DIGITAL DIALOGUE By Jacque Brittain, LPC Brittain is editorial director, digital, for LP Magazine. Formerly a director of learning design and certification, Brittain managed the development of the LPC and LPQ certification programs in collaboration with the Loss Prevention Foundation. Prior to that he was vice president of operations for the industry’s largest executive search and consulting firm. In his thirty-plus years in the LP industry, he has helped build and enhance many learning initiatives and provided career counseling for thousands of industry professionals. Brittain can be reached at jacb@lpportal.com or by phone at 704-246-3143.
And Our Survey Says... W
hat do you think about the top issues facing loss prevention professionals or the retail industry in general? If you could change one aspect of what we do in loss prevention, what would it be? Where do you think the industry should be focusing the most attention? If you could ask top leadership a question, what would it be? What is the best way to get results? What should we be talking about, and what do you have to say about it? Opinions are like noses—everybody has one. They may come in many different shapes, forms, and sizes, but whether we realize it or not, they do have an impact on our voices and the way that we are heard. Your voice is important, and sharing your opinions can make a difference. LP Magazine Online has recently introduced instant polls to provide a greater opportunity to actively interact with your peers, industry leadership, and the entire loss prevention community. Each week we have been asking you to answer questions and express your opinions on topics that you want to discuss. This isn’t a complicated or time-consuming process but is simply a multiple-choice format that is intended to provide you with an interactive means to share your views on the topic at hand. If you so choose, you can contact us directly to share a different or more in-depth perspective on the subject. Participation is confidential, encouraging candid and sincere responses. Once we receive your feedback from the polls, we then provide an article that offers a summary of the results, along with any comments or observations gathered as a result of the poll. Here are
Our goal is to touch on subjects that are relevant, educational, and informative. By the same respect, we want this to be a resource that reflects your ideas and participation. The polls are intended to provide a means to enhance interaction and share information while providing options on how and what information will be delivered. Your input is critical to finding meaningful results. 48
a few examples of the poll questions and the results that have been shared thus far. If you are not attending but were given the opportunity to participate in the NRF PROTECT Conference, would you choose to attend? Our survey indicated that an overwhelming 84 percent of respondents would choose to attend a conference if given the opportunity. Of the remaining respondents, 14 percent stated that they simply don’t know enough about the conference to make an informed decision one way or another. Based on these results, we decided to offer our readers a greater opportunity to learn more about the conference experience and get more involved in the conference itself. In addition to our daily recaps and related resources, we recognized that an important aspect of the conference experience is deciding which breakout sessions to attend. We then allowed readers to choose a session to attend in a follow-up poll and provided a summary and feedback on the session to help them share the experience. In general terms, what do you feel is the number one factor that holds back most loss prevention professionals from reaching their career goals? A plan for professional development and personal improvement should include a renewed understanding and focus on skills and strengths. But there are many different factors that come into play as we each put together our plans. In the process we should never underestimate the value and importance of developing our skills, improving our productivity, looking for new and creative ways to perform, and striving for professional excellence. Still, these are never the sole factors in building a career. Talent is never the lone driver in our quest to reach the pinnacle of our professional aspirations. Results showed that our respondents felt that all of these factors can have a direct bearing on our professional aspirations. As life unfolds, plans change. Priorities are revised to fit different needs and personal agendas. As we mature as individuals and as professionals,
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015
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