So I’m fortunate enough to get to do some traveling with my work and get to see many an interesting place, work with incredibly passionate and hard working individuals for several large organizations and institutions.
I’m also asked about the small organizations or even just some residential services. So I put some thought into it and I’ve put together some services for the small business/entrepreneur type organizations but nothing really for the residential side of things. Until I went for a drive locally. This rant will be as long as the drive was. I still don’t don’t have any services for the residential side of things but I definitely have some advice.
So many homeowners install security/intrusion alarms. We get them for only a handful of reasons;
- Recent break-in to our home
- Recent birth of a child
- Recent break-in to our neighbor’s home
- Recent purchase(s) of valuable items (eg; jewellery, electronics, antiques)
- Recent death in a relative that resided with us
There are other personal reasons but you get the idea. Many reasons revolve around one of the above themes.
So you’ve listened to the sale person’s pitch, you liked it, you buy it, you have it installed it works. Warning labels go on the windows, maybe a lawn sign out front, the hole nine yards. So you go about your business keeping your property clean and in order, ensuring the labels are visible to act as the deterrent to any unwanted activity.
Question. Has your alarm installation company or your alarm monitoring company done the same? I couldn’t believe my eyes when I drove pass a local alarm installation/monitoring company’s office only to see that they had no warning labels in the window and that there business sign out front had been tagged with graffiti. Are you kidding me? The alarm company wasn’t even paying attention to what was happening on their own property. How are they able to in good conscience give you advice on how you are to maintain yours to deter unwanted activity?
Here’s the advice. Before you buy, visit their office. See what security devices, tools or aids they are using on their property. Ask if it all works. Request a demonstration of the equipment if possible. Is it the shoe cobbler story? Everyone’s shoes are better than theirs. These aren’t shoes we’re talking about, these are security and life safety devices we’re talking about. If it’s important to you it should be extremely important to the company selling it to you.
I can also appreciate that there is a small portion of the market that is often referred to as the “one-truck, one-installer’ organization. Nothing wrong with them, know several. Their truck is their rolling office. Does it look maintained? Quickly peering into it, do you see client information just thrown about inside the cab of the truck?
If they’re not willing to maintain their security, how well or attentive are they going to be to yours.
Wow, haven’t ranted like that in a while. Thanks for listening.
Plan the Work. Work the Plan.