Running a successful business is no easy feat. Planning and projecting will only get you so far, and after a while, you’ll need to grow, learn and adapt in order to achieve continued success. In my years of starting and running a business, working with small business owners across the country, I’ve noticed a few things most successful business owners have in common.
Review Business Plan and Budget
Your business is ever changing, and your business plan and budget should flex along with your business’ growing needs. To successfully launch a business, a business plan and budget together make a great starting point for planning the way your business will grow and flourish. However, even the most fastidiously planned businesses will run into some surprises along the way.
Reviewing your business plan and budget at the end of each year serves as a great way to evaluate the successes and failures your business may have experienced that calendar year. Honestly ask yourself if you are still on your planned trajectory, or if you need to make some modifications in order to see better returns in the years to come. Reallocating funds and efforts in order to increase profits after conducting a business review will be necessary at times, and successful business owners don’t shy away from making these changes.
Embrace Software and Technology
Some business owners are stagnant – doing things the way they’ve always been done. This can include bookkeeping in stacks upon stacks of notebooks, writing paper receipts, sending out old-fashioned mailers and relying on word-of-mouth to sell your service or product. What may have worked 15-20 years ago isn’t likely going to cut it these days.
Embracing technology will not only bring your business into the 21st century, but it will also help your business become more efficient and more profitable. Rely on accounting and bookkeeping software to replace paper balance sheets, keep a website up-to-date and timely, and take advantage of the vast array of marketing tools available to small businesses on the web.
Delegate Job Tasks and Responsibilities
I think it’s part of the entrepreneurial mindset to believe that we can do it all, but the truth is, if you try to do it all, you’ll run yourself mad (or worse). Shouldering all of the responsibilities and tasks needed to grow a successful business yourself will simply burn you out and exhaust you. A tired and disgruntled business owner is not a successful one.
Learn to delegate responsibilities and trust that your team can carry out important tasks in order to grow the business in a responsible way. After all, you hired employees to help you, so let them do their job so that you can focus on more important, higher-level tasks.
Know Your Financials
A business owner that doesn’t know his or her financials is likely headed down the wrong road. Knowing where your business stands in terms of profits and losses is the only way you can make informed choices for your business in the future.
Unfortunately, I regularly deal with business owners seeking financing for their companies who are not current on their financials. It puzzles me that a business owner would seek borrowed money when they aren’t even sure where the money they had gone. A successful and responsible business owner will be current with their financials within the past two weeks and be able to intelligently discuss the financial state of their business.
If you struggle with balancing finances on your own, consider hiring an accounting or a part-time bookkeeper that can help you keep things in order. 
Take Calculated Risks
Chances are, if you own your own business, you are a risk-taker by nature. A huge part of becoming an entrepreneur and running a successful business is risk tolerance. Successful business owners strive to see progress every day and are willing to take some calculated risks in order to achieve that goal.
A big part of the willingness to take risks is an entrepreneur’s own personality, the support system that exists around him or her. Your tenacious nature, creativity and intuition for growing your business may only get you so far. You should also build a network of mentors and advisors who will help guide you through important decisions, and also lean on your friends and family for bits of advice when times get tough.
With the recent news that Google’s parent company, Alphabet, are in the process of launching a cybersecurity company, and the scandal surrounding Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, there’s never been a better time to ensure that your business is practising proper cybersecurity. In 2018, cybersecurity is just as pressing an issue as physical security. Data breeches can ruin businesses. Let’s take a look at some of the key ways to ensure that your data is kept safe.
Firewalls and Antivirus Software
It seems obvious, but there’s no overstating the importance of Firewalls and Antivirus software. With new viruses being developed every day to steal your login credentials, erase data or brick your computer it’s important to invest in software that works. Investing in good software on all accounts, creating strong passwords and scheduling time for crucial updates are vital for cybersecurity.
Find out more about access control
Data Backups and Cybersecurity
It’s important to make regular backups of your business’ important data, and also to test that these backups can be restored. This will increase your cybersecurity in the case of physical damage to your building’s computers, from fire or theft, or from cybercrime such as ransomware.
Ensure that backing up your important data is part of your everyday work. Backing up to the cloud will ensure that your data can be accessed anywhere and won’t be affected by anything bad that happens to your office.
Access Control for Cybersecurity?
Once you’ve ensured that your computers are secure, it’s time to look at physical security. Criminals can steal your data by infiltrating your company. Criminals will often try to take control of personal or confidential data in order to damage your business; access control is ideal for preventing unauthorised people from accessing your building and can be considered a key part of cybersecurity.
