Put it in Writing - Your Roadmap to Success

Do you have a written policy to address any of these issues?

• Your manager decides to come in to your store early on a Sunday morning alone to catch up on some paperwork. He is approached as he enters the store and forced to empty the safe of all the cash and
• You find out that a trusted employee has taken home a lawnmower, Xbox and a pair of diamond earrings without getting approval from anyone. She said she was borrowing them and planned to put them back next
• A person grabs a gold chain from your employee and runs out the door. Your employee pulls out his handgun and shoots at the person running away. Your employee misses and the bullet strikes an innocent person in the parking

Unfortunately, most business owners do not understand the importance of written policies and procedures to grow and protect their business.

Take a look at any successful business and you will see that they all have a “roadmap for success”. This roadmap was developed over time by identifying and correcting business mistakes and is one of the main reasons that a business is successful.

Although, this roadmap is understood by the owners or senior members of management, it is very important that it be communicated to all employees. Without a clear understanding by each employee of what is expected of them, it will be very difficult to successfully manage and grow your business.

Every business needs a written document that clearly details your rules, your regulations and how things should be done. A comprehensive policy and procedure manual clarifies employees’ expectations about your business polices and communicates standards of action and behavior. Your manual can also protect your company from possible legal action and exposure to acts not condoned by the owner.

A policy and procedure manual gives your employees the information needed to support management and to do their jobs.

Your policy manual should be divided into sections covering at least the following areas:

1. Introduction
2. Company standards
3. Working conditions
4. Work expectations
5. Wages and benefits
6. Performance reviews
7. Termination Policy
8. Administration

Your policy and procedure manual must be as detailed as possible so it can be used as a training manual for new employees as well as a resource manual for existing employees. The policy and procedure manual should be developed around your business, such as loaning guidelines, merchandise sales, gold and diamond testing, firearm usage, merchandise borrowing etc. If you have never written a policy or procedure manual you may find it helpful or necessary to get professional help from a consultant who is knowledgeable about best industry practices and specializes in writing policy and procedure manuals.

In conclusion, a well-planned and maintained policy and procedure manual will greatly facilitate the growth of your business. This manual is always a wise investment in your future and should be used as your foundation on which to build and grow your business.

Be safe and be profitable.

Tony Gallo is the Senior Director of Sapphire Protection (www.sapphireprotection.com) with over 30 years in the Loss Prevention, Audit, Safety, and Risk/Emergency Management fields. Tony is a licensed Security Consultant and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University. Tony is considered one of the leading authorities in financial loan service and cannabis loss prevention, armed robberies, smash and grabs, and burglary investigations. Contact Tony at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @SapphireProtect.