That area is security and loss prevention. In spite of the importance of loss prevention planning, most managers give little thought to the subject and rarely consult with outside experts. Too often, loss prevention measures, if they exist at all, are implemented as a hurried reaction to a bad experience. These are frequently emotional rather than logical decisions. Little or no research is done.
Little effort is made to distinguish between real and perceived problems.
No consideration is given to alternatives. The end result is a collection of independently operating procedures that, in some cases, may actually make matters worse. The benefits of a thoughtfully designed and coordinated system are lost. The patchwork approach to problem solving works no better in loss prevention than it does in the rest of the business world. In order to implement an effective security program, managers must first be aware of the true threats to their business.