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Pro Tips, Security

Get Your Security Prepared for the Retail Holiday Rush

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

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

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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COVID-19, Pro Tips

Disinfecting the Work Place From the COVID-19 Delta Variant

By now, we all know pretty much everything there is to know about COVID. We know how it spreads, what the symptoms of the virus are, and how the vaccine works to keep us safer. We’re a world of COVID experts!

But, what people still aren’t sure about is how they can clean workspaces to stay safe from the virus, especially with the Delta variant. As something that’s highly transmissible, how do you keep it out of your work place?

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Pro Tips

Five Reasons to Outsource Facility Management

Business operating expenses can be as much as 80 percent of a business’s gross revenue If your company is looking for a way to save money and increase productivity, then outsourcing facility management may be the answer.

Outsourcing has a lot of benefits, and if you choose the right facility manager you and your staff will save a lot of valuable time. This time can be channeled into other areas of your business.

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COVID-19, Pro Tips

Best Disinfecting Services to Keep Your Business Safe during COVID-19

Do you own or manage a business? Are you wondering about disinfecting practices necessary for keeping your building safe while COVID-19 is still a concern?

Traditional facility cleaning services won’t get your building as clean as it needs to be when germs are such a serious threat. It’s critical to take every precaution possible in order to ensure the safety of your employees, clients, and customers.

Here are the disinfecting services you’ll need for your business.

Disinfecting Practices

Your regular disinfecting routine will need to get stepped up during these times. This is especially true if there are high rates of COVID-19 infections in your community, or if there are low vaccination numbers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a list of disinfectants that are effective at removing the COVID-19 germs on surfaces. When using them, it’s critical to use any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) recommended on the label. These include goggles, masks, and plastic gloves.

Your label will also tell you how long a product needs to remain on a surface in order to be effective. Make sure to read it thoroughly.

It’s important to wipe down frequently touched surfaces regularly in your place of business. These could include door handles, keyboards, and light switches. Phones, countertops, and facuets will also require extra attention.

Public areas should get cleaned four times a day and meeting rooms should get disinfected after each meeting. Bathrooms and kitchens should get wiped down twice a day.

If necessary, hire a qualified cleaning service to make sure that your place of business is properly disinfected each day. This will give you and your staff a chance to focus on other business matters as they arise. 

Desktops

If you’re managing an office space, employees can be responsible for the wiping down of their own desktops at the end of the day. You can also hire a service to make sure everything is properly sanitized.

Employees should clean their desk surfaces, as well as any personal items on their desks that they touch frequently. These could include pens, tape dispensers, and staplers.

If your employees use individual phones, they should get unplugged and disinfected. This includes the chords and buttons.

Keyboards can get wiped down with disinfectant wipes that have been squeezed to wipe out excess moisture. The mouse should get unplugged and completely wiped down, including the scroll and sides. If your employees use laptops, they can swipe a disinfectant wipe across the touchpad as long as there is no excess moisture.

Computer screens should get wiped down with a microfiber cloth. You can also use a use a diluted solution of warm water and a mild dish soap. You’ll need to wipe off any soapy residue to avoid damaging the machine.

Floors and Carpets

Disinfect floors using an EPA-approved cleaner each day, and more often if someone has been sick. Be sure to use proper PPE.

If your place of work has hardwood floors, begin by using a vacuum with a soft-bristled floor brush attachment to clean up dust and debris. You can then mop using a disinfectant made specifically for hardwood floors since you don’t want to damage the surface.

If you have carpeting, make sure you vacuum slowly and pick up the dirt in all of the corners of the space. If necessary, lift furniture to make sure you don’t miss any dust or dirt.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are a popular place for germs to hang out. And a global pandemic is a good reason to go beyond wiping down the surface.

Sinks should get sprayed with disinfectant spray and wiped out with a cloth or sponge. Spray down faucets and mirrors and be sure to leave disinfectants on for the appropriate amount of time.

Toilets should be cleaned out regularly with a generous amount of toilet bowl cleaner. This has to sit for at least five minutes before you clean out the toilet with a stiff-brustled brush. Wipe down the toilet seat and wipes with disinfectant spray.

Tiles around the bathroom should also be disinfected regularly. You can clean out the grout with a mix of clorine bleach and water. Scrub this away using a stiff brush or toothbrush.

In addition, dust may need to be removed from the grill of your bathroom fan. Be sure to remove it in sudsy water and replace it regularly.

Personal Hygiene Reminders

During such a sensitive time, it can help to have signs around that remind your employees and clients to use proper hygiene.

For example, hands should be scrubbed regularly for at least 20 seconds. Employees should lather their hands and be sure to scrub the backs of their hands as well as their fingernails. Everyone should be reminded to wash their hands after they cough, sneeze, and blow their nose.

In addition, you can make hand sanitizer available at various spots within your establishments, reminding staff members and patrons to sanitize whenever possible.

Some establishments also provide disposable masks to those who enter. These can help protect against droplets and sprays that may spread germs. It also lets others know that you’re taking measures to protect their health.

Disinfecting Services During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has made cleanliness and hygiene extremely important in our places of business. With the right disinfecting services, you could be keeping your building as healthy as possible in no time.

Don’t stop getting smart about your employee health now. For professionals who specialize in business disinfecting services, contact us today.

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Pro Tips, Security

4 Ways Managing Your Own Security Guards is Costing You

In many cases, it may seem logical to hire in-house security guards to keep your building, property, employees, assets, and customers safe. Many believe that keeping your security services in-house is a cost savings solution. In reality, outsourcing your security guard protection to a reputable and experienced security services company is usually a more affordable, effective, and time-saving choice for businesses. Let’s take a look at four (4) of the ways self-managing your security team is costing you and why you will want to make the switch and outsource your security needs.

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