INDUSTRY NEWS
Walmart Asset Protection 2017: Problem Solvers and Business Partners By Karen Rondeau, LPM Media Group
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PM Media Group was on site in August at Walmart’s Asset Protection National Meeting in Rogers, Arkansas, where the theme of the event was problem solving—simplification, embracing change, embracing the uncomfortable, and engineering out the complexities. Joe Schrauder, vice president of asset protection and safety, emphasized that “preventing loss becomes even more important if we can stay relevant. If we change and if we figure out new ways to leverage technology and to serve customers the way they want to be served, while making the company profitable, we think there’s a bright future for AP to be more relevant than they are today.”
event at Fast Lanes, where the great-big-extended-family feeling of Walmart’s asset protection organization was truly evident.
The Loss Prevention Foundation Announces New President
The Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) announced that Terry Sullivan, LPC, has been named as its next president, effective July 24, 2017. The appointment follows the recently announced retirement of LPF President Gene Smith, LPC. Sullivan, with a long history of success in the loss prevention industry, brings almost thirty years of experience to Terry Sullivan the foundation. “I am extremely excited about having a talent like Terry join the foundation. His experience and enthusiasm for the foundation’s mission will be tremendous assets for us,” said Frank Johns, LPC, LPF’s chairman of the board. Johns continued, “Sullivan joins the foundation after serving most recently as the director of loss prevention operations for Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Terry has held numerous other positions at Lowe’s to include divisional director of loss prevention, safety and hazmat, and regional director of loss prevention. Prior to Lowe’s, Terry served the drug store industry for almost fifteen years with Albertson’s/Sav-on Drugs and American Stores.” Sullivan said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to serve the Loss Prevention Foundation and the loss prevention/ asset protection profession. I am looking forward to leading the continued progress of the foundation and working with the foundation’s board to deliver world-class educational resources.” Sullivan will be responsible for overseeing the administration, revenue generation, marketing, strategic planning, industry outreach, and all programs of the organization, including the internationally sanctioned LPQ and LPC certifications.
At the event, nearly 500 field leadership attendees received a brand-new yellow vest. No, they are not all becoming door greeters. Instead, AP leadership wants to be more accessible when they are out in the stores—for associates and customers alike. “Our program is about deterrence through offering really good customer service,” said Schrauder. “If we want that to happen, the customers need to be able to see us. We [asset protection] want to be seen as problem solvers and business partners, so rather than hiding in the shadows or working behind the scenes, we want to be visible and out on the front lines. We are taking a page from the ‘More at the Door’ program to encourage the interaction.” Leadership at the meeting reinforced that the “Drive to 75” is still Walmart AP’s objective—to reach their .75 shrink goal long term. The teams are making a great impact by continuing to use the Direct-Deter-Detect strategy, leveraging technology, and simplifying processes. Other highlights of the meeting included an annual AP awards banquet on Monday evening and a team-building
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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017
RLPSA Goes Big in Las Vegas
Restaurants of all types descended on Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Restaurant Loss Prevention & Security Association’s (RLPSA) 38th Annual Conference at the M Resort & Casino July 30 to August 2, 2017. RLPSA hosted more restaurant companies than ever before and increased attendance from last year’s conference in San Antonio. continued on page 68 |
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