For more information about access control for your business, or other important physical security measures, get in touch today!
Get in touch with Veritech Systems!
There are a number of benefits that come with using a CCTV system at your business, or even your home. CCTV systems have a broad variety of uses that go beyond simply being used to monitor the exterior or interior of a property. Veritech, a Southampton security company, details the main benefits of using CCTV.
Deter Criminals
One of the most recognised benefits of CCTV is its ability to deter criminals. A criminal that spots a CCTV camera is less likely to take the risk and burgle your premises. One security company has noted that criminals are typically disorganised and will consider CCTV to be an indication that a property is not fit to intrude.
Peace of Mind
One of the most important, but often overlooked advantages of CCTV is its potential for peace of mind. As so many modern cameras turn to wireless, you can check in on your property from your mobile phone. This allows you to get on with your life, knowing that you can check in at a moment’s notice and that your property is safe in the hands of your security company.
Insurance Rates
Insurance companies are more likely to reduce property insurance costs for owners that take proper steps in protecting their property. Your insurance company will note that you’ve installed CCTV and may reduce your premiums as a result. Additionally, if your property is broken into, CCTV gives you that all important evidence you need to support your insurance claim. This makes your insurance company far more likely to reimburse you for any losses.
Contact your security company for more information about CCTV
If you’re worried about the security of your business premises, contact your security company today. At Veritech, we’re always happy to hear from you and will conduct a full site survey to ensure that your place of operations is adequately secure.
As a security company in Southampton, we’re always keeping an eye on the statistics available when it comes to our security solutions. So this week, we decided to take a look at the statistics surrounding CCTV systems and the ways that they’re used in Southampton and across the UK in general.
The UK is the most surveilled country in the world
Beginning in the 1980s, the British government launched an initiative to increase the amount of CCTV surveillance across the country. The result is that now there are 1.85 million CCTV cameras operating across the UK (this figure takes into account privately operated cameras owned by a security company, as well as those owned by the government). Naturally, London is one of the places with the highest levels of surveillance (in the UK and world in general!), and the average Londoner is caught on CCTV more than 300 times a day.
The number of privately owned (security company) CCTV cameras surpasses those owned by the police
The number of CCTV cameras owned either by citizens or by a private security company outweighs the number of cameras owned by the police by a ratio of around 7:1. CCTV from a private security company is largely rented or bought by a private citizen to deter criminals from trespassing on private property. Private property includes homes and businesses.
Find out more about CCTV in Southampton!
Public spending on CCTV has decreased
Due to government cuts, we are currently seeing a decrease in public spending on CCTV cameras in the UK. Between 1999 and 2012, the number of cameras installed in public places by local authorities increased from 21,000 to over 51,000. More recently, much less public money has been spent on maintaining and installing security cameras. This doesn’t mean that CCTV is falling out of favour; rather it means that cameras from a private security company are more commonly being bought or rented by members of the public.
CCTV technology is always improving
In 2018, we’re seeing huge technological leaps on a nearly day-to-day basis. If people in the 1980s could see the work that’s being done with CCTV cameras now, it would be mind-blowing. Newer technology such as HD cameras and wireless cameras are continuing to change the ways in which we use CCTV. We’re now making much more use of technology such as cloud storage to collect big data and provide real-time footage. There’s no doubt that we’re on the cusp of the next exciting technical innovation for CCTV.
CCTV does prevent crime
CCTV isn’t just used as a way to catch criminals in the act. Rather, it’s used by both the police and by a security company to deter criminals from entering a property altogether. Criminals, naturally, are less likely to commit a crime if they believe that there’s a high risk of them getting caught. Adding CCTV to a property means that most criminals will be far less likely to take the risk.
If you’re worried about the security of your property, get in touch today. At Veritech, we’re dedicated to providing top of the range security solutions to keep your business safe from criminal activity.
Whether you’re a private or commercial company with maritime assets, you will need a security company that can keep an eye on your vessels for you. Maritime vessels are notoriously expensive, and as such are a prime target for thieves and other criminals. Let’s take a look at the ways in which Veritech can protect your assets.
CCTV Surveillance from your security company
At Veritech, we offer CCTV systems that are built specifically to handle the, often severe, conditions on docks. These CCTV systems feature anti-corrosive housings to combat the damage caused by salt spray and cold air. They also feature pan, tilt and zoom, and sensor technology to counteract smoke, heat and water ingress.
Find out more about our CCTV systems!
