Security Training Options

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article | Security Training Options

Security training is a must for anyone that wants to make it in the industry. Irrespective of whether you are interested in becoming a CCTV operator or a door supervisor, you need to attain your license. This all begins with finding the best security training provider. Read on to discover how to do so.

The first thing you need to look out for is experience. Make sure the company has been in operation for a considerable number of years, as you don’t want a group of people that are effectively going to be learning on the job.

They should also have a wide assortment of different courses for you to choose from, for example, door supervisor training, bodyguard courses, first aid training and much, much more. Don’t only look at the course title, but check out the syllabus. You want to make sure the courses are modern and in line with the security of today.

They should not simply provide you with training and leave you to it either – they should help you to apply for your licence once you have completed your course. The best companies will have all of the details about applying for the licence on their website, making it much easy for you. At this point, it would be beneficial to note that you will need to renew your licence every three years. For example, the use of drones has become prominent in the security sector over the past few years. You can head to DrDrone for more information. The latest training courses will cover this.

In addition to this, you should take the time to read reviews that have been left by previous customers. This is the best way to get a truthful picture in regards to the level of quality you are likely to experience. If you come across a lot of negative comments, you know to look elsewhere.

What You Need To Find Out Before Taking A Course

Different security training courses have long been popular with those that want to make it in the security industry. If you have booked a training course, read on to discover the information you need to know beforehand.

The first thing you need to do is assess the dates and times for the security training course in question. In most cases, this will be a short, intensive training course, with the aim of ensuring you pass as quickly as possible. You may need to take time off work to accommodate this, so it’s worth finding out how long the course lasts per day.

Aside from this, you need to find out what you are going to need to bring with you. The best training course providers will supply all training materials so that you don’t need to spend extra money on this. However, it is likely that you are going to need to bring proof of identity with you and possible proof of address as well.

You also need to make sure your English language skills are up to scratch if you are going to take this test. You will be expected to have good knowledge of the English language if you’re to work in the private security industry. You don’t want to spend your money on a training course if your language skills are going to let you down. Don’t let this dishearten you though; arrange some English lessons until your tutor tells you that you’re ready.

What Course Is Right For You?

Firstly, one option to consider is CCTV training, which is designed for people who want to have a career as a CCTV operator. Once you have this licence, you will have the ability to monitor and work with CCTV camera systems that oversee any public spaces. For example, you could work for the local council or a busy shopping centre. The options are extensive.

Another popular option is a security guarding course. Once you have completed this, you will have the ability to work on unlicensed premises. This includes businesses like universities, banks, and construction sites. Please note that you cannot work on licensed premises with this course. If you wish to do so, a door supervisor course is advised. If you take the security guarding course you will learn about what you should and should not be doing on the job, as well as information on good communication, managing conflict, what it is to work as a guard and other things you need to be aware of, such as basic first aid.

Another option you may want to consider when working in the security sector is door supervision. You will need to obtain your door supervision licence, which will involve taking a training course. There are some other requirements too, such as being over the age of 18-years-old. As a door supervisor, you will have a number of different roles. This includes determining whether an individual is allowed to enter a licensed premise, such as a pub or a nightclub. You will not only be concerned with determining who is able to enter the building, but you are responsible for keeping everyone inside safe as well. Having tact and diplomacy is critical, as challenging situations can often arise and you will need to be able to defuse them. There are a number of other qualities you need to have as well, including having good people skills and being calm when troubling situations arise.

There is then the upskilling training for those who have been impacted by the new assessment rules that recently came into place regarding training to become a door supervisor. A lot of people need to take regular courses depending on their role in the security sector.

So there you have it: an insight into the world of security and the different options that are available. We hope that this will help you to carve out a career for yourself in this exciting sector, as demand is high and there are certainly diverse opportunities available.

Why You Should Maintain Workers’ Compensation Insurance

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StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Workers' Compensation Insurance|Why You Should Maintain Workers’ Compensation InsuranceAs an entrepreneur, you are starting your business and have to make tough choices about where to put your money. Rent physical space or go virtual? Do your own books or hire an accountant? Pay for answering service or hire a receptionist?

The answers to these questions will vary depending upon the type of business you are starting, what your skillset is, and how well your project is funded. One thing you should not skimp on if you have employees is purchasing workers’ compensation insurance.

Why? Because if you don’t have workers’ compensation insurance and one of your employees is injured in a workplace accident, or develops a disease or condition as a result of the workplace conditions or duties, you will likely be on the hook for their medical expenses and lost wages. In many states, that is not all… you can be fined by a workers’ compensation judge, or prosecuted for a crime by your state’s Department of Justice.

Read this article for the consequences you can avoid if you just purchase workers’ compensation for the employees of your business.

How Workers Compensation Works

The reason every state has a workers’ compensation statute mandating the purchase of workers’ compensation insurance for most employers is to remove the issue of liability from workplace injuries, provide lost wages and medical expenses for the injured worker, and lift responsibility from the employer.

The public policy concerns resolved by the workers’ compensation statute are preserving the employer-employee relationship, helping workers recover from their injuries and get back to work, and avoiding lengthy, expensive, litigation between employers and their employees over who is at fault for causing the injury.

