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Pro Tips, Security

The Critical Role of Security Services in Protecting Commercial Properties

by Jeff Martin
August 13, 2024

In today’s fast-paced and increasingly unpredictable world, the importance of security in commercial properties cannot be overstated. From small businesses to large corporations, ensuring the safety and security of assets, employees, and customers is paramount. Professional security services play a critical role in safeguarding commercial properties, providing not just protection but also peace of mind. Let’s explore why having a robust security plan in place is essential for any business and how professional security services contribute to a secure environment.

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Insights, Pro Tips

7 Benefits of Professional Commercial Facility Management

by The Pros
April 19, 2024

Are you struggling to keep up with all the tasks that come along with owning a commercial building on a daily basis? If so, you might be able to benefit from bringing a facility management company on board to help you with them.

There are quite a few facility maintenance companies operating throughout the U.S. at this time. They’ll be able to set you up with the facility management services you need to keep your commercial building in great shape without you having to lift a finger.

If you’re not sure whether or not you should take advantage of these services, you should learn about some of the biggest benefits of hiring a commercial building management company to assist you. Check out seven of these benefits below.

1. Saves Time

If you’re trying to tackle everything that needs to be done in your commercial building on your own day in and day out, you’re no doubt spending a ton of time doing it. Just think about what you might be able to do with all this time if you were to hire one of the best facility maintenance companies in your area to help you. There are probably a million and one other things you could do with your time if you didn’t constantly have to worry about doing things like building administrative duties. You could argue that this is the No. 1 reason to consider working with a facility management company right away.

2. Optimizes Operations

Outside of the fact that you’re likely wasting a lot of time by doing facility management yourself, you also might not be running a tight ship when you take this approach to maintaining your building. It’ll be almost impossible for you to maintain your building efficiently and effectively without any help. It’s another great reason to consider calling on one of your local facility maintenance companies for assistance. They’ll be able to optimize your operations so that your building gets maintained in a very efficient manner. You won’t have to worry about inefficiencies taking a toll on your building anymore.

3. Enhances Experiences

You want everyone who either operates a business out of your commercial building or visits your commercial building for one reason or another to have excellent experiences in it. But there is no guarantee this is going to happen if you don’t take it upon yourself to provide them with a safe and aesthetically pleasing commercial building. You can enhance the experiences of all those who work out of or visit your commercial building by hiring one of your nearby facility maintenance companies to help you out with it. People will provide your building with rave reviews when they notice it’s being properly maintained at all times.

4. Improves Appearance

As we just alluded to, you want your commercial building to look its best at all times. But if your building isn’t getting cleaned by a reputable company and maintained in other ways, it could very well miss the mark in the looks department. You can reverse this trend with help from a facility management company. They’ll be able to make every aspect of your commercial building shine so that people are blown away by how nice it looks every single time they set foot in it.

5. Ensures Safety

If you don’t stay on top of commercial building maintenance, it could affect more than just the way it looks. It could also start to have an impact on the safety of your building before long. Your floors, for example, could become very slippery if they aren’t being cleaned almost every day. This could result in slip and fall accidents taking place, which could lead to injuries occurring and possibly even lawsuits being filed against you.

You’ll also need to maintain things like elevators and stairwells in your building since they could also lead to injuries if you’re not careful. You can reduce many of the risks in your commercial building by making it a point to hire facility maintenance companies to keep you safe.

6. Cuts Costs

When you hire one of your local facility maintenance companies to help you maintain your commercial building, it’s going to come at a cost. You’ll need to be prepared to shell out at least some money every month to maintain your working relationship with this company. Because of this, you might not think you can afford to continue to work with a facility management company. But the simple truth is that you might not be able to afford not to work with a company like this. They can help you cut your operating costs in no time and save you money in the long run.

It would be worth crunching the numbers to see how much money a facility management company might be able to save you.

7. Boosts Bottom Line

In addition to saving you money, hiring one of the best facility maintenance companies around should also help boost your bottom line in a big way. By maintaining your building for you, this company will help keep its value high and allow you to rent out portions of your building for top dollar. You might not always be able to boost your bottom line like this when you’re trying to keep up with maintaining your commercial building on your own. You could very well start to see your building’s value go down before long when you aren’t able to make a strong enough effort to maintain it.

