Mind Your Business

Mind Your Business

It’s a case of “minding your pennies” as the economic slowdown tightens its grip on consumers’ wallets. But businesses should take that one step further and “mind their own business”, says Pete Moore of the Retail and Industrial Surveillance Company (RISC).

He estimates the average business could save thousands of dollars annually by reviewing business processes and systems.

“Most business owners equate permanent or temporary digital surveillance systems in the workplace as a device to catch criminals. And no doubt when the squeeze is on, theft goes up so it pays to be more vigilant,” Moore says.

“But surveillance systems offer business owners so much more – it’s a snapshot on their business day.”

Efficiency gains are an important part of the operational bottom line, and are often overlooked in more prosperous times. Understanding what’s really going on in your business and the opportunities to improve takes time and insight, but the pay-offs are well worth it, especially when every dollar counts.

“We’ve encouraged clients to view surveillance systems as a research tool, to find out exactly what’s happening on a daily, weekly and quarterly basis.

“You can track everything from staffing levels and customer service, to cash and stock handling procedures, and the effectiveness of your shop or factory layout.”

In fact, Pete Moore says most clients can see so many opportunities to improve operational efficiency they can’t believe they’ve missed them before.

“One client couldn’t believe how he’d missed the obvious when it came to vehicle logs. Thanks to a GPS system, we found that one sales rep was racking up excessive kilometers. Another was heavy on fuel card usage.

“Ensuring company policy is understood and adhered to is a relatively easy measure to save money.”

Cash-handling is another common area often overlooked by business owners. It’s quite common for businesses that started out as owner operators to have more creative cash-handling ideas – like the client who kept the day’s takings in a glass jar in the microwave.

No business is immune from cash-handling errors or outright theft. Moore says it’s best to protect your takings and your staff by having rigorous systems in place.
“Take the temptation out of cash-handling. It’s easier on everyone.”

It’s not only the obvious scenarios that digital video surveillance uncovers, such as internal or external theft.

It’s common to track times of peak business flow and better match them with operational hours and staff resourcing, or analyze customer movements around the shop or business premises to see how they interact with product and customer service teams.
How’s your staff’s product knowledge? Is it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for? Are staff standing around on one shift, but run off their feet the next? These questions and more are all easily answered by video surveillance.

“Business owners also need to think about site security,” Moore says. “Increasingly, alarms and access control systems are making up more and more of our work. The first rule of minding your own business has got to be protecting what you’ve already invested in – your people and your stock and plant.”

RISC will develop a plan to suit any business, and offer strategic advice about how to get the best out of any technology installed.

Legally, employers do not have to warn staff about covert cameras on the premises, but hidden cameras are a temporary measure and employers cannot install cameras permanently to monitor staff. RISC will assess each client’s needs and guide them through the legalities and technicalities.

“We’re licensed security guards, so we can mount covert video surveillance operations and review the video evidence,” Moore says.

“Don’t let ignorance hit you in the back pocket. There could be a very real and costly difference between how you think your business is running, and what’s actually happening.

“This is definitely a case of spending a little more to save a lot.”

ENDS

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