If a worker is injured, typically, the worker will inform the employer and seek medical attention. Most statutes provide a timeline for this and give the employer and the insurer the right to specify the medical professionals an injured worker must first consult.

Employers are usually required to post notices of workers’ compensation coverage and the procedure for filing a worker’s comp claim in a conspicuous place at work, such as a break room. The worker will complete and submit the required forms, and generally, in as little as a few weeks the worker will receive compensation for the injury in the form of medical expenses and lost wages. If the worker is unable to work for a time, the worker may also receive partial or total temporary or permanent disability compensation.

If an employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance but should, the injured worker can seek recourse in workers’ compensation court and in some states, can sue the employer directly. But that employer’s employees are not the only stakeholders in the employers’ decision not to carry worker’s compensation insurance – the state is.

Because your state has a stake in whether your business has workers’ comp insurance, your state legislators will have specified in the statute what penalties will apply if an employer fails to comply with the mandates of the statute. In many states, failure to comply is a criminal offense and individual owners of a business without workers’ compensation insurance can be fined and jailed.

A Judge May Impose Civil Fines and Penalties for Failing to Comply With Your State’s Workers’ Compensation Statute

Every state’s workers’ compensation statute is a bit different, but most states require employers with at least one employee to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. If a worker is injured and goes to workers’ compensation court, the judge has the authority to not only assess the worker’s medical expenses and lost wages against an uninsured employer but fine that employer in addition, in an amount that will match the egregiousness of the conduct.

In some states, there is an uninsured employer fund that the worker can access to receive compensation more timely, and you as the uninsured employer must repay that amount as well as any fines or penalties provided for your state’s statute.

Employers Without Workers’ Compensation Insurance Can Be Criminally Prosecuted

Failing to purchase and maintain workers’ compensation for employees is a crime in most states. The degree of the crime, the fines and penalties, and the jail sentences imposed upon business owners will vary state-to-state.

For example, in Pennsylvania, failing to maintain workers’ compensation insurance is a third-degree misdemeanor, the punishment being a $2,500.00 fine and up to 1 year in jail. If an employer’s failure to maintain insurance is intentional or willful, that failure is a third-degree felony and the punishment is a $15,000.00 fine and a jail sentence of up to seven years.

Know that in most states, every day the business fails to carry workers’ compensation insurance can be charged as a separate crime. A lengthy amount of time in operation without workers’ comp insurance will certainly enhance the fines, penalties, and jail sentences.
Workers’ compensation insurance protects not only your employees, but you, the business, and other owners of the business if any. Find somewhere else to save money if you need to.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor |Veronica BaxterVeronica Baxter is a legal assistant and blogger living and working in the great city of Philadelphia. She frequently works with Larry Pitt, Esq., a busy workers’ compensation lawyer in Philadelphia.

Don’t Get Left Behind With Poor Marketing, It’s Time To Step Up

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Poor Marketing|Don't Get Left Behind With Poor Marketing, It's Time To Step UpTechnology is evolving rapidly and nothing is stagnant anymore. Our daily life changes, everything around us changes. So how could Marketing be stagnant? It has evolved and with the tools now available we have the greatest efficiency ever. Let’s take the things from the beginning.

What actually is Marketing?

The truth is that the word Marketing is quite misunderstood in different countries and means different things to different people. When you hear the word Marketing, you may think that it is something that only large companies and corporations use.The reality is completely different. You use Marketing every day in your business and you do not know it. Marketing is the coordinated and organized effort of a business to meet the needs of consumers by promoting its goods or services. In this way we manage to attract new customers, build relationships and gain loyal consumers. No matter how good your product or service is, without a clear Marketing Plan you will not be able to attract customers and grow your business. So Marketing is vital in a business no matter how big or small it is. It is also a basic expense of a business and not something optional that you can skip. Which is what makes lending so important and small business loans can really contribute massively. You should look at funding options available and see how they can help build your strategy.

Audience Targeting

Targeting the audience is more than accurate. We can show an advertisement for example to Women, 26 – 45 years old, who live in the area of Utah, have 1 child and are interested in sports items and have it specifically targeted to them depending on the type of advertising platform we choose. This is when SEO becomes a huge thing for businesses.

Measurable Results

We have at our disposal really valuable information and statistics. For example, we can see what users did when they saw your ad, how long they watched your video and how long they browsed your site. Which ad was most effective, which one had the most clicks and which demographic audience was most interested. And all this is just the beginning.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of Digital Marketing is spectacular. The most important thing is not that it turns out. How can you prove, for example, how effective the billboards you put up in the city columns were? In contrast, the digital poster you promoted on Facebook will tell you how many people saw it, what they did when they saw it, how many were interesting and to which demographic and age audience they belonged. Facebook ads can be great but you should certainly look to hire an expert to ensure you’re hitting the right people.

Speed

So imagine that you want to promote an event quickly, very quickly. You want things done on the fastrack. While it will take days to create and send a brochure, a Social Media campaign can not only “run” in 24 hours but also bring results. You should never be slow with your marketing because you can be sure that other companies are nailing it and it’s time that you do too.