Start Working With One of the Best Facility Maintenance Companies

At this point, the benefits of working with facility maintenance companies should be crystal clear. You should keep them in mind as you look around for a commercial building management company to help you out.

BlueChip Pros can help you get immediate access to all these benefits when you hire us. We’ll deliver all the facility management services your building needs for a price you can afford.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about the services we can offer.

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Insights, Pro Tips

The Only Commercial Building Maintenance Checklist You’ll Need

by The Pros
February 7, 2024

At the moment, the U.S. is home to around 6 million commercial buildings. These buildings consist of almost 100 billion square feet of space. As you might imagine, all this space can make life difficult for commercial building owners. It isn’t always easy for them to keep up with all the commercial maintenance that must be done.

From preventative maintenance to emergency building maintenance, there will always be tasks for building owners to tackle. Luckily, they can simplify things by keeping a commercial maintenance checklist nearby and working their way through it. Here are the items that should definitely appear on your commercial maintenance checklist if you own a building and want to keep it in great shape.

Replace Light Bulbs

When you own a commercial building, there will be light bulbs on both the inside and outside of it that will burn out all the time. It’ll be up to you to have these burnt-out light bulbs replaced ASAP. Otherwise, a lack of commercial lighting could be a real safety issue. You might also want to explore the idea of using LED light bulbs versus traditional incandescent light bulbs or fluorescent lighting. It’ll cut your building’s energy costs and help you avoid having to replace light bulbs as often as you do now.

Replace HVAC Air Filters

You’ll also need to get into the habit of replacing HVAC air filters. It’ll ensure that your HVAC system isn’t working harder than it should to heat and cool your building. Most HVAC air filters will have to be replaced about once every three months. But you might want to think about doing it more often than that if you have a lot of dirt, dust, and other debris in your building. It’ll guarantee that your HVAC air filter won’t get clogged up and stop your HVAC system from running efficiently.

Clean Floors

There are different forms of commercial cleaning that you’ll need to do in your building regularly. For instance, you’ll need to make sure your floors are cleaned consistently, especially those floors in entryways and common areas. If you allow your floors to get too dirty, they could become quite slippery and lead to slip-and-fall accidents. You’ll want to steer clear of this at all costs for the sake of everyone who works within your commercial building.

Clean Windows

The floors aren’t the only things you’ll need to commit to cleaning early and often in your commercial building. You’ll also need to have both the inside and outside of your windows cleaned at least once each month, if not more often than that. Clean windows will be easier to see out of, and they’ll also last for a longer time since dirt and other debris won’t be able to sneak inside them. You’ll find that clean windows will make your commercial building look more aesthetically pleasing overall.

Perform Pest Inspections

It isn’t uncommon at all for insects, rodents, and other pests to make their way inside commercial buildings. For this reason, you’ll want to have pest inspections performed as often as possible to stop a small pest infestation from turning into a big one. It might be almost impossible to keep all pests out of your commercial building. But you should be able to stop most of them from setting up shop in your building and doing any damage to it.

Look For Water Damage

Water damage will be one of the worst things that can happen to your commercial building. Leaks or standing water will do extensive damage if you aren’t able to catch it early enough. With this in mind, you should always be on the lookout for any signs of possible water damage. It would be worth inspecting your plumbing system and keeping a close eye on your roof to make sure it isn’t letting water leak into your building.

Service Fire Alarms and Fire Sprinkler System

If a fire ever breaks out in your commercial building, you want to know that your fire alarms and sprinkler system will all work properly. If they don’t, it could put people’s lives in danger and lead to your whole building being destroyed. You can run fire drills on your own to test your fire alarms. But you might need to bring in professionals to inspect your fire sprinkler system and see that it’s ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice if necessary.

Check Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Your commercial building will need to have a slew of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors scattered throughout it. If possible, you should try to hardwire them all so that you don’t have to worry about checking the batteries in them. But if they do run on batteries, inspecting them and replacing them accordingly will be necessary. You don’t want the batteries in these devices to die without anyone realizing it and then see them fail to work when you need them the most.

Inspect Doors and Locks

Your commercial building probably has tons of doors and locks situated in it. Inspecting these doors and locks to ensure they’re all in good working condition will need to be on your commercial maintenance checklist. If any doors and/or locks aren’t working, it could quickly become a security issue. You’ll need to have them replaced immediately to stop this from happening.