Our CCTV system has been developed for use on commercial vessels, passenger ships and offshore platforms. As a security company, we promise 24-hour network-based recordings to ensure that camera footage can be saved digitally and in real time.
A Human Presence
In addition to CCTV, you may choose to invest in a human presence from your security company. Hourly manned patrols and security inspections act as a great deterrent for the majority of criminals. The unpredictable nature of manned guarding means that criminals cannot study the guards’ patterns to find out when your property is not being guarded.
For extra security for your assets, you can opt for dog handlers. Dog handlers are particularly useful for sites with high levels of potential criminal activity, such as the docks. Dogs are particularly good at sensing presences on the site that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Contact us for manned guarding!
Contact Us For A Maritime Security Company
If you’re concerned about criminal activity or theft of your maritime assets, get in touch today. We have a number of security solutions that can be tailored to meet your needs. For a free site survey, simply contact us today.
When you’re looking for a security company in Southampton, you might wonder what services you will be offered. At Veritech, we have a range of services to suit the needs of any business. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the range of security solutions our security company in Southampton has to offer.
Manned Guarding
Your security company will be able to offer manned guarding. At Veritech, we provide human guards and dog handlers to protect your construction site or business premises. These guards provide hourly security inspections and perimeter security inspections. The human presence means that criminals will be deterred from breaking into your property.
CCTV & Alarm Systems from your Security Company
CCTV security systems are an ideal way to deter criminals from entering your premises. Placing your CCTV cameras in plain sight means that most criminals are likely to avoid breaking into your property. More tenacious criminals that choose to break in or vandalise your property regardless, will be faced with concrete evidence in the form of video footage, should you choose to prosecute. CCTV works especially well when coupled with alarm systems. We offer silent alarms that, when triggered, do not alert the criminals, but do alert your security company and the police.
Access Control
A valuable resource that your security company should offer is access control. We install our high-tech access control systems, and maintain them regularly to ensure that they are working at their best. This ensures that only those that you want to access your property will be able to enter.
Your security company will take care of your Vacant Property
Vacant properties can act as a magnet for criminals of all kinds. This means that by the time that you wish to use the property again, it’s been vandalised or items have been taken. Vacant property security from Veritech includes the boarding of windows, nightly guards patrols and CCTV security to ensure that your property is in great condition when you need to use it again.
Why Choose Veritech for your Security Company?
At Veritech, we offer all of these security solutions, and more. We also offer key holding services, maritime security, mobile patrols and a free site survey. For more information about our security solutions, get in touch.
Contact Us For More Information!
There are numerous benefits to securing your business’ property with a CCTV system. Due to the rise in crime, CCTV is essential for keeping your business protected from thieves, vandals and intruders. So what are the benefits of a CCTV system?
Deter Crime with a CCTV Security System
The presence of a camera acts as a powerful deterrent against would-be criminals. This is because most criminals are cowardly and are not willing to face the consequences of their actions, so they do not want their face captured on camera. Placing warnings about CCTV surveillance and placing your cameras so that they’re in plain sight is a good way to deter criminals from entering your premises.
Reduce Insurance
A building with a CCTV security system is, naturally, more secure than a building without one. This means that insurance companies are likely to charge you less, as you are less likely to make a claim. In addition to a more secure business space, you will save money each month on your premiums.
Evidence from your CCTV Security System
But what if your building is broken into? A CCTV security system can help with that too. CCTV footage provides concrete evidence placing the intruders on your property and committing a crime. If your building falls victim to a crime, you can rest assured that the perpetrators will be prosecuted for their crimes.
Safety and Morale
Keeping your employees safe is important, and a CCTV security system can do just that. CCTV is an effective way of assuring that everyone on your property is safe at all times. Surveillance ensures that your staff are protected from hostility from criminals and even other employees.
Contact Veritech for a CCTV System
For more information about our CCTV systems or any of our other security solutions, get in touch today!
A construction site alarm system is essential for preventing trespassers or vandals from damaging your property and delaying the completion of your project. Often these alarm systems are wireless and offer advanced features in order to allow for the deterring, alarming and response against criminals. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of construction site security systems.
Deter with a construction site alarm system
First and foremostly, an alarm system for your construction site acts as a great deterrent for vandals and trespassers. Trespassers, vandals or thieves can set your project back considerably. An alarm system in plain sight allows you to deter criminals from entering your property in the first place.
Alarm with a construction site alarm system
As many alarm systems are battery powered, they resist being tampered with by would-be criminals. This also means that even if the electricity and phone lines are turned off on the site, the alarm system will still sound.
