In this week’s edition of “Strong, Safe & True,” we sit down with Minette Norman. Norman spent 30 years in the software industry but now dedicates her time to helping companies lead with empathy, fostering cultures of empathy, diversity, and inclusion. We talked to her about safety and security—both physical and psychological—and the critical role empathy plays in building safer, more inclusive environments.
Minette spoke about the importance of human connection in the workplace. She points out that not only does it fulfill an emotional need for employees, but having those relationships truly helps solve the hard problems that arise for businesses. It also leads to higher productivity and lower turnover.
Importance of Empathy
When you can create solid, safe workplaces in an emotional capacity, it can lead to stronger physical safety. Most domestic violence cases against women happen at the workplace, but because women fear being seen as bringing drama or problems with them, won’t open up to employers or coworkers. If people feel safe and protected at work, they would be more likely to share threats. That way, an employer could help guard their well-being.
Listen to the video to hear Minette talk about the importance of inclusion and diversity. Come back to our website for more videos like this one.
In any business, servicing clients properly and maintaining client interactions is key to success. PRS was recently approached by a publication to weigh in on one of our clients and our quotes will be included in the print version of this article. In the meantime, we are throwing the spotlight on Brad Minnis, Juniper’s Vice President of Environment, Health Safety & Security. We are honored to have been working with Brad for years.
Check out Mike’s thoughts on successfully servicing client relationships over the years. Continue to watch videos on our website for more videos like this one!
Children’s bodies being sold. Human Trafficking is not a new topic, however, with the lack of resources and ever evolving technology, putting human trafficking operations to a stop has become even more challenging. We sat down with Detective Sgt. Brandon James of the Seattle Police Department and Jim Fuda of Crime Stoppers to talk about the issue.
To lend perspective, 1 in 25 children will be solicited for sex online. That was a 2017 pre-pandemic study, so Fuda suspects that number is even higher. Think of the level or resources it takes to try to combat that amount of predators. We are seeing the trickle down effect of vaccine mandates and the labor shortage across our country, including in the security world. The Seattle Police Department is also seeing that.
The number of investigators they have solely for trafficking, just fell and the job is already more demanding because of new technology. Calls come in all the time about incidents involving exploited children. One of the more recent, elementary school kids who sent inappropriate pictures through apps. What concerns both James and Fuda, is the ongoing lack of awareness of the danger that lurks online.
James often has to parent the parents, explaining that a child does not have a right to privacy on a device. We preach stranger danger, but he reminds us all that when we allow a child to speak with strangers online, we are inviting into our homes. It is the same thing. Children need to realize just because someone says they’re 12 years old, doesn’t make it true.
The hard part is once these children are targeted, the grooming and trafficking begins. It starts innocently enough, questions like, what’s your favorite hobby, do you have a dog, what kind of music do you like. Then the perpetrator finds out details, like where the child goes to school and uses them. It goes from asking for pictures of a puppy, to the child’s “pretty face” and the decline progresses. Then if the child wants to tell, sometimes they can’t because of fear.
Predators will threaten harming loved ones. Once inappropriate pictures are out there, there’s no way for them not to be. The bottom line is parents should be monitoring everything online, especially video chats. It is very hard to recover evidence from chats.
Click on the video to see the interview and learn more valuable information to help keeps kids safe! Visit our website for more videos just like this one!
The Client: In this case study example, PRS assisted a Fortune 500 financial services company during the May Day (International Workers’ Day; May 1st 2015) Protests in Seattle, WA USA.
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The Situation: Historically the May Day Protests in Seattle have experienced violence and rioting that have targeted capitalistic organizations. Many businesses in the downtown corridor of Seattle have recently decided to shut down operations early in the day on May 1st each calendar year in order to avoid life safety & security-related issues. Much property damage has been known to occur during the protests that turn into riots as the day turns into night. The client themselves have experienced significant property damage in years past. The client desires optimal business operations during this day that will cause the least amount of interruption to their customers and employees.
Protest Solution
PRS deployed 7 agents from its private security services pool at various times throughout the course of the business day to cover higher-risk locations where protest activity has been known to occur. PRS also implemented a dedicated project manager to work alongside the client to monitor all social media activity related to protests and anarchist activities to keep deployed agents situationally aware of the protestor movement. Further, 2 of the 7 agents were on foot patrol and dressed to blend into the crowd to appear as protestors to feedback “real-time” info on observations, activities, threats, etc to provide enhanced situational awareness.
The Result: The client experienced zero interruption and zero loss. At several locations, the client closed business operations a few hours early to let employees go early in an effort to divert them from the main protest activity of the day, but also to help alleviate any customers from the very same. The main client point of contact was able to focus his energies and efforts on internal communications while being fed relevant, pertinent information to their business interests. PRS personnel ensured each employee departed their respective workplace location without harm or harassment.
Premier Risk Solutions provides the best in class global protective, consultative and investigative solutions for organizations to adapt to evolving business objectives and allow for scalability and agility. Through partnerships and strategic alliances, PRS offers support in 65 different countries. Our clients consistently tell us that our solutions are a cut above the competition. We foster a collaborative relationship with clients and vendors leading to the most successful service execution for all parties involved. We strive for each and every service no matter how small or large to have the best customer service experience possible. At PRS you will feel you are working with a partner who has your organizational brand and integrity in-mind.
Our CEO of PRS, Michael Delamere was featured as a panelist at the MSSGreat Lake Forum. In case you missed the panel discussion, we are linking it here in our blog. Along with Delamere, Craig McKim, Drew Neckar and David Schlecte, Mike talked about the skills security professionals need to have, our usage of behavioral sciences in our hiring process and advice on where and how to utilize social media. A big thanks to Phelim Rowe for featuring our company in this event!
Mike talked about how valuable soft skills as security professionals and how key the ability to communicate with the C-Suite is. We use people sciences when we onboard new hires to clearly define what abilities employees have and what tools they need to be effective and engaged. That ultimately leads to a better level of efficiency in organizations.
The one thing we pride ourselves on at PRS is using our platform to educate. When asked about usage of social media as a way to engage clients and do business, Mike articulated our primary goal. We used LinkedIn primarily and as a tool to share information not fear monger, but to disseminate valuable knowledge. We make it a point to provide original content and do it on a regular basis, so our base knows what to expect and when to expect it.
Listen to the rest of in interview in the video to hear about Mike’s view on business acumen and what the current climate is in higher learning institutions regarding private security. Be sure to visit our website for more videos like this one.