Take Feedback From Tenants

If you have tenants in your commercial building, you shouldn’t be afraid to take any feedback they might have and apply it. If you hear the same complaints about, say, your stairwells being too dark or your elevators not always working right, you’ll need to do something about them. If you don’t do anything to remedy the complaints your tenants send in your direction, it could lead to at least some of these tenants moving out of your building sooner rather than later.

Need Help With Commercial Maintenance? Call Us Today

Is commercial maintenance taking up too much of your time and preventing you from getting things done? BlueChip Pros can provide you with the facility management services you need.

We can help you maintain every single aspect of your commercial building so that you can focus on running your business. Taking advantage of our services will prove to be an excellent investment on your part.

Reach out to us today to get more information on our facility management services and the other services we offer.

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Pro Tips, Security

Safety And Security In Retail During The Holiday Rush

by The Pros
November 17, 2023

The holiday season is upon us, bringing not only joy and festivities but also an increase in retail activity. About 54% of business owners report more theft than usual around the holidays. Investing in enhanced business security measures is a good choice if you’re looking to safeguard your business this season. Let’s review about a few strategies to keep your customers, employees, and merchandise safe and secure.

Safeguard Your Inventory

The first note may seem obvious, but now is a good time to remind yourself to prioritize your most expensive inventory. High-ticket items like electronic devices, jewelry, and designer products carry a disproportionate level of risk. A single instance of retail theft could cost you thousands. That’s why it’s important that you lock up your most expensive inventory. Creating specific security measures for these items in particular is not a waste of time. Using padlocks, dedicated cases with thick plastic, or assigning staff or guards to monitor particular items will make it more difficult for shoplifters to access expensive items and can pre-emptively combat theft.

Set Up Cameras Around Your Shop

Cameras can act as a deterrent for those who would consider shoplifting from your store this holiday season. When criminals see cameras around inventory that they’re looking to snatch, they’ll think twice before trying to steal it. After all, no one wants their face associated with shoplifting. Make sure the cameras cover key areas such as entrances, exits, and high-traffic zones. Those signs indicating that the premises are under surveillance aren’t just legal disclaimers; they also add effectiveness to the system by making it more visible. If someone does manage to steal something, cameras can show you exactly who did it. You can show these videos to the police as evidence of the theft and evaluate the incident for opportunities to improve security.

Invest In Visible Human Security Presence

Security cameras are a big help, but studies show that only 44% of thieves are deterred by security cameras. However, that number almost doubles when you have visibly attentive employees, especially security guards. Adding the presence of security guards inside and outside the store makes it clear to customers and potential thieves that you take safety and security seriously. Parking lot patrols are also a good idea when creating an all-encompassing security plan.

Test All Security Equipment

Cameras, manual locks, electronically controlled locks, and tag sensors that safeguard inventory require regular testing. Management should ensure that these tools work as intended, or they will be ineffective. Cameras should be checked for obstructions, locks should be tested to ensure that they are in full working order, and the tag sensors at entrances and exits should be tested to ensure they sound the proper alarms. It’s also important to take extra time to ensure that holiday decorations and additional shelving have not been placed in front of cameras or in high-traffic areas.

Perform Background Checks on Seasonal Employees

The holidays in retail come with seasonal employees. You’ll be giving a whole new set of people access to your inventory. Performing thorough background checks may seem like overkill for a temporary employee, but, in reality, it may be more important. Someone with a criminal history may apply for a seasonal job with the intention of stealing merchandise via authorized access. There are a number of online professional background check tools these days. Find one and start using it to ensure you only hire trustworthy employees.

Enhance Your Holiday Business Security

While the holidays can be a time of great profit, they also invite more theft than other times. Securing your retail store during the holiday season requires combining technology, training, and a proactive approach. By implementing these measures, you will protect your assets and create a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for your customers. A secure store is not only a deterrent to potential criminals but also a testament to your commitment to the well-being of your customers and employees alike.

Now that you know how to promote your business security and safeguard your inventory, it’s time to take professional loss prevention measures. Contact BlueChip to learn more about how we can help you protect your retail property today.

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Pro Tips

9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Janitorial Company for Your Office

by The Pros
July 18, 2023

A sparkling clean office makes a positive impression on your customers or clients. Your employees appreciate a clean work environment too.

