Fundamentals
Still More Game Changers T
by Mike Marquis, CFI Marquis is currently an assistant vice president of loss prevention with the TJX Companies. His more than twenty-four years of LP experience includes senior leadership positions with Limited Brands and Urban Outfitters. Marquis invites your comments at mike_marquis@tjx.com. The opinions and commentary expressed by Marquis do not necessarily represent the TJX Companies or any of its divisions.
In today’s world we have a leadership pool more diverse in all aspects, with improved information, research, and educational opportunities. Isn’t that a game changer?
he last few issues I’ve been working on this “game changer” concept. (“What, again?” you ask. Why, yes, I am going to get another column out of it. The response has been pretty good.) Seriously, I had another piece of feedback that hit the mark. It got to me via LinkedIn…incidentally, a networking game changer in my opinion. Mike, I just read your article in the most recent issue of LP Magazine…electronically no less. Loved the “green bar” reference! I think we’re currently in the midst of the next game change event in the LP industry. I see it similar to the game change in HR 10-15 years ago—talent. It ranges from talent assessment, placement, and development. Carpenters use the same tools, but we know the best ones produce a better product. Something drove them a little harder or someone knew to manage them a certain way and now they produce a little better. I think the next cycle of LP game changers might be organic. Have a great 2011. Greg When I began my career (yes, we had running water and indoor facilities), the majority of “security” or “LP” directors I met were men with a law enforcement background. I’m not offering an opinion about the effectiveness, just stating a fact. Over time, the security label faded. LP has hung around while being joined by “AP.” More and more individuals who grew up in the business as I did took on leadership roles. These folks, not all men by the way, brought different backgrounds, educational disciplines, experiences, and perspectives to the AP or LP world…(call it what you’d like since RSFTIP* seems a bit too long). I mentioned in passing the diversity in gender; but diversity as a whole has improved in our business. That evolution brought more perspective and challenged thinking. An interesting and amusing (to me at least) side note is diversity is a journey, not a destination. If you have a goal of being “more diverse,” then 100 percent of anything fails to meet that goal. Think about it and if you’re not amused, send me a note. I’ll explain. Back to talent. Part of the evolution is education and research. In the early ‘90s the University of Florida began the National Retail Security Survey, which continues today under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Hollinger. That survey has provided
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valuable statistical data for organizations to rely on to fund programs and dedicate resources. I think I’ve read somewhere about a magazine for our profession being around for the last ten years. Check out the May-June issue or try the website www.LPportal.com. Today the Loss Prevention Research Council digs deeper into practical applications and theories; sometimes confirming what has long been suspected and other times delivering a head shaking, “How about that!” Finally, education around professional development has moved forward. The Retail Industry Leaders Association, Food Marketing Institute, and National Retail Federation LP conferences have all raised the bar in the twenty-something years I’ve attended. In 1977, after twenty years of fixing to get ready to, ASIS issued its first CPP designation and today recognizes just under 10,000 CPPs around the world. In the last ten years ASIS also introduced the PCI and PSP. (No information is on their website regarding number of designees thus far.) Founded in 1988, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) claims about 55,000 members. The Center for Interviewer Standards & Assessment (CISA) has recognized about 1,100 CFIs in its first ten years. Even younger on the development board, we have the Loss Prevention Foundation’s LPQ and LPC designations. Both are retail specific and provide for college credits. In reviewing the curriculum for the LPC, it has much more than a security focus. Business matters in the LP industry. So in today’s world we have a leadership pool more diverse in all aspects, with improved information, research, and educational opportunities. Isn’t that a game changer? *Retail Support Function That Increases Profitability. (Isn’t it obvious?) |
LPportal.com
