Month: July 2020

Keeping your small business safe from third party theft makes perfect sense – but what about from your own employees? An alarming study shows that at least 75 percent of employees have stolen from their employers. How can you avoid being part of the statistic? Here’s how:

Run a Strict Pre-employment Routine

The best way to prevent theft in the business is to hire trustworthy employees. This can be done by having a stringent pre-employment routine that keeps the dishonest out. Ask for references, credit checks, and criminal checks if needed. The rule is that positions of trust should have stricter pre-employment guidelines to minimize the possibility of inside theft.

Hire a Third-party Bookkeeper

Prevent the possibility of conspiracy among your employees by hiring a third party to keep your books for you. This is actually better in the long run as an independent bookkeeper is less expensive than having an accountant full time. Independent accountants and auditors are also more likely to spot problems in your books or inventory system – and even more likely to report them to you.

Use a POS System

A point of sales system makes it incredibly easy for you to monitor and control all the transactions that happens in the business. The beauty of POS is that it can be limited or expanded based on the user. Hence, some employees may be able to view inventory but not change it. They can view the financial statements but not edit the same. It can also create an electronic signature that tells you which employees made specific transactions and so on. While at it, install cameras in your place of business for added security.

Pay Close Attention to Write Offs

Product theft is a possibility that often happens at the end zone. Products might be scurried away at the back door and then written off in the inventory because it has gone “bad” or is “damaged”. To prevent this from happening, create a streamlined trash disposal system that keeps your employees honest. For example, randomize the schedule of people who will be taking out the trash. Use clear trash bags instead of opaque black ones and so on.

Create Checks and Balances

Theft may occur in a business if employees are given complete control over specific transactions. For example, if your cashier is the same person who takes care of the books – then it becomes very easy for them to set aside a few dollars each day for personal use. This is why dividing responsibilities is crucial, thereby ensuring that there are checks and balances to each transaction. A good technique is by having a supervisor or manager approve every cash disbursement, refund, return, or any other transaction other than a sale. Creating a buddy system will also make it easier for them to keep each other honest.

Establish Good Relations

Finally, make a point of treating your employees with fairness. While you’re not supposed to be their best friend, you’re not the enemy either. Treat them with respect and give them what they deserve so that they’ll treat you and the business with honesty.

Once you hear that assuring “beep” of the electronic lock, you think your car is perfectly safe against all possible break-ins. Unfortunately, this is not always the case as thieves can be very creative on how they get past your car’s security system. If you want to deter car break-ins, here are some things you should know:

Park Where There Are Lights and Cameras

Keeping your car safe starts with choosing the perfect spot to park. Ideally, it should be somewhere with enough light to keep the car illuminated during nighttime. Thieves tend to gravitate to darker areas to limit the chances of being seen. This is the same reason why parking close to cameras is advised.

Remove Any Valuables from Sight

Thieves don’t risk breaking into cars unless they know something is inside to make it worth the trouble. Prevent them from thinking this way by simply removing any obvious valuables from your car. Pocket any money and cover up your stereo system before leaving the vehicle. Better yet, tint the car windows up so they won’t be able to see anything inside.

Make Your Security System Obvious

Invest in products that increase the security of your car. This can be a steering wheel lock, an ignition cut-off installation, or perhaps a window alarm. Anything that would make it harder for the thief to pry your car open would be an excellent addition, discouraging them from even trying. Note that your security system should be obvious. For example, you could place a sticker on the car that advertises the use of anti-theft alarm in the vehicle. In many cases, this simple visual reminder of an alarm can prevent any break-ins – even if there’s no actual alarm installed in the car.

Always Turn the Car Off and Check the Lock

Unless you have a huge dog guarding your car, it’s best to turn the car off completely, keep the windows up, and lock all the doors. Even if you’re just running to the store for a “few minutes” to buy something, you should take the time to shut off the car instead of leaving it running. In many cases, car theft is a crime of opportunity. Thieves simply wait for the perfect moment when someone unassumingly forgets to lock the door or leave their car running. Keep your guard up, even if you’re in a familiar place.

Keep your Keys Close

Let’s say you left the keys in the ignition but locked the car door anyway using an electronic lock. Is this enough to deter thieves from smashing your car window and driving off with your car? Not usually. When not in use, the car keys should always be separated from the car. 

Use Apps

There are also apps today that can boost car security. For example, some apps will instantly alert you via phone when someone tries to break into your car. Of course, there are also GPS systems that let you track and recover stolen cars if it does happen. Hopefully however, you have installed enough deterrents in your vehicle to make actual theft unlikely.

