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Increasing the Safety and Security of Your Business
Safety and security are often thought of as two separate concerns. Safety refers to the condition of being free from harm or potentially hazardous situations. For anyone selling or serving alcohol, safety could mean reducing the risk of accidents at your location or providing the appropriate emergency equipment. Security, on the other hand, is protection from things like fraud or theft. For business owners, both safety and security should be key priorities when developing a strong and strategic business plan. If not handled correctly, they can be a major source of anxiety and can largely impact the overall operations of the business. So what are the best ways to protect your business and the people in it?
Procedures for Emergency Preparedness
In life, there are few certainties apart from death and taxes – natural disasters are one of them. Uncontrollable disasters happen all over the country and are often catastrophic for businesses. In order to best protect your investments, it’s important to have a well documented plan in place. Preparing your location by securing inventory, fortifying the building, and informing your employees and customers are the first steps, but it’s also critical to establish a plan for after the disaster. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 75% of businesses without a continuity plan will fail within three years of a disaster. Form an action plan for before, during, and after the event, and use planning guides like the FEMA Ready Business Toolkits for the best outcomes.
Security Planning
Threats ranging from criminal acts to employee theft and even cyber-targeting can be detrimental to the functioning of a business, so implementing solid security systems is crucial. Surveillance cameras are a great way to monitor your business, and they give you the ability to review incidences after they happen. Many also include access to door locks and silent alarms for your staff to use in the event of an emergency. Also, training employees in proper cash handling and ensuring that your shift managers have a checklist for end-of-night duties can reduce the risk to your location. Remember that maintenance of your security systems is also important, so stay up-to-date with training materials and be sure to check batteries and bulbs where necessary.
Reducing the Probability of Threats to Your Location
While there are some situations that are beyond your control, many manageable practices can put a big target on your business’s back. Your alcohol delivery payment process can leave you open for issues with employee safety and the security of your location’s finances, but a solution exists that can help mitigate this risk. Fintech® has been a trusted partner of retailers and distributors in the alcohol industry for over 27 years, not just for the time savings and convenience, but for the security we provide during the alcohol delivery and payment process. By automating invoice payment and eliminating cash and checks on delivery, Fintech decreases the amount of time spent on each delivery. This reduces the risk of uninvited intruders and narrows the possibility of unwanted hands in the safe. Additionally, Fintech’s online portal ensures that your payment information is secure.
All in all, it’s important to have solid plans in place for your business’s safety and security because as they say, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Responsibly arranging practices and procedures can help you ensure a safe and secure future for your business.
