Given top perfomers are 32% more productive than average performers and 64% more than below average performers, companies might consider making sure they are hiring and training to reach full potential for every employee.

Another fact related to the ‘80% group’: most turnover comes from this group which means the investment the company made in that employee did not result in incremental revenue or profit.

Perhaps part of a company’s strategic direction should be directed toward increasing the % of top performers while decreasig the % of average or below performers, resulting in reduced turnover costs increased productity.

There are efficient, effective and affordable actions available that can protect a company’s bottom line by decreasing turnover and increasing productivity.

Regards to all,

Dave

Sorry this has taken me so long to reply, been traveling. My Father always told me, “If you don’t know a lot about a subject never pretend that you do.”

That said, none of the 40 odd vending companies or divisions I have been in have had electronic locks, and past NAMA shows I have not delved into them, but electronic locks (Machine Access Control) has to be a powerful deterrent. I know the cost is a major consideration but usually (eventually) technology costs become lower and lower with time.

Hopefully there is an Operator reading this blog that can facilitate this particular conversation and e-mail in their real world experience on their cost Vs. ROI to share with the readers?

To answer your last question, “What are the best types of electronic controls? I use covert real time GPS (one system every 25 or so vehicles) with covert machine/changer/truck cameras (VendingCam) with sniper focus on the hard corp incorrigible (13%) along with shotgun communication to the vast majority (who will not steal if the risk outweighs the reward) the 66%. Only 21% will never steal no matter the opportunity. (See my website Vision Statement for the study that backs up these percents).

Dollar for dollar one (moveable) real time covert GPS system and one (moveable) covert machine/changer/truck camera used with sniper focus and shotgun communication will (I have proven this over and over and over) provide the best Loss Prevention technology ROI.

Mark Manney
LPR

Appreciate the comment.

Scott Geiser is the Loss Prevntion Director of Valley Vending Services (VVS) a former client of mine (and an example both as a company and as an individual leader within a forward thinking company) of how a customized Loss Prevention program can positively impact a Vending/Food Service company’s bottomline.

Using Tamper Evident Bags (TEBs) in multi-employee Vending Attedant accounts (as well as in cafeterias) along with a tight Cash Chain of Custody (with a customized Standard Operating Proceedure, S.O.P.) is a paradigm mind shift for an operator, but it has proven in VVS and in another client (Sanese Services) to increase sales, reduce cash shortage, reduce skipped collects, reduce missing collects, increase individual accountability and increase profitability to a level that wouldn’t be believed by most reading this.

In the Training, Technologies, Tools, and Tactics of the LPR program, TEBs (a tool) and a customized Cash Chain of Custody S.O.P. (a tactic) have combined to not only prevent losses but enhance profit to a level these two companies can attest to.

This tool and tactic have been around the big box retail world for years (I helped spread it in the early 90’s) and this one/two punch will find it’s place in our industry as (if you will excuse the pun) the Loss Prevention Results from forward thinking companies like VVS & Sanese Services spread.

Mark Manney
LPR

You are right on target with the bolder and bolder unique MOs. I have found this is true with both individual thieves and multi employee conspiracies. I coined a phrase describing (unexposed) theft accelaration in the 80’s labeling it the Greed Growth Factor. I’ll be updating my website soon with a link devoted to it, and another factor that often interconnects to it I call The Most Dangerous Dishonest Employee.

My hope is this blog does highlight the ever changing - forward thinking technologies, tools, and tactics of Vending/Foodservice Loss Prevention…as there are documented and proven profit enhancement programs involving all three that have a residule ROI that has to be researched with the companies it has taken place in…to be believed, (1% to 3% residule COGs reduction is just unbelievable until you talk to the owners/operators who are experiencing it).

As far as cameras there are two categories I get involved in and have extensive Vending/Cafeteria experience in the last six years:

1. VENDING - A covert machine/changer/truck camera called VendingCam…AKA…VC (as I like to call it…I’m a Nam Vet and this is an inside joke with myself). In the last three years VC has ambushed dozens of dishonest technicans, route drivers, CSMs, route jumpers, two security guards, many of my client’s client’s employees, as well as numerous outside deadbeat parasites with crow bars, keys, and one recently with a hook type tool. Combined with proven tactics it is more then a set of eyes…it is a powerful Loss Prevention detection and deterrent technology.

2. CAFETERIAS - Digital cameras (remote view) or Closed Circut Television (CCTV). Combined with TAMPER EVIDENT BAGS (three different types/sizes - Vending Attendant Collection, individual Cashier, deposits) has the cabability of reducing the opportunity for undetected theft (of product and cash) tremendously. It is not uncommon for cafeterias to experience a 4% to 5% COGs reduction (paying for the system in the first month) the profit enhancement is immediate and brings my favoriate LP word, residule.

Thanks for your comment. The face of Vending/Food Service Loss Prevention is changing.

Mark Manney
Loss Prevention Results (LPR)