When the alarm does sound, signals will be sent to Veritech, the keyholder, and the site owner. These alarms are often silent to not disturb neighbours and also the criminals before they can be caught.
Learn more about alarm systems!
React and respond quickly with construction site alarm system
A wireless alarm system is easily coupled with a CCTV system and other professional monitoring solutions, to ensure a quick presence on-site from security guards or police. It also means that your security solutions are operational 24 hours a day, so no matter when your construction site’s security is compromised, your security company will be taking care of it.
With all of these security systems combined, your site stays safe and your project doesn’t experience any setbacks. For more information about a construction site alarm system or any of our other security solutions, get in touch. We’d be happy to hear from you for a free site security survey.
Southampton Vacant Property Security
Unfortunately, Southampton has its fair share of criminals. Theft and vandalism are rife in the area, and these can be major setbacks for a business. Securing your vacant property in Southampton is vital to ensure that you’re protected against break-ins, vandalism and theft. Find out more about securing your vacant property in Southampton.
Securing windows and doors
At Veritech we offer a number of solutions for securing your vacant property in Southampton. Windows and doors can be boarded up with chipboard and ply to prevent potential thieves from smashing a window and getting into the premises. We also offer galvanised steel, which is naturally much stronger than chipboard and ply and offers a much stronger security solution.
Find out more about vacant property security solutions!
CCTV security for your vacant property in Southampton
Investing in CCTV for your vacant property is an ideal way to keep track of people trying to access your building. With wireless CCTV technology, you can check on your vacant property in Southampton from anywhere in the world, just using your phone. If the CCTV system is coupled with an alarm, any unwanted guests will likely be deterred. For the more tenacious criminal who breaks in regardless, the CCTV footage will act as evidence if you decide to prosecute.
Nightly mobile patrols for your vacant property in Southampton
A human presence is one of the most effective deterrents for would-be criminals. Mobile patrols can patrol parts of your vacant property in Southampton that CCTV cameras can’t see. In addition to this, mobile patrol guards are experts in diffusing situations before they have a chance to escalate. This means that they’ll be able to keep your building safe from intruders and save you time and money.
Get in touch with us for security solutions for your vacant property
For a free site survey or more information about security solutions for your vacant property, get in touch today!
There are a number of reasons to use wireless CCTV cameras over their wired cousins. Crime is always on the increase, so it’s up to your business to ensure that your surveillance system is up to the task of deterring criminals or catching them in the act. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of installing wireless CCTV cameras.
Wireless CCTV Cameras Have No Wires
Perhaps the most obvious advantage is that wireless cameras don’t have wires. Unfortunately, a criminal who wants to break into a building with wired CCTV surveillance, no matter how comprehensive the system, only needs a pair of wire cutters. At this point, they can get into the building with no surveillance whatsoever. Wireless CCTV cameras have no wires and, as such, aren’t susceptible to this kind of break-in.
Additionally, when installing a wired CCTV camera, you will likely need to drill holes and invest in mounting kits. Wireless CCTV cameras are far less time-consuming to install and are incredibly easy to use. Furthermore, you can angle the cameras in whichever way you want to adapt to the precise placements needed for adequate CCTV protection.
Find out more about Wireless CCTV!
Secured Footage
Wireless CCTV cameras in most cases save data directly to the cloud. They are also usually fitted with alarm monitoring services. A particularly tenacious criminal could easily break into your premises and damage the CCTV footage. This makes it impossible to build a case against them. With wireless CCTV cameras, your footage is safely backed up, making it impossible to fully destroy.
They also use highly secure encryption methods for backing up the digital data. This means that your footage is safe not just from physical crime, but also from cybercriminals. They’ll also even work during power outages, due to their independent power sources.
Wireless CCTV Cameras are more Flexible
Due to the lack of wires, wireless CCTV cameras can be placed wherever you need. With traditional CCTV cameras, the wires could restrict the possible placements, meaning that there could be parts of your building that were completely unmonitored. Going wireless also allows you to conceal the cameras much more easily, as you won’t be caught out by dangling wires.
Wireless CCTV Cameras are easily accessible
Wireless CCTV Cameras can be placed up to 10 miles away from the receiver and will still pick it up. The signal is also able to pass through walls, metal, wood, glass and plastic. You can access your wireless camera, and check the feeds, from anywhere in the world. This means that you can leave on holiday, or work remotely, and not have to worry about the security of your building.