1. What is the biggest challenge your department faces right now?
Curve Jumping: From a change management perspective, it’s not about getting people to follow the curve of change but to get them to jump to the next curve or higher level of understanding and performance. The vision of good for a member of the department today is not where it needs to be five years from now. Getting the team to understand this and embrace the journey is the biggest challenge.
2. What new technology has the potential to change the way retailers view loss prevention?
“The business mind” – I enjoy technology and find it extremely useful as part of a comprehensive program. However, I am a bigger fan of the human mind. By being smarter business leaders, we will be able to make connections that differentiate the core value the company has to offer the customer. In some cases, this will be a new technology.
3. Who do you feel is the most influential person in the loss prevention field and why?
The General Manager: I believe that everyone in an organization is part of the loss prevention team. The people who lead those that are closest to the customer have the strongest influence/impact. If they understand their role and the importance of what they do, then you have an unstoppable program.
4. What was your first job in retail?
Store detective at JC Penney. It was a great introduction into the world of retail and loss prevention. The ability to watch customer and employee patterns has helped me at every stage of my development.
5. What books are you reading now?
How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins and Leading Change by John Kotter
6. What is your favorite quote?
“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.” Eric Hoffer, American social writer and philosopher
7. What is your favorite non-job-related pastime?
I collect and repair pinball machines. At one point, I had nine of them.
8. What is the one thing your co-workers do not know about you?
I’m a huge Frank Sinatra fan. Growing up, it was the music that was always on in the background. Now, it takes on a strong sentimental connection.
9. If you could invite any four people (dead or alive) to dinner, who would you invite and why?
My mother, father, wife and daughter. Probably not the answer people are looking for, but I realize that time is precious and a good meal is not something to waste, so I’ll take the most enjoyable experience. Besides, dinner with John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Carl Jung and Abraham Lincoln would get me in trouble.