Janitorial services for your office take the stress off of you. You don’t have to worry about day-to-day cleaning when you have professional commercial cleaners handling the job.

Before hiring a janitorial company, it’s important to know you’ll receive a high standard of service. Do your research and don’t hesitate to interview potential office cleaning candidates.

Here are nine questions to ask before hiring commercial janitorial services.

1. What is Your Experience Providing Office Cleaning Services?

It’s a good idea to choose a cleaning company that has years of experience in the industry. An experienced janitorial service is likely to have its processes down, so you’re more likely to get good results.

Ask if they have experience working with businesses like yours. Janitorial services aren’t all the same. A company that specializes in large industrial facilities may not be the best choice for small offices or other business sites.

Although a new cleaning service may do a good job, you can’t go wrong with an experienced janitorial service with trusted employees and excellent customer reviews.

2. Can you Provide References?

Before you hire a commercial cleaning company, you want to know how other clients feel about their services. Ask if they can provide references, testimonials, or client reviews.

Check out their business website. Search online for reviews of the company.

The more you know about them, the better you’ll feel about trusting them with your office space. Clients who have had very good or very bad experiences with a company often leave reviews.

One or two poor reviews may not be a problem if the majority of reviews are favorable. If you notice a pattern of negative reviews, steer clear and find another cleaning service.

3. Do You Screen Your Employees?

Commercial cleaners are often in your building when no one else is around. You have to trust the company before you allow strangers into your office.

Ask if they do background checks and how they screen employees. Ask whether the same cleaners will come to your business each time.

Knowing that they take pride in their hiring process will help you feel more confident having their employees on-site.

4. Are You Insured?

Insurance is a must for any business. It’s essential that a cleaning company has the proper insurance in case there’s a mishap on your property.

Your company’s insurance protects you to a certain extent. But you need to be sure a commercial cleaner has their own insurance, including worker’s compensation and liability coverage.

Ask to see proof of certification and insurance. You can often find this information on their business website.

5. Do You Offer a Contract?

Some businesses don’t want to sign a contract for cleaning services, while others do. Consider your office cleaning needs and whether a contract will offer the flexibility and protection you need.

Before you sign a contract, ask questions and read the fine print. Ask whether the cleaning service offers a satisfaction guarantee.

Make sure you know if they’re available for emergencies and how long it would take for someone to arrive. Have a clear understanding of their fees and the types of services they do and don’t provide.

Make sure they have high standards of cleanliness to keep your employees and customers safe and healthy.

6. What is Your Employee Turnover Rate?

Some cleaning companies have high employee turnover rates. Ideally, you want to choose an established company with a loyal group of established employees.

It’s better for your business if there’s consistency in who is coming in and out of your office building. They’re more likely to know your specific cleaning needs and respect your property.

Request to be notified when there are staffing changes. Hiring a company that has pride in its employees will give you peace of mind.

7. Do You Have Quality Control Checks?

Quality assurance in the cleaning industry is essential. When hiring a janitor, you want to be sure they provide cleaning services engineered for a healthy and sanitary work environment.

They should provide regular inspections to ensure that safety standards are met. A professional commercial cleaning company has cleaning processes in place that meet high standards.

They should be able to make cleaning adjustments as needed and communicate this information to you.

8. Do You Use Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products?

When you hire a janitor, it’s a good idea to ask about the types of products they will use in your building. You want to make sure they aren’t using extremely harsh or toxic chemicals.

Some cleaning companies offer eco-friendly products as an option. These types of cleaning products are better for the environment and can save you money.

Harsher chemicals do not always equal a cleaner building. Today’s environmentally friendly cleaning products are highly effective and safer for people and pets.

9. How Do You Handle Floor Care and Germ Hotspots?

Different types of floors require different cleaning processes. The needs for bathrooms, office spaces, entryways, and kitchen areas may be completely different.

High-traffic areas need special attention. A professional cleaning company understands that cleaning isn’t a one-size-fits-all process.

They should have a plan to make sure common areas and germ hotspots are properly cleaned and disinfected. Before you hire office cleaning services, make sure they plan to address your specific cleaning needs.

Hire the Best Janitorial Company for Your Business

Running a business is more than a full-time job. You have so many responsibilities and people that depend on you.

