Dirk Wilson of Sector Security Services (Manchester) Ltd writes after the above quote in the weekly Professional Security Magazine email newsletter.
Things are not revolutionised by making revolutions. The real revolution lies in the solution of existing problems. The City of Tomorrow, by Le Corbusier
<http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/the-critics/your-guide-to-the-le-corbusier-season/1994286.article>
I read with a mounting degree of enthusiasm the comments by senior members of the security industry that as a whole we needed to adopt a ‘change’ in how we pay our staff and the rewards for working in an industry which is vital but continues to work under a cloud of misconception.
The ‘change’, many readers will appreciate is the move towards having our security staff paid a good wage, not just the minimum employers can get away with but a real value and a true worthwhile reward for their efforts which can save lives, save businesses and reduce costs in minimising at the least vandalism and worst case a cessation of being able to work.
This ‘change’ topic was even given a leading position in a recent Skills annual get-together with the two main viewpoints being aired.
It is now some time since and I find that the ‘change’ may have only lasted for a very small number of organisations, even those who publicly supported the move appear to be continuing to drive down value by reducing margins, undercutting other suppliers; often reducing the benefits of employees in order to maintain their Organisations ever present spectre of ‘Market Share’.
Anecdotal evidence is talked about as some organisations appear to be offering ‘buy one week of guarding, get one week free’ or a free three-month trial period for nil cost to secure lengthy contracts.
I appreciate the idea of cost fixing is anathema to all organisations and that the belief that the free market will eventually level out and quality will eventually be a deciding factor and not cost alone.
Will this happen, we talk to prospective clients who say that the cost of insurance is cheaper than a security service. A loss within a retail site of X during a single day can be easily offset against a cost of security at Y. Some vandalism and minor damage at any industrial site may be offset by good insurance and effective and speedy repair costing Z against security staff at W.
Cost appears to be king, service provision is only appreciated after you have received it but the recent model of cheapest security giving barely enough cover and presence(although burdening the facilities manager with a constant headache of service issues) against more expensive security which provides real security and no ‘service issues’ continues to be the prevailing fashion.
There is enough work in the market place for all, I will continue to strive towards giving our employees a good package whilst providing good service to our clients, however there is a cost. Competing against organisations large and small on a price basis alone is becoming the norm.
Despite reality and the economic trend biting very hard I am keen to continue working towards the ‘change’ and would ask that all like minded bodies continue to buck the trend of suicidal charge rates or is ‘the change’ the shortest revolution ever?
