PaRTING WORDS

To Be Young Again

Ispeak from experience when I tell you that as you get older, there are things you can’t do at all or can’t do as well as you did when you were younger. I was told over and over by my elders that this would happen, but I refused to believe it could happen to me.

Physically you just begin to wear down. The body changes in many ways—ankles, shoulders, knees, feet, hips, eyes, weight. Heck, in my case I think I am shorter than when I was 21.

Then there are the internal breakdowns. High blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, and the list goes on and on. Haven’t you heard it before, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” The medical experts will tell you that staying fit physically will keep many of those aging ailments away or at least delay them.

To be young again in today’s loss prevention environment is certainly different…maybe better, maybe not. I’m not sure I would want to be young again starting a career in loss prevention.

Some people are certainly trying. It is impressive to go to a meeting or conference and see so many in the fitness center or outside running or walking. I know some LP executives who actually look better today than they did ten years ago.

Looking Back

Have you ever said to yourself, “If I was only younger again I could....” or “When I was younger I could....” Oh yes, to find that fountain of youth and be young again!

What if you were 21 years old again and starting out in the loss prevention business? Is anything different today for young people than twenty-five years ago? Is it better? Is it easier to move along in your career?

The party line answer to that question is that many things are different, and it is so much better today. For the young person today there are training programs, internships, certifications, many information sources, technology, better acceptance of the function, more money, and opportunities galore…the sky’s the limit.

Well, let’s see. Let’s look back oh so many years ago to the position of store detective or agent or LP associate just starting out in the business with little or no experience. You likely would be in a big box working with several other detectives and a manager. There would be training manuals and training classes. You likely would be observing and following around other experienced LP associates for a period of time until you figured out the functions of the job. Often the most critical component of the job was apprehending a shoplifter. You had a trial period to go through before you were cut loose on your own with shoplifters.

The significant piece of your training was that there were other partners in LP in your store that you could turn to or talk with or learn from on a daily basis. Working with experienced people or having a “coach” on site was the norm, and you matured fast and became engaged early on in investigations. The more you did, the more you got noticed. Getting noticed created the chance for advancement and stability.

Jim Lee Executive Editor

What about Today?

There are differences today. Some may get the opportunity to start their careers in a big box and experience an even better and faster learning curve. Many others starting out today do not have that opportunity. After initial training, you likely will be given an assignment working alone. You will be asked to perform the non-investigative responsibilities and can learn and do them well fairly quickly. But, how are you on the investigation piece? How are you on observing and apprehending a shoplifter? How much mentoring and coaching and hands-on training have you had from others in learning a very critical, dangerous, and potentially libelous action?

How long will it be before you are allowed to become involved in employee theft investigations? When does the training start? Who will be there to show you, teach you, and allow you to observe the interviews?

How do you get noticed today? That question is often asked by young people today. How do you get noticed and create an opportunity for advancement?

To be young again in today’s loss prevention environment is certainly different…maybe better, maybe not. What do you think? If you are at a level above store detective, do you go out of your way to help understand what today’s entry-level person is thinking, desiring, hoping, and needing help on to achieve success? Do you tell or show the young how to perform?

At any given time there are several thousand job openings for entry-level loss prevention associates. Do many jump from one job to another or leave the field altogether because they are alone in a store and don’t feel the love? I’m not sure I would want to be young again starting a career in loss prevention.

On second thought, yes I would.