Security Protects Against Business Interruption

Restaurants can be easy targets for thieves. Dim lighting, high traffic and a fast-paced environment mean restaurant workers have trouble detecting and preventing theft. Fortunately, there are ways to improve security at your restaurant and avoid potential business interruptions.

Building Exterior Security

Keeping your restaurant safe begins on the outside. Consider the following measures to keep your building secure.

• Lighting – It may seem simple, but lighting can have a big effect on building security, as criminals prefer to target places where their actions can easily be concealed by darkness. Make sure entrance ways, walking paths and parking lots are adequately lit. Motion-detecting lights are also helpful by doors that are not often used.

• Locks – Again, a simple security measure that is also essential. Front doors should always be locked during non-business hours. Any back doors that are used for emptying garbage or employee breaks should remain locked at all times. If a back door is used frequently, install a key card entry system on the door. With this method, lock the door and turn the system off after business hours to further increase security.After locks are installed, they must be checked regularly to ensure they stay in working order. Also, keep an eye on the condition of doors. If they fall into disrepair, their effectiveness as a method of protection will be weakened.

• Landscaping – A well-landscaped property can improve security at your restaurant in several ways. First, a well-maintained property gives the impression that the premise is under the supervision of attentive management, so show your presence by keeping the grounds well groomed. Second, just like poor lighting, an overgrowth of bushes and trees may create blind spots that can be used to conceal criminal activity. When choosing plants to be placed around windows and doors, pick ones that will remain relatively short, and trim them regularly.

• Security cameras or on-site security personnel – Deciding to employ security guards or install security cameras depends on the individual situation. Often,, such measures are not needed on the building’s exterior to provide the reasonable amount of security required of restaurant owners, but they can be beneficial in situations where a specific security concern may need extra attention. If the property is located in a high-crime area, security cameras or on-site personnel may be necessary.

• Steel bars/bulletproof glass – Steel bars and bulletproof glass can be important security additions to your restaurant’s windows, and are helpful if your restaurant has a drive-thru.

Building Interior Security

If a thief gains entry to the restaurant despite the exterior security measures, there are ways to deter the person once he or she is inside.

• Alarm system – Install an alarm system that is monitored by a licensed security company. If there is a break-in, they will be notified and can dispatch the police to the restaurant to investigate. Make sure it is loud when triggered and is located where a thief can easily spot it.
• Safes – Frequently deposit cash into a damage-resistant safe during hours of operation. Keep the safe out of sight and ensure only high-level employees know its location. Never leave the keys or code for the safe lying around. Safes that can only be opened at certain times add extra security.
• Varying banking procedures – Thieves pay close attention to the routines of workers, so it’s important to change up how the restaurant does sensitive tasks such as banking and other cash handling activities. In this case, not having a routine is a positive thing.
• Physical inventories – Either hire an outside company to perform physical inventories regularly or perform them in-house. If thieves see you physically counting merchandise, they are less likely to steal it.
• Data security – Identity theft is a growing trend in restaurants. Thieves can place credit card skimming devices on point-of-sale (POS) terminals and collect a customer’s credit card information when the card is swiped by an employee. Employees that handle customer credit cards should be trained to detect any abnormal devices in and around POS terminals.
• Never opening or closing alone – Make sure there is always more than one person opening or closing the restaurant. Before closing, check bathrooms and other areas where a person could hide to ensure thieves aren’t staying behind after hours.
• CCTV – Install a closed circuit television (CCTV) system that is easily visible for both employees and customers. If thieves know they’re being watched, they are unlikely to steal from the restaurant. Make sure the video equipment is locked safely in a room at all times.

Don’t Take Anything for Granted

It doesn’t matter if your restaurant is big or small—thieves will take advantage if you have lax security measures. In addition to these various security measures, training employees on how to spot potential thieves will go a long way to maintaining a successful restaurant.

Working with Cash

Helpful tips for handling money on the job

Having cash on hand creates a significant risk for any business, and it’s important for you to understand how to safely handle cash that you are responsible for.

Cash Drawers

When using a cash drawer:

·       Open it only when making a transaction.

·       Close the drawer before you package merchandise the customer may have purchased.

·       Leave the bills the customer gave you on top of the drawer until after making change to keep a record of what the customer paid in case of dispute.

·       Never leave an open cash drawer unattended for any length of time.

·       Notify your supervisor when you build up excess cash in your drawer so it can be moved to a more secure location.

·       Never count cash drawers in front of customers. Always count the contents of the drawer in a secure, private area.

·       Always lock the cash drawer and remove the key when it is not in use.

·       If the premises will be unattended overnight, empty the cash drawer and leave it open to deter damage in the event of a break-in.

Bank Drops

There may be a time when you will have to bring cash to the bank on behalf of . Remember these tips while moving cash:

·       Never establish a routine for deposits. Vary the time and the route you take as much as possible.

·       Always try to take someone with you. Go by yourself only as a last resort.

·       Alert someone that you are leaving with the deposit and also tell them when you should be returning.

·       Transport cash in something that doesn’t draw attention to you. If you are using a bank bag or similar container, always put it in something unidentifiable.

·       Do not use public transportation.

·       If taking a taxi, use a reputable company, and always call for it by phone instead of flagging one down once you’ve reached the street.

·       If walking, choose busy streets that will keep you close by people.

·       Do not make other stops before the deposit.

