their effectiveness. Why? Because your employees | | | | followed? Are the proper signatures, dates, etc. in |
| will perceive them only as important as you do. | | | | place? Is your safe always locked? Do you regularly |
| If you place high importance on a particular program, | | | | remove cash from registers so that you limit your |
| you will follow up regularly to ensure that it is running | | | | liability in case of theft or robbery? Are your daily |
| properly, and efficiently. Employees see that, and will | | | | nightly deposits secured? How are your registers |
| take their cue from you, in most cases. For example, if | | | | counted? By whom? Are the fail-safes being used |
| you demonstrate great customer service skills, and | | | | consistently? Is there accountability for discrepancies? |
| demand that same level of customer service from | | | | * Merchandise Protection - Are your lockable cases |
| your employees; and, you regularly review with them | | | | kept locked at all times? Is your high theft or high risk |
| any opportunities and strengths to help them improve, | | | | merchandise protected from theft? If you use |
| they will "get it". Essentially, they will become very good | | | | Inventory tags, are they being used to your |
| at customer service, and will thereby increase your | | | | expectation? Do your employees respond to alarm |
| sales. | | | | activations? |
| By the same token, if your employees know that you | | | | * Operations - Are you checking your receipts of |
| are going to review your security policies and | | | | goods for discrepancies? Are you following up with |
| programs, and that you are going to follow up with | | | | vendors on any issues to ensure you get credit for |
| them about any deficiencies or strengths you find, then | | | | mistakes? Is your stock area clean and organized, so |
| of course, they will follow your lead, and make those | | | | that any theft activity will be more obvious? Is there a |
| programs important to themselves, too. | | | | process in place to verify all receipts? |
| It's really about managing people. You just have to | | | | * Safety - Are your customer areas free of any |
| apply the same principles you employ to increase your | | | | potential dangers? Are your fire exits clear and |
| business to the programs that protect your assets. If | | | | unobstructed? Are your back areas clean, organized, |
| you never check to see if the back door is locked, | | | | and a safe work environment for your employees? |
| your employees will not think it is important to keep it | | | | Do you have an emergency plan? And, do all of your |
| locked. | | | | employees understand it? |
| Even small businesses can, and should, have a security | | | | This is just an example of the basic items that any |
| audit in place. Depending on the size of the business, | | | | business owner should be auditing on a regular basis, |
| and the specific need, the audits could range from a | | | | be it monthly or weekly. Sometimes, a simple checklist |
| simple checklist to a full-blown multi-area, detailed audit | | | | will work. The key to the audit is the follow up. All |
| process. When it comes to security, here are some | | | | discrepancies must be corrected, and reviewed with |
| things that every business owner should be checking | | | | the employees to ensure that everyone understands |
| on a regular basis: | | | | the importance of the programs. If you inspect what |
| * Physical Security - Are your doors locked? Is your | | | | you expect, you will find that you will see |
| building secure? Is your alarm working properly? | | | | improvements in execution, and reductions in losses. |