Why Your Business Needs a Security System
Most business owners don’t pay attention to the security of their premises. They believe that it’s the work of law enforcement officers to secure their properties and their lives. According to the National Trade Federation, businesses lose close to $50 billion every year, as a result of employee theft, shoplifting, and supplier fraud. Shoplifting accounts for the largest percentage, followed closely by employee theft. Installing a robust security system (such as surveillance cameras, access control systems, burglar alarms, as well as security lighting options) could prevent or minimize most of these losses. Apart from preventing thefts and robberies, an effective security system will ensure that everyone feels safe whenever they are within your premises. Here are some reasons and benefits of installing a security system in your business.
Decrease Employee Theft
Some business owners assume that their employees would not steal from them, due to the confidence and trust they have placed on them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Regardless of how thorough your employee vetting process is, you might still end up with a wayward employee. And as noted above, employee theft is one of the biggest challenges facing business owners. If not curbed, it can lead to serious losses. Rogue employees usually take advantage of their easy access to your items. However, if you place video surveillance cameras in plain sight, all your employees will know that their actions are always monitored. If you have installed video cameras in noticeable locations, employees will fear stealing from you, since they don’t want to get in trouble with law enforcement officers. At the same time, hidden cameras will help you to determine the honest employees, and you can then reward them accordingly.
Prevent Shoplifting
According to a survey conducing by the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, more than 70% of the shoplifters claim their decision to shoplift was spontaneous, not planned. In short, most shoplifters will attempt to steal from your store, whenever they get an opportunity. Therefore, if you want to prevent or minimize shoplifting in your business, then you should install security surveillance cameras in areas where everyone who walks into your store can see them. Shoplifters usually target smaller items because they are easy to slip into a purse or pocket. If you have such items and you have noticed that they are disappearing frequently, then you just need to install noticeable security surveillance cameras in those aisles.
Employee Safety
Keeping your employees safe should always remain a priority. Depending on the nature of your business, some of your employees might be working in dangerous situations while others might be working in enclosed spaces. Also, if you are running a retail outlet, there is a high chance that some of your employees will be interacting with customers who walk in to shop. In all these instances, your employees are exposed to various risks. The good news is that if you install a video surveillance system in your business, then you can ensure that all your employees feel safe. If there are people putting in late shifts in your business, then they can deliver their duties comfortably, knowing that they are safe whenever they are in your premises. Besides that, if any of your employees experiences an uncomfortable situation with a customer or even suffers an accident, security cameras can capture footage of such issues, thus helping you to take the most appropriate action.
Reduce Cost of Insurance Premiums
It’s always important to insure your business against eventualities. The cost of insurance premiums will depend on various factors, including the size and nature of your business. The good news is that you can keep these costs down, once you install a security system in your business. If you have taken the measure of protecting your business with a security system, most insurance companies will give you a coverage discount of up to 20%.
Prevent Unauthorized Entry
In your business, you might want to limit access to certain sensitive areas. Installing a biometric security reader or access control cards, is one of the most effective methods of limiting access to such areas. Once you install these security systems, only authorized people will have access, say to a stockroom or office. Furthermore, these security systems maintain a record of entry. And if you install surveillance cameras in those areas, you will always have a record of everyone who had access, and at what time. With such a powerful system in place, you can protect sensitive areas on your premises thus preventing issues of theft or vandalism.
Boost Productivity
Apart from reducing employee theft, installing security cameras in your business can eventually improve overall productivity. Some employees may work less, whenever the manager or supervisor is not around. And in today’s age of social media, some will even spend time chatting with their friends or on social media – using your company’s resources. As much as your employees will not be working non-stop from 9 to 5, the time spent on social media and other activities that are not related to your business are unproductive. But if you have installed security cameras in your business premises, your staff will know that they are being monitored. They will also know that the cameras are recording all the happenings in the premises, whether the supervisors are around or not. Therefore, no one will risk losing their jobs. There is a high chance that you will notice improved productivity once you install security or video surveillance cameras in your business. Apart from boosting productivity, a camera surveillance system will protect your business against false compensation claims from unscrupulous employees.
Boost Corporate Image
Installing a security system in your business will give everyone, include your employees, customers, and business partners, the impression that you are a professional business owner. Whenever customers walk into your premises and they see you have installed security cameras, they already feel secure. Furthermore, you come across as a responsible business owner, who cares about the security and safety of your customers.
Evidence Gathering
Regardless of how careful you are, business disputes are bound to happen; and they happen every day. Regardless of the nature of your business, the possibility of a dispute is always high. And if you were not present when that issue happened, then it’s hard to tell who is telling the truth. On the other hand, if you already have a video surveillance system in your business, then you can review footage of the entire incident to determine what may have happened. Such a video can help you solve the issue fast, thus saving you time and money. On top of that, if the issue escalates and law enforcement officers are involved, you can provide video evidence. If a crime had happened on your premises, the video footage will help the investigating officers to identify the culprits involved.
Peace of Mind
As a business owner, you have plenty of things to worry about: working with suppliers, servicing your customers, and financial issues. Everything has to be done right to make sure that your business runs smoothly. All these issues can consume a considerable amount of your time, which means that you might forget about security. But as long as you have installed a security system in your business, you can focus on what. Also, if you install an advanced security surveillance system in your business, you can monitor it from any location – even when you are away from the building. As you can see, you will have peace of mind wherever you might be, knowing that your business is secure while your employees and customers are safe.
Final Thoughts
Installing a reliable and effective security system for your business can boost profitability and efficiency, while giving you peace of mind. As much as installing a security system in your business might appear like a big expense, the benefits outweigh the costs by far.
If you are a business owner in Richmond VA and you are worried about the safety and security of your investment, then we are here to help. The security experts at Richmond Security, will help you to choose the right security system for your business. We are committed to helping both large companies and small businesses to protect their employees, customers, and assets by installing state-of-the art security systems. Contact us today, and let’s discuss how we can help to secure your business. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.