When you’re opening your commercial space, a lot of people will tell you that having a commercial security guard is a must. While the reasons are obvious, they are still important to emphasize.

Here are the five most important reasons why you need to hire a commercial security guard in Miami.

    1. They give a sense of security, safety, and order. 

First and foremost, hiring a commercial security guard gives a sense of security to both your customers and employees. Knowing that a guard is around will make everyone else feel at ease because there is someone who will keep them safe in case a troublemaker enters the premises. 

Security guards also add to the comfort your customers will feel. This is especially obvious when the guards themselves are kind and polite to the people who enter the building. 

    2. They give a good impression to your company.

The presence of security guards in your building shows that your company prioritizes security. It shows that you are able to provide safety to the premises. Hence, people will think that you are a reputable company that values its customers. To add to that, security guards can also improve your company’s customer service. A simple greeting to the people entering your building already goes a long way in customer retention.

    3. They discourage criminal activities.

Security surveillance is not enough to prevent robbers from stealing from you. In fact, hidden cameras and sensors are only helpful in detecting a robbery when it’s already happening. The value of a security guard or team is preventing those robberies from happening. Besides, why wait for the time robbers can go inside your building or store? Not only do security guards discourage them to do so, but they also spot and deal with robberies in your building.

    4. They provide immediate and emergency responses.

Security guards are equipped to give immediate action whenever emergencies or problems arise. They can help resolve conflicts and fights that erupt in a building and they can also give emergency responses in cases of accidents. Guards are trained to know how to respond to fires, gas leaks, shootings, fights, and even injuries that happen on site. 

    5. They monitor access to authorized personnel. 

If you have restricted areas in the office, employing a security guard can help you monitor and guard those areas that are not for the public. They can either set up a post in those areas or you can ask them to make regular rounds of the premises. Having security personnel do that will help reduce the risk of someone sneaking or stealing. 

These are just five of the most common reasons why you should hire a commercial security guard in Miami. Take note, however, that you should exercise caution in who to hire as security personnel. Make sure that you contact a reputable agency who are known for their excellent services, credibility, and experience in the field. Remember, hiring the right professional security agency is just as important as having an actual guard in your premises. 

Do you own a store in Miami? Then you’ve probably wondered if it’s necessary to hire a security guard or if you can just leave it locked. While leaving it locked and armed with surveillance does give certain security, it’s nothing compared to having a security guard. Here are 12 reasons why hiring a guard in Miami is beneficial for you.

    1. It gives a lot of security. 

This is the most obvious one because security is the main function of a security guard. If you have a guard in your promises, you have a certain level of security and safety because you know that trained personnel are there to specifically keep your store theft-proof.

    2. It discourages people from robbing. 

Thieves are more likely to rob a store that has no security guard. With a guard up front, they will try to avoid your place knowing that someone is there to protect it and report them to the cops.

    3. They monitor everything. 

Guards aren’t just there to stand guard. They also do different things including monitoring the situation in your store whether there’s a person or not. 

    4. They serve as a witness.

In cases when your store has been robbed or vandalized, your security guard can be a witness to the crime. Their view of events can be beneficial in identifying those who are at fault. 

    5. They help maintain order in the store.

When your store is open, a security guard can help keep peace and order because visitors will be discouraged to act loudly and rudely.

    6. They welcome customers. 

Have you ever felt better when a security guard politely greets you at the door? That’s exactly what they can do which helps in boosting customer loyalty.

    7. They provide a quick response to issues.

Your security guard can be the person you can rely on to respond to accidents, issues, and security concerns. They will most likely know who to call for help. 

    8. It improves the store’s image.

Just like when they greet customers to your store, a security guard shows that you can afford to keep your store safe and secure. This is a plus sign for your customers. 

    9. They prevent other forms of illegal activities. 

Not only do guards prevent robbery; they also prevent vandalism on your property. 

    10. They maintain chaotic situations.

When a fight suddenly erupts in your store, the security guard can help manage the situation and be a pacifier of the altercation.

    11. They know how to act in cases of emergencies. 

Security guards are trained to act a certain way during emergencies. They know how to keep calm and to maintain composure even when people are panicking. 

    12. They make sure everything is kept and locked.

A security guard is another level of protection in checking if your store is locked and all the other surveillance cameras are turned on. If you’re worried that one of your employees might forget locking the store, the guard can help to ensure that it’s not forgotten. 

A security guard does a lot for your store than you might think. While their primary function is to provide security, they can also be employed for risk management and branding.