There’s so much that goes into a business that you just don’t think about until it happens. There’s more to it than simply selling good products or services. Entrepreneurs must consider marketing and promotion, competitors, and adapting with the times. In addition, knowing how to protect your business and everyone involved is crucial. When you keep your business safe and secure, not only do you protect others but you protect yourself. Here are four areas to think about when it comes to protecting your business.
Protect Your Premises
Thieves target businesses because of the valuable items on the premises. Regardless of what sell, it’s important to take precautions to keep the bad guys out. Companies like Mobile Video Guard can help to give you peace of mind. Window and door shutters that can be pulled down which prevents people from gaining access. When storing away high value items and cash, consider using a high quality safe. This should be hidden away in a discrete location and bolted down to the floor. The last thing you want is for a burglar to walk off with your safe so they can break into it when they’re away from the building.
Burglar alarms are also crucial for businesses. A thief generally won’t stick around if one goes off. Invest in a higher end model which alerts the police once sounded. This way you further reduce their chances of getting away with your goods. Burglars are inventive and may surprise you. They’ve been known to drop through roofs and even drive cars into the sides of walls. Take all of the necessary precautions.
Protect Your Data
Stolen stock, equipment, cash and other physical goods can be massively detrimental to your business. However, there are worse things that criminals can steal. Data for example can be taken by hackers, or even in a physical burglary. It doesn’t even have to be particularly sensitive data such as bank or credit card information. Even names, date of births and addresses can be used to create false identities. These are often then used to apply for large sums of credit or steal funds from bank accounts. They can even be used to access medical treatment from the victim’s insurance.
If your customers data is stolen, you must make them aware of it by law. If customers lose trust in you, they’re simply going to stop shopping with you and could boycott your business completely.
Protect Your Employees
As the boss, you have a duty of care to your employees. You need to ensure they’re safe and provide a working environment that meets regulations. This means making sure protective gear is used when needed and that all health and safety procedures are followed. Even things like bad lighting can cause accidents. When areas are dark employees could trip over hazards. You’ll need to display things like wet floor signs correctly, and ensure that your employees health is being beared in mind by choosing ergonomically designed desks and chairs. This will prevent things like neck, back and wrist strain from those working at computers.
One of the best ways that you can protect your staff is to provide them with the correct training. When everyone is up to speed on their duties and the best way to perform them, less accidents are likely to occur. In some businesses, training will need to be ongoing to ensure tasks and procedures meet high standards. If your employees drive vehicles or operate machinery, regular drug and alcohol testing will deter them from practicing these behaviours and can help to keep them (and others) in your workplace safe. Always ensure you have employee liability insurance, just in case the worst were to happen. If someone gets injured, you’re protected and won’t be left out of pocket if a claim is made against you.
Protect Your Customers
Finally, you’ll need to ensure that the products or services that your company sells are safe for people to use. If you sell food for example, you’ll need to make sure that health and hygiene practices are followed correctly. This includes ensuring your products are properly labelled. Whether you’re a caterer, a baker, or make your own jams, this is something to bear in mind. In addition, when you sell food items, you need to be registered with your local council who perform random cleanliness checks of your property. This helps to keep your customers safe.
If you make your own items such as clothing or homewares, you’ll need to make sure that the materials are suitable. For example they must be non-toxic and non flammable, especially for children’s clothing.
You even have a duty of care to those walking past your premises. On a snowy or icy day for example, you can be sued if someone slips outside of your business. Display wet floor signs and grit slippery floors outside to protect your employees, customers and the general public.
Be sure to hop into the Savvy Entrepreneur Private Facebook Community to collaborate, learn and grow with your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.
Similar Posts by Savvy Entrepreneur:
10 Income Reports by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs
https://savvyentrepreneur.co/10-income-reports-by-entrepreneurs-for-entrepreneurs/
Get More Customers Using Your Website, Email Marketing, and Social Media
https://savvyentrepreneur.co/get-more-customers-using-website-email-marketing-social-media/
Mastermind Groups for Entrepreneurs Foster Accountability
https://savvyentrepreneur.co/mastermind-groups-for-entrepreneurs-foster-accountability/
This is a Collaborative Post
