As a small business owner, you probably have very specific plans and procedures for how you do things; how you order inventory, how you run the payroll, etc. But do you have the same detailed procedures when it comes to the safety and security of your business? Do you have strict rules for monitoring the sales floor or the cash register? Below is a list of ideas to help you get started or to review your existing policies.
1. Create protocols for the sales floor.
An easy way to ensure that your products stay secure and your customers stay safe is to adjust the way your team functions on the sales floor. Create a few simple guidelines for positioning the large displays, merchandise racks, and employees to ensure that at least one member of your team has a watchful eye on the store. Providing great customer service not only ensures that customers will make purchases in your store, but will be safe while they do it. Instruct employees to:
- Greet or acknowledge every person who walks into the store
- Start talking with customers as soon as they start to browse
- Periodically ask customers if they need any help
- Frequently make eye contact with shopping customers
2. Create rules for monitoring the cash register.
The cash register protects the thing that keeps your business alive: your money. So it is definitely worth taking some time to create specific rules for operating the cash register, for example:
- Do not to leave the drawer open and unattended.
- Place cash payments on the drawer while change is counted to reduce the chance for disagreements over the amount of money handed over.
- If employees must leave the register to help a customer or put away merchandise, provide guidelines for how far from they register they can go and how long they can be away (for example: they must stay within site of the register and other shopping customers).
- Each employee is assigned their own dedicated drawer. At the beginning of their shift, give employees a drawer that only they are allowed to use and are responsible for counting down at the end of their shift. A supervisor should witness each register countdown.
3. Have safety in numbers.
Always have more than one employee on duty so no one is alone in the store. Knowing that they are not alone will help employees feel more at ease. Provide employees with an easy way to call for help should they need it. Install an under counter panic button, provide personal panic devices, and have a phone available for emergency calls.
4. Train employees to deal with suspicious customers.
Empower your employees and teach them how to take charge of their own safety. Provide employees with periodic training for issues like:
- How to identify shoplifters and the store policy for dealing with them.
- How to react to customers who act in a threatening or aggressive manner.
- How to answer probing questions about the business.
Ensure that all of your training materials are documented so they can be referenced later. Having standardized and documented materials and procedures will make it easier to train new employees and ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to store policies.
5. Install a professional monitoring system.
As much as you might like to, it’s just not possible to keep an eye on your retail space all day, every day. However, if you have a security system monitored by a professional security company, you will have a partner who can keep a watchful eye on your business even when you’re not there. Let PASS Security be your commercial security partner. Our team will work with you to create a tailored security system to meet the unique needs of your small business.
Contact us today if you would like a FREE consultation on a video surveillance system for your business. 314-241-0422 or 618-394-1144 or Email Us.
Founded in 1969, PASS Security is headquartered in St. Louis, MO. and Fairview Heights, IL. We are a full-service electronic security systems integrator providing expertise in intrusion detection, video surveillance, access control systems, LIVE video monitoring for businesses, large commercial and enterprise operations. PASS also serves the residential sector with innovative SMART home automation products and services. We provide our customers with system design, engineering, installation, maintenance and monitoring services through our 24/7 local UL Listed Central Monitoring Station.
