Feature
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION!
Staff induction and empowerment films provide
recession-busting new front line against fraud
R
ETAILERS are reducing costs package is a highly effective way to The positive
at every level of the engage, motivate and inform all values of the
business and investment in staff. It is simple to facilitate, quick majority will
loss prevention and security to roll out and involves people prevail over
is no exception, despite from all levels in discussing generic the apathetic
evidence that the economic and local issues, committing to and
downturn will cause an increase in future actions and coming up with dishonest
so-called ‘necessity’ theft. new ideas about loss prevention.” minorities
Some retailers have cut their Bownass says such training, done community, so it puts them in a
guarding bills – by far the most properly, will increase specific very difficult position. Although
expensive and visible security information from and general there aren’t necessarily any right or
measures - by up to 50 per cent. communication with stores and will wrong answers, it is clear that our
So how are loss prevention give store managers confidence employees’ own behaviour will
managers coping with the that head office ‘understands’ their influence the outcome of a
downturn and the trimming back particular loss prevention issues. situation, so the DVD that we have
of security investment? Ambit has worked with a number worked with Ambit on has a
Evidence suggests that they are of UK retailers including The Co- number of endings for each
turning to their most effective loss operative Group, Boots and scenario. Staff can choose one
prevention tools – their employees Peacocks. approach and watch it play out to
- by motivating them to take action Michael Foligno, head of loss see how the behaviour influenced
against both the external thieves prevention for Peacocks, which the outcome and could impact on
and ‘the enemy within,’ the active engaged Ambit to make a training the store and staff.”
minority of dishonest staff who are video to be shown to all staff, says: “There are clear guidelines in the
contributing to the UK’s £4 billion “The DVD identified with clarity training that our teams must
shrink bill. our expectations that Peacocks Loss follow for serious incidents.
With literally thousands of staff Prevention requires attention, However for other incidents the
members to reach with this new unity, involvement and support scenario based DVD and group
message, retailers are finding new from everyone. The guidelines and learning will demonstrate that
ways of communicating and scenarios within reinforced the there are ways to deal with
‘conscripting’ them into the army point that all colleagues can have incidents to influence the outcome
against theft. an impact on this major business positively, reducing the impact of
Steve Bownass, joint managing driver no matter which department violence on our store teams. With
director of Ambit Professional they work in.” the launch of the training to our
Development, a specialist media “That Loss Prevention culture is teams this Autumn, I am confident
based training company, argues now firmly incorporated within our this will have an extremely positive
that staff must understand the Retail Strategy and the DVD impact and be welcomed across
importance of the prevention of enabled us to put a face to the our trading estate,” adds Quinn.
external theft. beginning of that change.” Robert Jennings, head of loss
“In addition, honest staff need With the Co-operative Group, the prevention at Boots adds: “We saw
“permission” to take action against brief was different again and, the DVD Ambit had made for
internal theft along with working with shop worker union Peacocks and liked the generic
reassurance that they will be USDAW, an interactive DVD with a messaging that takes staff from
supported by the company and can number of optional scenario day one of their employment on
remain anonymous if they wish,” endings was created to focus on what we expect from them. We
says Bownass. the front line issue of violence also saw it as a way of revitalising
“Once empowered and equipped against store staff. the communication of loss
with the appropriate procedures Richard Quinn, Food Retail, Head prevention issues. We launched
and actions, the positive cultural of Loss Prevention for the Co-op, our DVD at Christmas last year
values of the majority of staff will says: “Our stores are located in which is a busy time with lots of
prevail over the apathetic and communities where our staff live. temporary staff helping during a
dishonest minorities.” Some of the people who may busy period. It is engaging and to
“A carefully constructed, high display violence to staff may also the point and has been very well
quality, media – based training be members of that same received.” RF
26 • RETAIL FRAUD
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42