Who’s watching the store?
Everybody should trust everybody, right? Well, most of the time, but how about
when you are not around?
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They are silent, unobtrusive and disturb no one. Yet when everyone knows what is
going on and the cameras are working they know what they are doing and what
they are supposed to be doing.
No one objects. And why should they? We know there are cameras at banks, ATM units, most supermarkets and department stores,
always at cash registers and checkout counters.
I’m sure shoplifters reduce their activity at these locations, and if they try,
they are stopped before leaving.
Should drycleaners have cameras in their stores? To monitor activity and
production, it wouldn
’t hurt. At least you’ll know what is going on all the time.
Let’s look the finishing department. We know most plants have done away with piece
work and most pressers know the advantage of the new tensioning equipment. A
quick lesson in motion study can eliminate idleness and ceiling gazing, which
helps because 50 percent of most drycleaning plants
’ volume is pants. The operator simply tops the trouser and, while the second
pants are being topped, he is finishing the legs on the first pair on the
legger press. On some new presses, both legs are creased with one closing!)
With an all-viewing camera, even inexperienced trainees can be coached to soon
become expert and accomplish high quality with steady production.
The purpose of a detector camera was originally to prevent theft from the cash
register, but theft also can come in the form of taking breaks without
permission, taking phone calls, meeting visitors and doing personal work when
the boss or supervisor is not around. Some workers consider this part of the
benefits of the job. Cameras can monitor the production are and make sure
everyone is doing their job.
Detector cameras can be as inexpensive as $15. In that price range, you’re looking at a mock camera that has all the appearance of a real one — flashing LED light, a panning head and electrical cord.
You can also get more sophisticated systems with multiple cameras which can be
installed anywhere to cover the counter, storage nook, office, production,
cleaning room, etc., and can be connected to a home or central office with
recording equipment. These can run several hundred dollars. When you consider
the coverage and value, it
’s still a bargain.
The important thing is that they give you control — silently. They are totally quiet and effective and only need to be investigated
if there appears to be a reason. Could we ask for a better all-seeing manager?
