RILA Crime Trends Survey

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

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!

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

Website

I just wanted to take time to thank everybody for the support of Priority Focus Security Group.  I just wanted everyone to check out the website www.priorityfocussecurity.com and let us know what you think.  We had a very productive day of meeting with the local Rotary chapter in Ocoee and they had a very warm welcome for us.  Thank you again Mark and congrats on the award.

Remember to visit the website and let everyone you know to check out the website at www.priorityfocussecurity.com.

OUR NEXT BLOG: STOP EMPLOYEE THEFT NOW will be posted on Sunday May 24, 2009, remember to check it out here at www.priorityfocus2009.wordpress.com.

Inbound Marketing

I just wanted to let the business owners out there know about the new push for “Inbound Marketing”. It is an eye opening learning lesson I experienced this weekend and I recommend all business owners research it further.

Go to www.hubspot.com and they have a free learning packet.  Get it, it works, makes sense, and is the new way of marketing.

Go now.

Employment Screening Is A Must

Imagine you run a global powerhouse company worth trillions of dollars and have a staff of over 1 billion people.  You are responsible for the support of the majority all markets throughout the world.  You are currently seeking to hire a new CEO to take your company who has suffered a downturn due to natural market forces into a transforming world economy. You allow your shareholders to assist in the selection of the man who will be responsible for all aspects of the company and the livelihoods of all 1 billion of your workers.  Your new pick is in:

The CEO’s resume looks like this:

1. Graduated from Harvard

2. Operations VP for large retailer

3. Regional VP for Second Largest Retailer

4. President of Local SBA Chapter

Strong candidate right! But wait lets go a little deeper:

1. Arrested for Fraud

2. DUI convictions

3. Invalid SSN

4. Did not graduate High School

5. No Management Experience

6. Zero Executive Experience

7. Close Connections to convicted felons.

Now that you have received more valuable information and is this really the best candidate for your business. 

Trust me employment background checks should be conducted on everybody at every level. It may seem crazy but on paper anyone can seem like a perfect candidate but these days you really need to know who is handling your money and your merchandise.

Quick Check

I know there are articles circulating regarding quick check background investigations for employment screening.  Critics have stated any company who offer a quick check program is giving incomplete information and not completing a valid investigation.  Well here are some truths behind background investigations:

a. The is no accessible federal database to non-law enforcement agencies.  The only federal criminal database is the NCIS which is operated by the FBI and U.S. Justice Department.  This database is only accessible to official law enforcement agencies with a proper ORI number.

b. The U.S. Patriot Act list is complied of names of suspected terrorist who are currently being sought by law enforcement agencies and this list is accessible to private screening companies.

c. For employment, especially in this market the use of credit backgrounds can be a slippery slope with the current economic crisis.  I would take the information lightly and focus more on the criminal history to determine the best candidate.

Overall the belief that companies who offer quick investigations are fraudulent is a complete lie.  Our company can run a detailed criminal history check, license verification, U.S. citizenship/work status check, and SSN verification in less than 10 minutes with great accuracy.  I think the experience of the company and the ability to extract information from legitimate resources is the key to a company’s success. 

At Priority Focus Security Group we have over 50 years of security and law enforcement experience.  Our determination and dedication to our clients have allowed our success and ability to give our customers affordable business security solutions.  Our PFSG Quick Check program is a great tool for ensuring you are hiring the best candidate.  Our motto is “We help cut your cost by cutting your loss!”