PFSG's Blog

Home Security Defense Plan

priorityfocus2009 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:06:22 +0000

Is your home burglar proof? Do you have the top of the line home security system?

Well my suggestion is create a “Home Security Defense Plan” to really make your home a fortress.

My suggestion is to take a Saturday to really dive into your home security system and I mean really look at your house from the eyes of a burglar.

Ask your self these questions:

Where is the window or door on your house which is secluded from the street and neighbors? This is the place which will be the likely point of entry for a burglar.

Take a look at your front, back, and garage door to your house and see what type of material they are made from and assess if they could withstand a full force kick from a burglar.

Look at the locks on your doors and the 18 to 20 inches surrounding area and see if they can withstand the same force. Is your lock able to be penetrated by a re-keying kit from the local Home Depot?

These are the questions you need to ask your self when creating your personal “Home Security Defense Plan”.

For more information email me at jeremyfetzer@priorityfocussecurity.com.

Stay safe and register to WIN A FREE ADT HOME SECURITY SYSTEM by clicking the link below:

http://www.priorityfocussecurity.com/index_files/contest.htm

Sincerely,

Jeremy L. Fetzer, President of Priority Focus Security Group, LLC.

Business Security Solutions Webinar

priorityfocus2009 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:51:17 +0000

After repeated questions regarding what can a business owner/manager do to protect their business without breaking the bank financially, I have decided to host a FREE Business Security Solutions Webinar to give some great low to no cost strategies which will reduce theft, increase worker production and most of help increase profits.

Space is limited so remember to sign up NOW and the first 50 people to sign up will receive ONE MONTH Free access to our unlimited Employee Background Investigations program.

Go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/592698065 to sign up now.

Upcoming Webinar

priorityfocus2009 — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:13:52 +0000

Everyone stay tuned to a free business security webinar. Email me at jeremyfetzer@priorityfocussecurity.com to get the specifics on the date and time.

Space is limited so email now.

Managing Your People

priorityfocus2009 — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:02:51 +0000

After a conversation with a family member about his frustrations with his employees. It dawned on me how his frustrations were more than just a minor HR issue but a growing loss issue which was snow balling. Imagine yourself having to complete a single project twice; double the pay and double the time in effort for every task your business must complete. This little disciplinary issue is now costing you time and money which most people can’t afford during these economic time.

My advice was to simply control the situation regardless of your presence by forcing your employees to be accountable for their work. A simple checklist for each task which can be verified can do the trick and most importantly training, training , training.

For more on this topic email me at jeremyfetzer@priorityfocussecurity.com for easy solutions to work performance problems.

Cargo Theft

priorityfocus2009 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:43:04 +0000

According to the recently released Uniform Crime Report (UCR) cargo theft losses are estimated between $10-$30 billion for 2007. Organized cargo theft has been on a rise in several states to include Texas, Georgia, California, Florida, Virgina, Indiana, and Tennessee according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). With improvements in technology tracking devices and additional training for drivers through out the industry the rise in cargo theft is still apparent. To find out more, please email me at jeremyfetzer@priorityfocussecurity.com.

Lost in Transition

priorityfocus2009 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:58:45 +0000

I just read the latest “Loss Prevention Magazine” and I am amazed at how many loss prevention executives are losing their way to really focus on what needs to be done to combat the current situation facing retailers across the world. I broaden this statement by saying a large portion of our retail executives have lost their way as well. They are not focusing on what must be done to get things done to restore our economy and bring back the success they once had in the market place. Instead they are all in a safety posture to try and weather the storm instead trying to beat this downturn and come back stronger in the future.

Dealing with a down economy and slumping sales is a hard spot to be in these days. With shrink numbers rising and theft occurrences on a dramatic rise, cutting back on loss prevention is a fatal error which are going to cause some long lasting effects to some of our once largest and most successful retailers in the world.

I think the shift into a new age of business has been overlooked and companies are making critical management errors when dealing with cutting back on programs to help align bottom line interest. While everyone knows a company’s responsibility is to protect the shareholder’s interest, making decisions which could decapitate the company as a whole in my opinion is not an effective way to transcend past these current economic problems. Cutting back on marketing, cutting back on hours of critical sales associates, and eliminating your security staff would not be my way of trying to build my business. I know it is unheard of in the retail industry but I think executives really need to think about reinvesting into their business and focusing on the essentials. I would cut back on all the top heavy aspects at the corporate level. I look at it like I look at why the military has so many issues because there are to many “Chiefs” and not enough “Indians” to get the job done. The people on the ground will make or brake your company not the 30 purchasing executives who all earn enough salaries to staff ten stores with full time hourly staffs.

