At home the astute businessman gets ready to leave for the store. He locks the front door and enters his garage parked car, turning off the electronic alarm of the vehicle and drives out the open door – he had taken the time yesterday to park the car with the front facing outward to allow for such ease of safe exit.
The security guard at the gate is alert and quickly opens both sides for him to drive through. He pauses at the verge and quickly scans the street in both directions. No strange vehicle or person is noticed.
He drives off but not in the direction of the office – he is about to drive up the road and at a suitable distance do a turn so that he passes his residence again. While on this move he checked for any vehicle that may have been following him.
With this sense of awareness he continues on his way to the office using a different route from yesterday. The hands free system on his cellular phone is activated to enhance safe driving even if called.
At all times he is alert to his surroundings. At ‘choke points’ and at road stops – traffic lights and intersections, he is sure to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of his – if needs be, he is prepared to force past and escape the threat. The car windows are fully rolled up, all doors are locked and the air conditioner works to keep the vehicle inside cool.
As he approaches the end of his journey his security alertness is further heightened over the last two blocks from his stop – he could be under surveillance for an attack and needs to be alert as to what evasive action is required. Finding his reserved parking area he stops, surveys the area for anything unusual and being satisfied, looks for the security staff signal that ‘all is well’ before he hands over the keys to open the building / leaves the safety of the car and crossing only the sidewalk enters the building. Someone will discreetly park the car so that his presence is not openly signalled.
At the place of business
The business person has safely arrived at work. A quick check of the staff attendance confirms that all members are at their work stations, the standard opening activity with the necessary safety and security checks have all been done and reported on to the supervisors / seniors while all other personnel are actively engaged in work – preparing for the customer.
As he knows it is the Christmas season for 2007 and expects the threat to the existing security protocols on his premises to increase by 30% – 50 %. The Staff is therefore alerted to being aware of the large influx of ‘customers’ and others who only come to steal what is unprotected. The business man has taken steps to move the more valuable items secured in locked displayed cabinets and centralized to be kept under constant view. Supervisory staff check locking devices on access points ensuring that they are also secured to reduce the risk of intrusion.
The business man ensures that access to the cashier and ‘safe’ is restricted by suitable barriers. In addition, a sufficiently frequent Cash-In-Transit pickup by a reputable, armed / armored, Protective Security Service Provider, team is hired to reduce the stash of cash on hand and to ensure that none is kept on the premises overnight. He sees that large denomination bills are immediately placed in a secured drop vault within the cash receiving area. As a prudent manager of his business he established and confirms that the entire accounting system has been upgraded to promote a quick and efficient purchasing / sale process with as little hassle as possible to the customers during this festival season but still giving strict accounting for all transactions and stock reduction avoiding instances of ‘shrinkage’. He ensures that standardized and indelibly labeled price tags are used through out the store.
The mode of relations from the store staff confirms that all ‘customers’ are met and greeted even with an extended offer of service. All staff know that attention is paid to those who enter the shopping area to ‘window-shop’ inside the store but have their interest in the layout of the building. The business man issues instructions for staff to be especially concerned with those using their cell phones and even taking pictures. He has established that where seats are provided for the customer they should be kept to the required few and positioned to restrict a wide field of view. As an astute entrepreneur the businessman is aware and is not fooled by the way persons are dressed; it may be a fa?e. All staff watch customers’ actions, movement and point of interest.
In the continuation of awareness for staff they know that shoplifters carry out sudden acts of opportunity on things that are exposed. Even the security guard constantly man the entrance / exit and is alert to the environment looking for changes including how they feel over a particular presence. The staff could give an ‘alert’ that would allow him would allow him to secure the exit door. The policy for security requires where necessary the bag bay should be used by customers.
The business man has invested in technology with efforts ranging from basics to the contemporary with the use of good security lighting even sunshine, clear areas of view, convex mirrors, a monitored / manned CCTV system, an Intruder Detection System with a centrally monitored alarm response company in addition to the watchful eyes of all staff is used to maintain a high standard of internal surveillance. He has placed discreet signs warning of prosecution for law breaking displayed as a deterrent to perpetrators. A security expert conduct as an ongoing staff development process at least twice annually contingency training with staff on how to conduct themselves safely in a crises situation such as a robbery.
Socializing
When the business person joins in the festive fun – shopping / partying / making merry – security remains a constant factor in his mind. He is aware that there is no alternative to his personal safety. His main effort is to try to safeguard his assets but remember, “Life cannot be replaced.”
When he is out shopping he places items purchased in the car out of sight and does not leave it unattended and at the mercy of ‘trunkers’. Action is taken when the vehicle is loaded, to leave the area and try to unload the car in a discreet and protected area such as home.
The shrewd businessman keeps this identification documents in a safe and separate place on his person. He even ensures that he carries limited amounts of money distributed around his person.
He avoids ‘unsafe’ and poorly lighted areas but he is still cautious in crowds. He is always aware of his surroundings as he watch what jewelry he wears or carry and where he keeps his purse. The business man consider his mobile phone as a ‘life line’ so he keeps it fully charged and loaded with a ‘speed dial’ response number always available. He does not put himself in harms way and he takes no unnecessary risks. When he has to drive and commute he does this safely and soberly; he looks out for others.
In the case of an assault or a thief; his security advisory information informs him to remain calm, make no brisk movement, comply with the thief and remember his life depends on your attitude.
At home
The business person is safety home again! He remembers to practice safety against the threats of a Fire hazard, other elements and the opportunity intruder. He was cautious on the return journey as when he left early. The same counter surveillance moves and pre-arrival checks, even calling ahead to ensure that he is expected and the security accessing at the gate is with reduced exposure and waiting time outside the premises.
He knows that most intrusions are caused by doors being carelessly left open in the absence of anyone and locks them up even if indoors and watching the television.
As a consideration to his personal and family safety, fire hazards such as food left on lighted stoves becaus
e of tiredness or a diversion should is always avoided by the businessman. Similarly he ensures that the over heating of fixtures such as light bulbs near flammable material does not be a source of a fire.
Be safe! Be secure! Be aware!
Merry Christmas