3 Things Healthcare Organizations Do Differently When It Comes to Advertising

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Healthcare Organizations|3 Things Healthcare Organizations Do Differently When It Comes to AdvertisingLike other industries, basic marketing principles, such as strategic planning and branding, apply to healthcare marketing. Nevertheless, healthcare marketing needs a different approach as compared to other industries.

Most people in the healthcare business have little or no business knowledge. They also like to see their establishment as a profession rather than a business. They are more inclined towards maintaining their reputation, almost forgetting that they need to attract clients, just like any other business.

Healthcare marketing has to be different from traditional marketing. Here are some of the ways in which healthcare marketing is different from marketing in other industries.

1. Sensitivity

While advertising for healthcare, marketers have to be sensitive to connect with clients. In most cases, people looking for health-related services are anxious. They could be concerned about their health or the health of their loved ones. Connecting with someone in such a situation is quite different from connecting with someone excited about buying a new car.

To connect with someone looking for health services, health marketers need to have a warm touch. The patients need to feel that someone cares about their well-being. If the patient feels like you are taking advantage of their poor health to make money, they will no longer trust you. The marketer needs to show respect for the patient’s emotions while also expressing friendly authority. There are many ways to make a healthcare organization visible without coming out as insensitive.

2. The Concept of Exchange

In traditional financial marketing, the end goal is to benefit the company as well as its stakeholders financially. However, that is not the case in healthcare marketing. The end goal of healthcare organizations is to benefit patients. Therefore, marketing aims to sensitize the public on the importance of good health and excellent health care.

In conventional marketing, consumers get a product or service in exchange for their money. However, in health care, consumers get a service, such as laboratory tests, in exchange for their time and effort. Although money is involved, it is not the primary commodity during the exchange.

3. Limitation to Special Offers

It is common for new businesses to give introductory offers to their new clients. Although such offers exist in the healthcare industry, they are not as prevalent as in other businesses. That is because there are legal restrictions in health care, such as insurance guidelines. The guidelines limit the healthcare organizations’ ability to offer special pricing discounts to their clients.
However, some services are legally allowed. For example, it is legal to host a free educational seminar. Introductory offers are more common in services that are not covered by insurance, such as cosmetic surgeries. For instance, some cosmetic surgeons may offer free consultation sessions to their clients.

Besides legal restrictions, many healthcare organizations are against making introductory offers. Some practitioners believe that it is unprofessional, and suggests they are offering low-quality services.

The Need to Compel Clients

Most patients will assume that all healthcare organizations are equal, as long as they are licensed. Therefore, it is up to an organization to stand out from the rest and compel clients to trust them with their health. Therefore, marketing in healthcare is inevitable. Healthcare organizations have to ensure that they remain within the legal constraints and abide by all marketing ethics.

The Top Strategies to Fast Track Your Business Growth

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StrategyDriven Managing Your Business Article |Fast Track Business Growth|The Top Strategies to Fast Track Your Business GrowthAs a business leader or entrepreneur, it is likely that you are impatient to see progress in scaling up your business from a small company to a large corporation. To make sure that you are able to become one of the bigger market giants across the world, this guide will detail some of the best strategies that you can use to fast track your business growth and expansion.

1.Expanding into International Markets

International markets are the best way to make business boom and multiply your revenue quickly. By venturing into international markets, you will easily be able to connect with a much wider audience, meaning you will be giving many more people the opportunity to invest in your company.

However, it can be difficult to decide which overseas market you should consider expanding into, with factors such as cost, tax incentives, and their talent pools all coming under scrutiny. For those looking to expand in 2020, you should invest in Turkey due to its status as a manufacturing center that can provide you with low costs and beneficial government-backed incentives.

2. Combining Online and Physical Stores

Although most business leaders are flocking online to follow the latest trends, savvy executives know that a combination of digital and brick-and-mortar stores is the best way to grow their companies fast. This is because a combination of both methods widens the net, allowing your company to be accessible to a wider range of shoppers who all have different preferences to the way that they purchase products. This is also important if you are focusing on expanding in a local community or in a country whose digital infrastructure is not as extensive as within the USA.

3. Become an Exciting Investment Opportunity

Although you might believe that fast business growth relies on your company’s investments only, you also need to make sure that your business is an attractive business proposition. By appealing to angel investors, you will be able to get the funding that you need to grow quickly, by offering a more extensive range of products and services, employing more talent and expanding your premises across the country and beyond. This will prevent you from having to garner funding slowly through cutting costs and a gently increasing customer revenue.

4. Create a Partnership or Franchise Your Business

One of the quickest and most effective strategies for business growth that every owner should be aware of is to create a partnership with another person or company. By doing this, you will easily be able to pool your skills and share your individual successes. You might also consider merging with another company in order to easily absorb another’s success. You should also consider the advantages of franchising your business, which means that another company or individual can sell your products under their name. This allows you to connect with a wider proportion of your target customer base, while also enabling you to claim royalties on every sale.