Making a small business successful takes a lot of hard work. It only makes sense that you should protect your hard work and investment from security risks like theft, vandalism and other damages.
Camera surveillance systems help to prevent loss to your business. Here’s how:
# 1 – Security cameras prevent crime. One of the primary benefits of having a surveillance system is that the presence of cameras can deter criminals from committing a crime. Mounting cameras in key places will let would-be criminals know they are being recorded. Carefully placed signs can also let people know that camera surveillance is present. Camera surveillance is enough to stop most theft, break-ins and vandalism. A recent study by Washington University’s Lamar looked at employee behavior at nearly 400 American restaurants and found that monitoring reduced restaurant employee theft by 22%. It is easy to see how the security cameras in those small businesses paid for themselves.
At a minimum, a small business should have cameras that cover the entrance and cameras that watch the cash register.
# 2 – Provide evidence. Whether a crime has been committed or an accident happens at the workplace, security cameras can show exactly what happened. Having footage stored as evidence can be the one thing that helps solve a crime or dispute a liability lawsuit. Your insurance company may even offer reduced premiums for a having a security camera installed at your business.
# 3 – Improves employee productivity. When the cat is away, the mice will play. Well what if the boss could have a look at what employees are doing at any given moment? You guessed it, employees do not slack off as much if they know they are being monitored. Real-time monitored cameras allow employers to see which employees are working hard and which are hardly working.
# 4 – Improves customer service. Not only does the presence of security cameras give your customers a sense of security while at your business, cameras can also be used to help analyze your business and train employees on how to deliver the best customer service.
Cameras used on the exterior of a small business can be used to improve customer service by remotely monitoring the outside environment. They can help you answer questions like:
- Are the parking lot and walkways lot free of trash, debris or even ice and snow?
- How much parking is still available?
- Are shopping carts being corralled and collected?
- Do any lights need to be replaced outside so customers can see at night?
Security cameras provide even more customer service benefits on the inside of a small business. They can help you answer questions like:
- Is the store clean and ready for business on time?
- Are the shelves stocked and aisles clear of inventory?
- Are their long lines of customers forming at the registers?
- Are employees helping customers find what they are looking for?
- Am I staffed correctly?
The customer service questions that security cameras can answer are almost infinite. Every small business has its own unique situation where surveillance can be used to improve customer service.
# 5 – Security cameras are financially beneficial. The initial cost of the surveillance system will certainly be offset by the money a small business will quickly be saving. Reducing shoplifting, employee theft and vandalism are the obvious money savers, but increasing employee productivity and improving overall customer satisfaction are two factors that will really impact the bottom line.
# 6 – Provides peace of mind. Being able to witness, in real-time, the activity going on in and around your business gives managers and business owners alike a sense of comfort. Since we can’t be in all places at the same time, the ability to tune in and monitor what is going on from a mobile device like a smartphone can be priceless. Especially when there is an incident, or an alarm is triggered. Being able to view what’s going on remotely can really provide you with a sense of relief.
Once you see all the benefits that camera surveillance systems provide, it is much easier to see why they make sense for your small business.
