4 minute read
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
We often talk about how the loss prevention role has evolved over the past decades from a silo-based, reactive security function to a much more wide-ranging, proactive team member in the retail enterprise. But where do we go from here?
We posed that question to a large number of retail and solution provider leaders to solicit their thoughts on how the evolution of the retail environment will affect LP professionals’ role over the next several years. The feature article on page 15 is essentially a compilation of their insights and opinions. We have tried to report the common themes as well as the unique perspectives. If there was a consensus, it came down to technology—more specifically, the impact of data.
The rapidly emerging technologies around Omni-channel retailing, mobile POS, e-commerce, RFID, social media, and countless others are both creating and requiring the access to and understanding of big data to implement a customer-centric retail environment, while protecting both the customer’s privacy and the retailer’s profits. This will require the current and next generation of LP executive to not only embrace technology, but become a skilled user and advocate for big-data applications across the retail enterprise.
That means that LP can no longer relinquish the company’s technology, data protection, and cyber-security efforts to their IT peers. LP must be intimately involved, even if it requires forcing the issue within their corporate structure. It also means that current LP executives must school themselves in areas that may feel foreign and uncomfortable.
This topic is intended to stimulate both individual self-assessment and industry dialogue in order to help ensure that LP professionals do not simply hitchhike on this technology superhighway, but proactively help steer the direction and drive the solutions that will optimize retail performance in the coming years.
No matter how the LP role changes, one thing that will always be important is leadership. It’s a topic we cover often and in a variety of ways. This issue we have interesting insights from two very different perspectives.
The first on page 27 is from retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead, who, among other firsts, was the first woman in the history of the U.S. military to serve as a commanding general in combat. Jim Lee (an Army brat himself) interviewed Becky, as she likes to be called, about her career and the leadership insights she learned along the way. If you wonder what wisdom a military leader can offer an LP professional, read the article to find out.
The second is from Jason Odell, a senior field LP practitioner, who offers his advice on mentoring store- and district-level LP professionals as the make the “big jump” to larger roles (see page 62). His practical suggestions are worthy of consideration by anyone wanting to help others successfully climb the career ladder.
These are just three of the many interesting, thought-provoking articles in this issue. There is something for everyone, whether you are store-level or C-level, retailer or solution provider.
What do you think? We invite your thoughts and opinions. Please contact us at editor@lpportal.com.
Jack Trlica Editor and Publisher
LossPrevention, LP Magazine, and LP Magazine EU are service marks owned by the publishers and their use is restricted. All editorial content is copyrighted. No article may be reproduced by any means without expressed, written permission from the publisher. Reprints or PDF versions of articles are available by contacting the publisher. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the publishers. Advertising in the publication does not imply endorsement by the publishers. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any article or advertisement.
MAGAZINE
700 Matthews Mint Hill Rd, Ste C Matthews, NC 28105 704-365-5226 office, 704-365-1026 fax EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Jack Trlica JackT@LPportal.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR James Lee, LPC JimL@LPportal.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, DIGITAL Jacque Brittain, LPC JacB@LPportal.com CONTRIBUTORS Robert L. DiLonardo Dave DiSilva Read Hayes, Ph.D., CPP Richard C. Hollinger, Ph.D. Walter Palmer, CFI, CPP, CFE Gene Smith, LPC Shane G. Sturman, CFI, CPP David E. Zulawski, CFI, CFE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Kevin McMenimen, LPC KevinM@LPportal.com DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Merek Bigelow MerekB@LPportal.com DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL OPERATIONS John Selevitch JohnS@LPportal.com SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGERS Kat Houston, LPQ Justin Kemp, LPQ Karen Rondeau DESIGN & PRODUCTION SPARK Publications info@SPARKpublications.com 704-844-6080 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Larry Preslar
ADVERTISING ADVERTISING MANAGER Ben Skidmore 972-587-9064 office 972-692-8138 fax BenS@LPportal.com EAST COAST REP Kristie Thymes 972-782-9841 office 972-692-8138 fax KristieT@LPportal.com
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES NEW OR CHANGE OF ADDRESS myLPmag.com POSTMASTER Send change of address forms to Loss Prevention Magazine P.O. Box 92558 Long Beach, CA 90809-2558
LossPrevention aka LP Magazine (USPS 000-710) is published bimonthly by Loss Prevention Magazine, Inc., 700 Matthews Mint Hill Rd, Ste C, Matthews, NC 28105. Print subscriptions are available free to qualified loss prevention and associated professionals in the U.S. and Canada at www.myLPmag.com. The publisher reserves the right to determine qualification standards. International print subscriptions are available for $99 per year payable in U.S. funds at www.LPportal.com. For questions about subscriptions, contact circulation@LPportal.com or call 888-881-5861. Periodicals postage paid at Matthews, NC, and additional mailing offices.