You probably don’t have time to worry about cleaning your office. The good news is a professional janitorial company can handle all your cleaning needs.

You want the healthiest and safest office possible for your customers and your employees. At Blue Chip Pros, we are committed to offering our customers outstanding, personalized cleaning services.

We focus on our clients’ core cleaning needs, providing the highest level of service and integrity.

Contact us today to learn more.

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Pro Tips, Security

BlueChip Pros Traffic Services Keep Pedestrians and Vehicles Safe During Utility Work

by The Pros
May 30, 2023

Much of today’s transportation safety system is automated and controlled via light cycles, schedules, and driving patterns. However, there are situations where there is no substitute for human intervention. When utility companies need to shut down a street, it often catches drivers and pedestrians by surprise. Having traffic management and flaggers in place alleviates confusion and stress on commuters and keeps the utility company employees safe.

Jeff Martin, VP of Traffic and Security Services at BlueChip Pros, expands on that thought,

“Traffic is not always predictable, especially in a construction zone. Accidents can happen, so it’s important to have a team on-site to minimize the danger from traffic. Clarity from traffic flaggers goes a long way.”

So the question remains how do traffic flaggers help?

Maintain Flow of Traffic

Flagging services help reduce traffic accidents by maintaining traffic flow. The team creates a plan to allow traffic to flow, whether it is one lane out or multiple lanes. Once everything is set up, the team provides explicit directions to ensure the proper amount of vehicles travel safely and efficiently past the work site.

Flaggers are trained to understand safety protocols and keep safety first. Having flaggers on-site helps direct drivers’ attention, curtail dangerous driving, and get traffic moving as it should.

Increased Safety Measures 

In dangerous areas or situations traffic flow is even more critical. Downed power lines, damaged roadways, utility equipment, and workers carry their own hazards. Traffic flaggers are specially trained and equipped to handle these types of situations. The flaggers handle the ancillary safety issues around traffic so that the utility or municipality workers can safely fix the problem. This promotes a safe, smooth, and successful project.

Achieve Compliance 

Hiring certified traffic control flaggers helps ensure you meet local and federal compliance. These traffic control flaggers are trained for many different emergency situations and must receive ongoing training to maintain certification. With trained professionals, you can expect them to perform their duties safely and diligently at all times.

Jeff Martin explains the training his flaggers receive,

“BlueChip Pros ensures you have the most qualified professionals working on your projects by following strict training guidelines. All of our professionals are required to have the highest level of training to meet the BlueChip standards for safety, compliance, and conscientiousness. Our training regimine includes classes on traffic flow, pedestrian and bicycle management, driver interaction, specialty equipment use, emergency response, and much more. The team is re-trained and re-certified every year.”

Excellent Service and Communication

Professional flaggers understand what an important role they play in traffic safety. They know politeness and punctuality are part of the job, too. You trust them to provide important services and protect the public, so they should be well-prepared to handle those situations. This is a big responsibility and one they take seriously.

When you work with a company that provides quality flagging services, you should expect excellent customer service and open communication. They should discuss your project with you, explain what services they can offer, and answer any questions you may have.

Hire the Best Traffic Control Flaggers

Traffic control flaggers have an essential job and perform many functions. Their training and experience help make difficult traffic spots safer for everyone involved. From local roads to highways, you can create the safest work zones on long-term or short-term projects by hiring traffic control and flagging services professionals.

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Pro Tips, Security

4 Business Security Tips You Need to Know

by The Pros
March 28, 2023

Crime rates have surged in the past few years—and businesses are paying the price. A break-in can be devastating for any business. You might lose assets you have to replace and can spend days repairing the damage, adding to the loss of revenue.

Business security might seem to you like an unnecessary cost. However, it pays for itself when you factor in all the disadvantages of a crime happening to your business.

But security isn’t easy to optimize. If you want to keep yourself safe, you’ll need to think about how you go about your security. This article will walk you through some of the top business security tips out there.

1. Hire a Guard

Hiring a guard is the most obvious way to upgrade your business’s security. Doing so increases the visibility of your company’s security. Criminals don’t pick a business at random—they case out multiple businesses and choose which ones they want to break into based on which they’re most likely to succeed at.

A guard doesn’t just provide the safety of protecting your property—it shows criminals that you take security seriously. Even if you don’t take other security measures, the criminals will assume you do because of the guard.

