How to get your company to value security

Aug 1, 1997 12:00 PM, DR. STEPHENIE SLAHOR

           

To get the most out of your security department, foster a climate of partnership with the business side of the company. There are many different names for the business of security in the corporate environment - loss prevention, security department, employee and product safety section. But they all refer to the same thing: the need for a safe and secure environment.

Steve Charrier, president of the Learning Center in San Anselmo, Calif., has spoken to members of the American Society for Industrial Security on proactive partnerships between business and security.

First, Charrier says, do away with the notion of the "corporate cop." Security is much more than that these days. Security is a part of the team that helps the corporation reach its goals; it is not a "them and us" situation.

Charrier says each side must participate in a full partnership, matching security needs to the jobs to be done, carrying out assignments, eliciting input and accomplishing goals. Security involves a lively participation by both sides in a constant progression to goals and overall success.

The security staff must have specific tasks to match the expectations of the company. Nothing should be assumed. There should be accurate and full feedback on what is to be done and how it is to be accomplished. Anything indirect or incomplete will only build them-and-us negativism, which fosters isolation, stress and blame, says Charrier.

Obviously, then, communication is key. Service within the organization must be of the same proactive, solution-oriented service offered to customers and clients, says Charrier. He contends that you must have problem identification, accurate and tactful communication among all involved parties, conflict resolution, clearly defined wants and needs with no hidden standards, and assigned accountabilities. Only then can performance be measured adequately in light of internal responsibility and progress toward goals of the organization.

The byproduct of all the attention to detail and planning is performance and trust, which Charrier says are the essential foundations for the partnership. The process must be ongoing, as problems are met, priorities clarified and plans developed to address each situation. When a clear, recognizable goal is set and a plan with assigned accountabilities is in place, the partnership functions with support and thoroughness.

Security helps an organization reach its goals. Partnering the corporate structure with security pays dividends in efficiency, cost-effectiveness and, ultimately, safety of people, property and assets.

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