In the end, I think a lot of common sense has been lost in transition from the old days of business to today’s retail industry. I recommend people wake up and take charge before it is too late.

For more information contact me at jeremyfetzer@priorityfocussecurity.com.

Keys to Success

priorityfocus2009 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:17:51 +0000

After a recent discussion with a loss prevention professional who works for the largest home improvement retailer, it was brought to my attention that the recent strategy of cutting back on security and loss prevention has caused the company to come under fire. My source cited the company has been combating an increase in external and internal theft incidents due to the current economic break down. The new focus from the executive level has been to micromanage the field operation’s limited staff and have them account for hour by hour productivity. This new management tactic has caused drops in effectiveness and according to my source has the already limited field staff feeling pressured to make apprehensions which increases the opportunity for bad stops which lead to litigation.

I tell you this story because it is similar to incidents occurring around the world in the retail industry. At the onset of the economic meltdown, retailers responded to the drops in sales by cutting operational support structures like loss prevention, security, and even consolidating human resource staffs to align the controllable expenses. These management decisions as I’ve stated in my past postings are critical leadership errors which have placed these organizations in a whole new down slide.

The answer to this problem is to reinvest in protecting your bottom line by focusing on strategies which work. Does it make sense to cut back on marketing when sales are at their lowest in company history? NO! Does it make sense to cut your security staff when you are experience and increase in theft both internally and externally? NO! While limiting your expenditures is critical, cutting back on you defense planning is not the way to go.

To find out more please visit us at www.priorityfocussecurity.com.

RILA Crime Trends Survey

priorityfocus2009 — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:55:55 +0000

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has reported a growth in amateur or opportunistic events, financial fraud, robberies and burglaries, and organized retail crime incidents have increased in all segments according to the 2009 RILA Crime Trends Survey.

Casey Chroust, Senior Vice President of LP Operation for RILA reported the following increases:

61% increase in amateur and opportunistic events, 55% increase in financial fraud incidents, and a 72% increase in organized retail crime incidents.

The retail market segments included in the 2009 RILA Crime Trends Survey included grocery stores, mass merchants, specialty stores, apparel retailers, electronics and appliances, and fabric and craft retailers.

http://www.securitydirectornews.com/?p=article&id=sd200905qK8hiw

Another reason why cutting back on security during these economic times is not a great management decision.

Security and Business

priorityfocus2009 — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:28:58 +0000

I look at the current economy and the actions of many organizations to cut cost and it astonishes me the deep cuts into security both in physical and operational aspects. During a time of huge unemployment claims and people in desperate situations, the last thing I would recommend a business cut back on is security measures. For me it breaks right down to common sense in management. Look at an example of a top retailer who decided to cut 70% if there security staff after dramatic increases in shrink and theft over the past two quarters. What sense does it make to reduce your security staff when you there is a dramatic increase in thefts and shrink is on a historic high? Along with the shrink and theft rise, sales have slumped to a 10 year low and they still cut the staff to a “JUST FOR SHOW” role. As a security professional with both retail and law enforcement experience, the last thing that should be tossed out the window when your business is being robbed blind and your sales are at an all time low is SECURITY!!!

For more information visit www.priorityfocussecurity.com.

STOP EMPLOYEE THEFT NOW!

priorityfocus2009 — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:57:07 +0000

As I sit back and reflect after watching a rerun of “Kitchen Nightmares”, I laugh as Gordon Ramsey confronts an owner of a failing restaurant about how her cook staff just walked out with a rack of lambs and three bottles of wine.

This situation is occurring all over the world and through out each industry; from a clothing retailer to a construction company, the rise in employee theft and internal crimes is on a rise.

As a business owner what would your response be? How would you handle the situation? The answer to these questions are the same, who cares because you have already taken a huge hit on the bottom line. The only true answer to stopping employee theft is through employee screening. In the world of business the number one overlooked part in business planning is loss prevention and security. The retail industry’s old mentality of sales cures all is out the window in the current economic state of the country and the world. Business owners must secure their bottom line by focusing on loss preventions number one pillar: Hiring the Right People!

Employee background checks enables you as a business owner the ability to select the best candidate by ensuring your employees meet a high standard of character. What if you are a small business with a limited operating budget or a medium size business which recently cut back on HR services due to streamlining cost due to the current economy? You are making a decision to hire a cashier based upon an application or a resume at face value and the candidate you select has a college degree, six years experience, and has managment potential; great right? Now put the same applicant through an employee background check and you find out the great applicant was arrested for theft (stealing money from previous employer) and has a suspended license; great candidate right?

With the state of the economy right now would you risk your business by putting this person in a position to handle your cash? The only way to stop employee theft is by Hiring the Right person through employee screening background checks!

To find out more visit our website at www.priorityfocussecurity.com