Fueling Your Security Program with Stakeholder Feedback

Stakeholder feedback is a valuable source of information that can be used to improve safety and security, and to identify and mitigate risk. In a recent survey, Allied Universal asked security industry leaders what was the most important measure of a security program’s effectiveness. They told us it was stakeholder feedback. Stakeholders may include executives, investors, employees, visitors, tenants, customers or suppliers, depending on the facility. Their feedback and engagement can help position an organization for optimal growth.

Establishing a Feedback Program 

Stakeholder engagement is a critical element of your security plan. Whether it’s through formal or informal outlets, feedback must be a component of your program. These responses and comments can come in a variety of forms, but building relationships with stakeholders by involving them in security planning, or requesting their assistance in maintaining security protocols, should become standard practice. 

Communicating Feedback 

In an environment where comments are welcomed and received, input and feedback should be communicated through the proper channels. Companies need to communicate their findings to business leaders/decision makers, and internal and external stakeholders. By collaborating with these groups, it helps create overall safety and security program buy-in.

Implementing Your Findings 

Utilizing stakeholder feedback to evaluate and enhance your safety and security programs will help raise awareness within your organization. When stakeholders understand that you are making strategic decisions about their safety based on hard facts, they will quickly accept and appreciate your actions. The information you receive from internal and external stakeholders will help justify security budgets, processes and overall business strategies.

By reporting, identifying and implementing solutions, decision-makers and stakeholders will better understand a security program’s value while combating any negative impressions. Coupled with open lines of communication, stakeholders and security teams have the keys to improving any business environment.

  About the Author 
  Brian Webber is President, Midwest Region and Canada, for Allied Universal.