The guard, obviously, can stop crimes while they’re happening. They can confront would-be criminals and subdue people if need be.

If a crime does happen on their watch, they are also trained for dealing with the fall-out. They can call the police, and redirect customers, while your other employees focus on keeping the business running. After the excitement has died down they will help you make a plan to stop it from happening again.

You can also have them cover more mundane security tasks, like locking up and making sure your locks are doing well.

2. Install Cameras

Cameras are another great way to increase your company’s security profile. Even if you can’t afford to always keep a guard around, criminals will become very uncomfortable with the idea of being watched, and will likely not choose your business.

Cameras are a great way to get information of criminals, making it more likely for you to be able to catch them, apprehend them, and gain some compensation for their crimes.

A big advantage of cameras is that they can catch your employees committing crimes. They might be able to steal from the register behind the security guard’s back, but the eye in the sky sees all.

This will also keep your employees working as hard as possible, knowing that you could be checking in on their commitment.

3. Consider Mundane Security

Things like security guards and alarm systems are probably the first things that come to mind when you think of security—and hopefully, we’ve convinced you to consider them.

But often, some of the most important security tips you can take to keep your business safe are simple and mundane.

You definitely have locks on your doors—but are they up to date? Make sure your locks haven’t worn down—making them easy to break. Make sure you lock up every single night as well.

On the topic of locks—make sure you limit the number of keys to your business you have. Make sure that only essential and trustworthy employees have access to your keys.

If you’re just opening a new business, make sure you change the locks. The old occupant of your building might still have access to your building.

Take the money out of your cash register, and either take it with you or keep it in a safe with highly selective access when it comes to your employees. Leave the cash register open at night with no money in it to signal to criminals that they won’t find anything.

Something as simple as waste can also cost you seriously regarding security. Make sure you regularly shred important documents so that no one has access to sensitive information. Be careful what you throw out in trash cans that the public can access.

A security business can help you with these things as well.

4. Consider Cybersecurity

Did you know that cybercrime cost over a trillion dollars in 2022? Cybercriminals are getting smarter than ever, and cybersecurity can no longer be something added that you should care about—it has to be one of your main concerns.

A large part of cybersecurity is making sure you and your employees understand the threat. Low internet literacy is one of the biggest causes of cybersecurity break-ins. Common attacks—like phishing attacks—only work if you let the cybercriminal in.

A good cybersecurity company won’t just use technology like firewalls; they’ll hold seminars to teach your business about the newest threats in the cybersecurity world.

They’ll also be able to respond quickly to any breaches and break-ins that might happen to you, saving your IT team time and effort that they can devote to other parts of your business.

Understand Business Security

As you can see, there are many things you can do to improve business security. Security services extend beyond stopping crimes from happening and apprehending criminals.

Make sure that you consider the above options if you want to keep your business as safe as possible.

For more information on business security, contact us today.

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Pro Tips, Security

Get Your Security Prepared for the Retail Holiday Rush

by The Pros
September 16, 2022

About 54% of business owners report more theft than usual around the holidays. If you’re looking to safeguard your business this season, investing in enhanced business security measures is a good choice.

Here, we’re going to talk about theft prevention strategies for small and large retail businesses alike. Read on to learn how you can protect your inventory and your reputation.

Safeguard Your Inventory

Many stores sell expensive items like electronic devices, jewelry, and household appliances. A single instance of retail theft could cost you thousands if this describes your business.

That’s why it’s important that you lock up your most expensive inventory. A padlock and some thick plastic will make it more difficult for shoplifters to access expensive items and can pre-emptively combat theft.

Set Up Cameras Around Your Shop

Cameras can act as a deterrent for those who would consider shoplifting from your store this holiday season. When criminals see cameras around inventory that they’re looking to snatch, they’ll think twice before trying to steal it. After all, no one wants their face associated with shoplifting.

If someone does manage to steal something, cameras can show you exactly who did it. You can show these videos to the police as evidence of the theft. It will be much easier to get justice.

Test All Security Equipment

Both cameras and electronically-locked gates that safeguard inventory require testing. You need to make sure that they actually work or they’ll be ineffective. Ask professionals how you can test your technology to ensure that it’s all set up and ready to go.

