How to protect your sales team

Courtesy of Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co.

Having your sales team out on the road with your latest lines of goods can be dangerous business—Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. has received several claims this year related to crimes against traveling jewelry salespeople. As your sales team hits the road, consider two pieces of advice that could help keep your employees safe: get involved in crime prevention networks and plan ahead to keep your sales people safe on the road.

Crime Prevention Networks

Crime prevention networks are one of the best ways for jewelers to collectively stop crime before it happens. The concept is simple: connect with a group of jewelers in your geographic area and share information with each other in an effort to make others aware of crimes and suspicious incidents against fellow jewelers.

Openly sharing your loss experiences (as well as any suspicious incidents that may have occurred in your place of business) with other network members and the police can help to reduce or even prevent jewelry crime in your area. And if you have staff traveling to other areas, consider joining networks away from your headquarters, too, so you are armed with the most current crime information in all geographic areas that are relevant to your business.

When a functioning crime prevention network is in place, members of the network share details of an incident within minutes of the occurrence. By sharing this information, members are aware of the particular threat, on the lookout for the perpetrators, and able to elevate their level of security, if warranted.

If there isn’t a network already in place, consider creating your own. To build membership, work with wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, and designers to identify potential high-risk areas and start a dialogue about how you can work together to protect your businesses as well as your salespeople on the road.

Plan Ahead for a Safe Journey

Whenever you or your salespeople travel, always be aware of your surroundings and mindful of anyone you think might be following you or tracking your movements. Try these recommended tips to stay safe on the road:

• Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) is an authority on jewelry crime prevention. They can provide you with information regarding jewelry crime in a specific area where your sales team may be traveling.
• Always have a plan for your day so that you can remain with your jewelry line and avoid distractions.
• Carry a fully charged cell phone.
• Do not become predictable in your travels, especially if you travel to the same area on a regular basis. Vary your routes, hotels, and car-rental vendors on a regular basis.
• If you rent a car, rent a nondescript vehicle and disguise any references to it as a rental car.
• Call the jewelers you plan to visit immediately before you arrive and ask them to observe the exterior of their premises for suspicious vehicles.
• Show merchandise and conduct business in a secure location such as a back office or conference room rather than on the showroom floor.
• Give the jewelers you are visiting your cell phone number and ask them to watch you as you leave. Tell them to contact you and the police if they suspect you have been followed from their location.
• Arrange in advance for your last appointment to hold your line overnight; present a signed bailee form, which releases the jeweler from liability.
• If you are robbed, remain calm and do not resist. Your line should be adequately insured, and it is not is worth your safety or your life.

For more information about creating a crime prevention network and other tips for traveling sales people, visit Jewelers Mutual’s website at JewelersMutual.com.

MJSA exclusively endorses Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company’s commercial and personal jewelry insurance products. To learn more about Jewelers Mutual’s coverages and to find an experienced insurance agent in your area, contact Jewelers Mutual at 1-800-558-6411.