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Oh...how
the times have changed...
by
Kevin Larson, CFI
Manager, Loss Prevention Training & Investigations
The Kroger Co.
The Loss Prevention roadmap has taken many turns over the
past 5-10 years... not only in technology, leadership,
philosophies, strategies and theft trends, but especially
when it comes to being a LP manager and leader.
I remember when I started in the business; all I was
required to do was apprehend shoplifters, build
safety/shrink programs and locate dishonest associates and
exit them from the business. In a nutshell, I was only
required to be the Loss Prevention SME (subject matter
expert).
As we have seen from the great presentations at recent
conferences like, NRF and RILA this is no longer enough. We
need to be a better business partner and an overall business
leader. We need to not only worry about theft deterrent
devices, ORC operations, access control systems, we also
need to have knowledge of what makes the heartbeat of our
stores tick.
I recently gave a presentation at my companies Loss
Prevention Managers Conference, in which I talked to our
Division Loss Prevention Managers and retail Ops Managers
about what makes a successful LP store walk. In other words,
when we as LP leaders walk the stores with Zone VP’s,
Regional Ops Managers, District Managers and Store Managers,
we need to talk know the business and talk the business
before we talk about any Loss Prevention topics. Our
Director of LP recently coined a phrase within our
department. It is simply... bananas versus boosters or you
could also say bananas before boosters. The point of his
message was that we need to not only talk about LP during
store visits, but we also need to talk about every other
aspect of our business.
• Recap of store sales
• Current promotions, events
• Store conditions
• Customer Engagement
By doing all the above and more, when we walk each store or
talk to each leader that we have contact with, we will help
continue build and strengthen the bridge between Loss
Prevention and leaders within our business. You need to move
away from compliance-driven visits only focusing on Loss
Prevention issues.
It is imperative in today’s retail world to have a holistic
approach to the business. You need to drive the message of
LP through the needs of your customers. And when I say
customers, I mean your internal customers.
Give it a try and let me know your experiences and your
partnership building success stories. |