Knowledge Of Anti-Theft Devices Can Help Others Prevent Shoplifting; Your Management Knowledge Can Help Others Improve Their Future Part 1

Opportunity knocks so they say and we want to think we are ready to answer that door and invite it in. When we hear the saying, “Opportunity Knocks” I wonder just how many of us think of it in terms of something that can benefit US if we accept it? I think back to my early years in Retail Loss Prevention. I was a Loss Prevention Associate for a department store and doing well in that role catching a lot of shoplifters and assisting in a few internal investigations. Opportunity for me knocked when a new big box retail store was coming to our area and was looking for Loss Prevention Associates. I applied only for the opportunity for a little better pay. I figured I had an advantage with my knowledge of retail anti-theft devices such as an Alpha ink tag and how to prevent shoplifting. I also had my U.S. Air Force Law Enforcement experience as a key part of my resume. Well, I was interviewed for the position and due to some unforeseen circumstances the person who was going to transfer for the L.P. Manager position changed his mind. Based on my interview, Loss Prevention experience and college degree I was offered the Loss Prevention Manager position. I say I was blessed with the opportunity and when it was presented I accepted.  While I use this example of an opportunity that was presented to me, I also like to look for opportunities when I can give to others. It may be my knowledge of retail anti-theft devices or my years of experience as a manager. I want to help other retail managers understand that there are times when they can be the agent of presenting opportunities to others.

Before I do that I do want to be sure to clarify what I mean by retail anti-theft devices like the Alpha ink tag. As the name implies retail anti-theft devices are tools used by retailers to deter and prevent shoplifters from stealing merchandise. The types of devices I am specifically referring to utilize radio frequency technology that passes a radio wave between a tag and an electronic article surveillance tower. If a tagged item is carried too close to a tower, alarms are set off and employees are alerted that someone approached the doors with unpaid product. Some devices use an additional security feature to deter theft. The Alpha ink tag is one such device incorporating the radio frequency technology AND ink. If a shoplifter attempts to force an ink tag off of an item it will spread the ink and stain the merchandise rendering it useless to the criminal. This will prevent shoplifting since bad guys tend to leave protected merchandise alone not wanting to chance being noticed or caught when attempting to steal.

As I was saying I would like to suggest that instead of looking for opportunities that will benefit ourselves what if we as managers made opportunities knock for others? Let me give an example from my own experiences. I work part-time as a sales associate for an office supply store. I use my knowledge of Loss Prevention and shortage prevention to make suggestions to the store manager that I think would enhance security or drive profitable sales. I have made suggestions that could help prevent shoplifting such as adding additional security measures to some items.  I have made suggestions to change forms that would make researching out of stocks more efficient. The suggestions might not be very beneficial to me but for my manager they could be extremely beneficial in terms of efficiency.

I also had a conversation with a young co-worker recently. He was hired in a temporary seasonal position and started to tell me about how he was not sure he would be hired back when the opportunity arose. I asked if he had been given any feedback regarding his performance and he said he had. I used this time to give him some unsolicited suggestions for future jobs he might hold. I let him know that the suggestions were based on my experiences as a manager. Whether he chooses to use the feedback or not is his prerogative but he has been provided an opportunity that can aid him in future success if he is open to it.

In part 2 of this article I will give some additional suggestions for how you as a manager or store owner can be the instigator of opportunity for someone else. It may be as simple as suggesting the use of an Alpha ink tag to a clothing store owner to improve shortage or giving feedback to a young employee.

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