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How Do I Get My Business On The Internet?
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Peddling Your Own Wagon Through Local Exposure
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Small Business Q & A: Starting Your Business By The Book
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Workplace Security for Small to Midsize Businesses...
Workplace Security for Small to Midsize Businesses...
Since September 11, 2001 surveys, polls and research suggests
that a majority of small to midsize businesses are not yet
prepared to handle a terrorist attack, let alone a natural
catastrophe. The research suggest that this segment of our
business society is thirsting for information and looking for
leadership. However, it does appear this community is willing to
invest in security but, are not yet in a position to make costly
investments without a clear understanding of the value. There is
no debate on the need and the awareness to do something but,
they want to know "who" will work with them and "how" will their
needs be addressed? Knowing the existence of risks is
understandable; however closer to home is the question, "how"
will it improve the situation and show a Return on the
Investment (ROI) after my commitment? In arriving at this
understanding, some perspectives will be presented that might
encourage an investment based on a collective accord on the
"why" and the "how".
Understanding the Mutual Need to Invest...
Understanding is the vitally important link, if we in the
security industry are to sufficiently convince this segment of
the value to invest. While the small to midsize business
community remains an important connection to our day-to-day
lives, it remains an untapped security market. There are
synergies to stimulate positive relationships that must be
tapped regardless of the perceptions. Insufficiently energized
since September 11, 2001, one speculative reason might be that
the security industry and this community have not really talked
to each other about the unique needs and the perceptions.
Suggesting that this market was not yielding any market interest
could be further from the truth. I have found a keen interest on
both sides; however, the common denominator preventing a
decisive step to move forward involves a lack of time, money,
sufficient knowledge and dedicated resources to address their
concerns. These realistic reasons might be unintentionally
contributing to their current vulnerability. Of concern is that
this threat or vulnerability is not just to the potential of a
terrorist strike, but a general inability to respond in the wake
of a natural disaster, power outage, water or fire damage, human
error, death of key staff, labor dispute, hostage taking,
workplace violence, bomb threat, HVAC failure/temperature
inadequacy or any industrial mishap requiring emergency
evacuation or protective measures. Assuming CEOs and other
decision makers recognize these as their day-to-day concerns,
why then has there not been a mutually concerted effort to
bridge the inhibitors cited above to reach a greater
understanding for the need?
My theoretical answer to these questions, suggests that this
community has not been presented the benefit of the expertise in
a simple, uncomplicated and understandable manner as the other
awaited the "hot-button need" or for the catastrophe that will
justify the investment. The reality is that this business
segment has unique but realistic concerns that must be
addressed. Unfortunately, the lack of true understanding keeps
the security and business
community at arms-length as
practicality is avoided. In reality, this segment's security
needs might be imbedded in their day-to-day safety and security
concerns and not the threat of terrorism.
Motivational Reasons to Invest...
There are many reasons to invest in this market! Since the
research suggest there is a lack of time, money, knowledge and
resources, designing an approach to address these challenges
might be a solution. Instead of making security a complex
process let us tailor the need to the individual client, provide
security awareness and follow-up support to insure the need is
addressed and concerns minimized. Whenever I present the value
of security awareness, I am reminded of a Long Island firm that
made the investment in security technology but failed to teach
the employees the value of the technology. As I visited with the
CEO on two separate occasions, I gained access. In one incident,
my cordial greeting was enough to disarm the employees and in
the second incident, I merely walked in through a door held open
with a woodchuck placed there by employees taking a smoke break.
Since it is believed this lack of understanding may drive the
lack of purchase, I propose using case studies and lessons
learned, to demonstrate the value of the implementation. So, why
not tailor the security need to situations this segment is more
apt to experience such as chemical spills, exposure to
contaminants, victimization by criminals, disruptions due to
workplace violence and natural disaster, and fire and all the
other possibilities mentioned above?
Taking a practical approach might be a stronger motivational
tact that could have appeal. Keeping security methodology simple
might trigger yet another motivational strategy to address their
lack of resources. Involving employees in the security process
is certainly another approach to show value. Promoting that the
investment be undertaken in "little chunks" might encourage a
greater appreciation for the need and increase preparedness by
employing realistic and uncomplicated security plans and
programs.
Another approach to the "little chunk" anology might be the
value of making minimal yet inexpensive changes that will cost
little more than time and effort to close the exisiting security
gaps. Pursuing these approaches might insure some measures are
in place "Now" to insure readiness, avoid allegations of due
diligence shortfalls or suggestions of irresponsibility and
malfeasance. Lastly, instead of the buying motivation being
driven by the proverbial "fear" approach, we might build a
client following based on the clear understanding of the need.
These strategies factored by a prioritized understanding that
"little chunks" can bring about a greater degree of security
preparedness rather than doing nothing, will greatly enhance
this business segments security posture.
About the author:
Felix P. Nater is the president of Nater Associates, Ltd. a
security management consulting firm that applies common sense in
the application of workplace security and prevention of
workplace violence in the small to midsize business market by
facilitating the implmentation of their unique security needs.
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