Hold-Ups

Even when employees take all the proper precautions, there is still chance for a robbery. If such a robbery occurs while you are at work, remember:

·       Try to remain as calm as possible.

·       Comply with the robber’s instructions.

·       Give them any money or goods that they ask for.

·       Make mental notes about the robber’s appearance so you can inform police.

·       Never attempt to physically stop an armed robber.

Remember that no amount of money is worth a life.

Developing a Small Business Disaster Recovery Plan

Article from www.iii.org website

Businesses that are forced to close down following a disaster run the risk of never being able to open their doors again. While there’s no way to lower the risk of a natural disaster like a hurricane, there are critical measures that can be taken to protect your company’s bottom line from nature’s fury. A disaster plan and adequate insurance are keys to recovery.

Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan

No matter how small or large a business, a business impact analysis should be developed to identify what an operation must do to protect itself in the face of a natural disaster. Large corporations often hire risk managers to handle this task and some companies hire consultants with expertise in disaster planning and recovery to assist them with their plans. But small businesses can do the analysis and planning on their own.

STEPS FOR DEVELOPING A BUSINESS RECOVERY PLAN 

• Set up an emergency response plan and train employees how to carry it out. Make sure employees know whom to notify about the disaster and what measures to take to preserve life and limit property losses.
• Write out each step of the plan and assign responsibilities to employees in clear and simple language. Practice the procedures set out in the emergency response plan with regular, scheduled drills.
• Compile a list of important phone numbers and addresses.Make sure you can get in touch with key people after the disaster. The list should include local and state emergency management agencies, major clients, contractors, suppliers, realtors, financial institutions, insurance agents and insurance company claim representatives.
• Decide on a communications strategy to prevent loss of customers. Post notices outside your premises; contact clients by phone, email or regular mail; place a notice in local newspapers.
• Consider the things you may need initially during the emergency. Do you need a back-up source of power? Do you have a back-up communications system?
• Human Resources. Protect employees and customers from injury on the premises. Consider the possible impact a disaster will have on your employees’ ability to return to work and how customers can return to your shop or receive goods or services.
• Physical Resources. Inspect your business’ plant(s) and assess the impact a disaster would have on facilities. Make sure your plans conform to local building code requirements.
• Business Community. Even if your business escapes a disaster, there is still a risk that it could suffer significant losses due to the inability of suppliers to deliver goods or services or a reduction in customers. Businesses should communicate with their suppliers and markets (especially if they are selling to a business as a supplier) about their disaster preparedness and recovery plans, so that everyone is prepared.
• Protect Your Building. If you own the structure that houses your business, integrate disaster protection for the building as well as the contents into your plan. Consider the financial impact if your business shuts down as a result of a disaster. What would be the impact for a day, a week or an entire revenue period?
• Keep Duplicate Records. Back-up computerized data files regularly and store them off-premises. Keep copies of important records and documents in a safe deposit box and make sure they’re up-to-date.
• Identify critical business activities and the resources needed to support them. If you cannot afford to shut down your operations, even temporarily, determine what you require to run the business at another location.
• Find alternative facilities, equipment and supplies, and locate qualified contractors. Consider a reciprocity agreement with another business. Try to get an advance commitment from at least one contractor to respond to your needs.
• Protect computer systems and data. Data storage firms offer offsite backups of computer data that can be updated regularly via high-speed modem or through the Internet. 

REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE PLAN

Make sure you have sufficient coverage to pay for the indirect costs of the disaster—the disruption to your business—as well as the cost of repair or rebuilding. Most policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage and you may need to buy separate insurance for these perils. Be sure you understand your policy deductibles and limits.

New additions or improvements should also be reflected in your policy. This includes construction improvement to a property and the addition...

Read More at www.iii.org

5 ways to prepare your business for tornado season

Thursday, April 04, 2013 via Secura Insurance 

Peak tornado season runs from mid-spring through early summer and, if a tornado strikes near your business, you need to react quickly. That’s why it’s crucial to develop a severe weather plan and safe areas for your employees. Follow these steps to get your company and employees ready for storm season:

1. Determine how much space you’ll require. You should have enough safe areas to fit all employees and any guests who may be in the building at the time of a tornado. Use the following guidelines from FEMA for how much space you need:

  •  Occupants (standing and seated): 5 square feet per person
  •  Wheelchair users: 10 square feet per person

2. Walk through your building to identify the safest areas. The basement typically is best. If your building doesn’t have a basement, select an area on the lowest level. Ideally, this space should be a small interior room or corridor. Avoid areas with windows and rooms with high ceilings or outside walls — these are more likely to be damaged during a storm.

3. Assess the exterior of the building. Look for trees, poles, and other items that could fall or hit the building. Don’t choose safe areas near these hazards.

4. Hold tornado drills often. Employees in all parts of the building should know where to go and practice the paths to get there.

5. Monitor the weather. A tornado watch means conditions are right for a tornado and there is a high probability of one in the surrounding area. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted in your county, or one is moving toward your area. It also could signify that weather radar indicates a high probability of a tornado.

Someone in your building should have access to a weather radio to listen for severe weather alerts. They also should monitor local radar information if a watch or warning has been issued and provide alerts and/or directions to employees.

For more information, visit www.disastersafety.org/tornado/protecting-employees or www.ready.gov/tornadoes.

Labels: Protect your business, Safety tips