The purpose of this newsletter is to inform business’s of loss prevention issues, news items and ways to enhance your loss prevention programs.  Since NWLPC is also a company that performs mystery shopping we will include information on that as well.

If you are receiving this newsletter but feel it may not pertain to you specifically there may be items that you will find interesting and will forward to friends and business partners. 

Washington Liquor Control

As with other states, Washington is proactive when sending undercover officers in business’s that serve alcohol.  Their purpose is to make sure underage customers are not being served, that employees are not drinking on the job, intoxicated people are not being served along with other areas if importance.

In July 2008 77  Washington businesses were fined for liquor violations.. 56 of those violations involved selling and/or serving alcohol to someone under 21.  The fines ranged from $300 to $500.   How much in sales would it take to make up for that lost profit?  Let’s say you paid a $300 fine and your profit margin is 15%. You would need $2000 in sales to make up what you spent in fines  (amount of fine divided by your profit margin).

If it is a continual problem fines go up and eventually you could loose your liquor license.

STAY PROACTIVE.  Northwest Loss Prevention Consultants can send shoppers within a certain age range to see if they are ID’d, and to see if anyone else coming in is being ID’d.  In some cases this shows the liquor control board that you are diligent when it comes to checking ID. Many restaurants and bars utilize this service to monitor if their employees do in fact check ID’s.

WA Woman Jailed for Embezzlement

Last week in Tacoma a woman was sentenced to over 4 years in prison for embezzling money from her employer.  She took the money from her employers accounts by using “intricate maneuvers”  to cover her trail.  She even stole $20,000 to pay her defense attorney!

This is one case of many that shows it is beneficial to have an outside CPA or a private investigator specializing in forensic accounting to come in and check your books every quarter at least.

Oh, did I mention the loss was an estimated $1.6 million?

MYSTERY SHOPPING

In today’s economy customers are more important than ever, and giving customers exceptional customer service is what could make or break a retailer or restaurant.

Having a mystery shopping program is a very cost effective way to monitor your customers perception of customer service, product presentation and policy adherence.

Mystery shopping is not designed to “punish” employees but  to be used as a learning tool in helping them give better service and to stay within your expectations.

Employees should be recognized for a job well done if their mystery shopping score is within your expectation, or reward the entire store on an exceptional shop.  This will help the employees buy in to the program and for you to achieve the results you expect.

QUESTIONS FOR DOUG

Q:  I noticed that you do pre-employment background checks.  Can you perform backgrounds on someone I am thinking of hiring  to do work at my home?

A: Yes!  If you are thinking of hiring a nanny, caregiver or anyone who will be in your home    you should have a background done.  There are many horror stories out there that wouldn’t be horror stories if a background check was conducted.

I did an unscientific survey a month ago where I called people advertising in the newspaper that they were looking for a nanny/babysitter to come to their home to babysit.  All but 1 required only  a reference and did not want to do a background.  Think about it, how many “bad” references do you think will be given.

If you have any questions regarding loss prevention, mystery shops or pre-employment screening please email those to doug@nwlpc.com. In the subject line please put “Newsletter”

NEXT MONTH

• Mystery Shops vs. Surveys
• Pre-Employment Screening Truths and Myths
• Employee Theft Issues of the Month
• News Stories of Interest
• Questions and Answers