At this point, you also should have someone check all the cameras for obstructions. Many shop owners accidentally place holiday decorations and shelving in front of cameras, rendering them useless. Test the footage so this doesn’t happen to you.

Perform Background Checks on Seasonal Employees

Holiday retail comes with seasonal employee hire, which means that you’ll be giving new people access to inventory.

Make sure that you perform thorough background checks on new hires. Someone with a criminal history may apply for a job so that they can steal merchandise via authorized access. You can use online professional background check tools to ensure that you’re only hiring trustworthy employees.

Invest in Security Patrols

Studies show that only 44% of thieves are deterred by security cameras. However, the vast majority will think twice about stealing if an employee or security guard is physically present.

Make sure that you hire security guards to patrol your store during the holiday rush. Parking lot patrols are also a good idea so that someone can catch thieves that run outside with merchandise.

Enhance Your Holiday Business Security

While the holidays can be a time of great profit, they also invite more theft than other times of the year.

Now that you know how to promote your business security and safeguard your inventory, it’s time to take professional loss prevention measures. Contact BlueChip to learn more about the ways that we can help you protect your retail property today.

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Pro Tips

Warehouse Cleanliness Plays Vital Role In Keeping Businesses Running

by The Pros
July 26, 2022

A messy warehouse can result in downtime of warehouse operations, which not only affects the company’s bottom line but also makes the area a hazardous place for workers or anyone who enters the facility. This is why regular warehouse cleaning is an important part of a company’s safety program.

Here are reasons a clean warehouse can help boost employee productivity and workplace safety.

ENCOURAGES EMPLOYEES TO WORK METICULOUSLY

When a company’s leadership invests time and resources on keeping warehouses clean, it delivers a positive message to the people working on the floor. Employees will feel that management looks after their health and safety, hence, employees are motivated to keep their areas tidy and clutter-free. This way it will be easier for employees to find the supplies and equipment they need. A clean warehouse reduces stress, allowing workers to focus on completing their tasks faster and more efficiently.

INCREASES ACCURACY IN INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

A messy or dirty facility can bog down operations and sometimes lead to costly mistakes. Clean warehouses can help lower costs related to inventory management. The cost that a company spends on commercial cleaning services translates to increased profitability and lower inventory management costs. Having an organized warehouse enables a company to have better control of its warehouses processes, such as checking the shelf-life of products, managing stocks for write-off, and monitoring inventory levels to prevent overstocking or stock outs.

PREVENTS ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES

Companies are required to comply with federal and state occupational health and safety regulations, which include keeping a clean and organized working environment. Slips, trips, and falls as well as falling objects from shelves and racks are some of the most common causes of accidents and injuries in the workplace. They can result in sick days and hospitalization which affects the employee’s productivity. When a warehouse is kept clean, organized, and free from obstruction, it leads to better ergonomics and increased visibility, hence, reducing risks and hazards.

Conveyors, pallets, lifts, and other productivity tools are a common sight in warehouses. These machines and equipment must be kept free from dust and debris that may damage or affect its operational efficiency. Regular warehouse cleaning helps in prevent dirt build-up, shielding parts like bearing and motors from dirt that if left uncleaned or unmaintained, may lead to costly repair or replacement.

REFLECTS PROFESSIONALISM

A clean working environment reflects the company’s values. Nowadays, warehouses are not just used as storage facilities but also as distribution centers where warehouse employees interact with suppliers and customers. If a company keeps its warehouse clean, it creates a professional image and leaves a positive impression. When customers and business partners see that a company puts great effort in keeping their facility clean and organized, they will continue to trust the company and not take their business elsewhere.

As described above, having a clean warehouse is an integral part of a company’s strategic operations. Clean and organized warehouses ensure safety compliance, boosts productivity, and efficiency.

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Pro Tips

How Hiring a Facility Manager Can Save You Time, Energy, and Money

by The Pros
June 10, 2022

Businesses are increasing their space as people return to in-person work, with leasing for Q1 this year up 19% over 2021. Whether to offices or other facilities, the “Great Return” is well underway.

For staff, it’s a shock to the system. The financial and time cost of commuting are taking their toll.

For managers, getting a barely-used facility operational is a daunting task, on top of maintaining morale.

Contracting a facility manager is now more crucial than ever. They lighten the load on business owners and improve morale by maintaining facilities to a standard worth commuting for.

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