Combining human and technology-based security can go a long way in positioning a brick-and-mortar, small business to counter loss prevention. Tools such as security cameras, the watchful eyes of staff and stringent checkout procedures are excellent deterrents to shoplifters, scammers and other thieves

While this toolbox mainly applies to the sales floor, human and technological know-how can also prevent theft in the back office, especially on the accounting end.

Installing surveillance equipment that monitors potential shoplifting and other crimes, such as tricks at the register that confuse cashiers into unwittingly handing over hundreds of dollars, are additional, powerful means to curb crime.

Closed-circuit security cameras can be your small business’ all-knowing eyes. Machines compile a plethora of useful information. Blending machine knowledge with your staff’s watchfulness, in the aisles and at the checkout counter, can only strengthen the system.

For instance, an employee who approaches shoplifters red-handed may be challenged by culprits stating that the situation was a misunderstanding, or that the employee was too far away to be a credible witness. However, any doubt is erased when the footage roles, leaving no room for technicalities. In turn, your pickpocket’s confident demeanor will quicky turn to fear and apprehension.

There are more strategies that can prevent theft as well, with or without technology. For example, training staff in the art of keen oversight, either from your own experience or by bringing in an expert, also plays a great role in preventing thieves from inconspicuously walking out the door with your products and actual, physical cash.

Small business staff can learn methods to successfully scope out customers stalking the shelves and discreetly, or so they think, filling shopping bags, wallets, purses, even a baby carriage – pretty much anything you can imagine – with merchandise.

Having a checkout manager on the floor, even if you have one register aisle, can also produce positive outcomes. A common register scam involves thieves receiving change and then rapidly asking the checkout person to change denominations.

The employee immediately becomes confused, causing hundreds of dollars to leave the till. Hawklike employees watching the transaction can swoop in and immediately slam the register shut, preventing escalating cash-flow damage.

Anti-theft measures can also come into play off the sales floor. In the back office, small business owners may have their most loyal and trusted employee handling the books. However, there is always the possibility, even if you refuse to believe it, that your committed employee is not as faithful as you think.

This may be due to the employee knowing the ease of siphoning off chunks of revenue from the books undetected, year-after-year. You can allay this fear by double-checking your cashflow. If accounting seems off, you may want to invest in an auditor.

Using good old-fashioned elbow grease, and technology, will result in a robust anti-theft system. Thwarted thieves will tell fellow fiends to avoid your store. For small business owners, that’s good word of mouth, even if coming from cooks.