According to studies, around 20% of annual revenue for businesses of all sizes comes around the holidays. With more customers willing to shell out money for gifts or get deals, the uptick in sales should come as no surprise. While this means added income for you as a business owner, you still have to protect your business during this holiday season. Find out how to keep sales rolling while keeping your assets safe.
1. Reassess Your Cameras and Surveillance System
If you haven’t had a problem with theft in the past, you probably don’t pay much attention to your security system. In most cases, that’s a good thing. But when the holiday season rolls around, you need to take your vigilance to the next level.
To ensure that you don’t have any blind spots, that your cameras are functioning, and that you don’t have any other issues, now is the time to reassess your cameras and surveillance system.
Perhaps some simple adjustments or repairs can solve the issue. But in other cases, you may want to upgrade your system. Modern surveillance systems offer a number of bonuses that can protect your assets, customers, and employees during the holidays, including:
- Improved video clarity
- Cloud storage
- Wireless systems
- Elimination of human error
- Smartphone compatibility
2. Lock Up Your Most Valuable Items
In a perfect world, all of your merchandise would be visible and accessible to customers. But in the wake of smash-and-grab thefts across the country, such an arrangement is no longer possible.
Placing a camera near these items is always a smart move, but adding another barrier of protection, such as roped-off areas or shatter-resistant cases can also deter and prevent theft altogether.
3. Switch Your Routines
By setting up your surveillance systems and locking up valuable items, you can deter crimes of opportunity, but more sophisticated criminals are persistent. They don’t just look for one opportunity. They stake out your place and look for points of weakness.
If you maintain the same routine day in and day out, these thieves pick up on your operation. So when the holidays come around, switch up your routine as much as possible. Mix up the times that you do cash drops or count the till, as well as who and when your employees arrive. The more you can switch your routine, the more off-guard potential thieves will become.
4. Train Your Employees
Your security system and precautions can only do so much. Sometimes, you need a pair of eyes on the scene for an added layer of security. So before the holidays hit in full force, train your employees to note suspicious behavior or customers that routinely enter the store but don’t buy anything. You may also want to conduct additional training, hire extra staff, and create an employee word or hand signal that conveys trouble. Add these altogether, and you have a staff you can count on, even in the face of potential thieves.
By upgrading your business surveillance and security, teaching your employees, or even hiring additional staff, you can prevent losses from theft or vandalism. So, give yourself a holiday season that’s full of merriment and cheer; don’t let someone steal that away from you.
Texas Surveillance and Security is your Texas commercial security systems provider. We can discuss all the options available to you and provide you with a detailed assessment that will fit your business needs and budget. Book a consultation appointment today.
