Managing security staff effectively and building a solid esprit de corps requires some special management approaches, Brian Kelly, Chief Executive of security firm Black Swan International tells Business Advantage PNG.

Black Swan operations room Source: Black Swan International

Brian Kelly believes staff need to be incentivised and treated fairly. The first step, he says is to ‘try to create some esprit de corp’ within the firm.

‘We then explain to the guards how important it is for them to do their job within the overall security plan,’ he says. ‘They might be sitting on a gate or walking around a car park. Why is that important and what are the consequences of them not doing their job properly?’

Kelly says the company gives out employee of the month awards and has introduced an employee progression scheme. Staff members with a good attendance record are offered bonuses.

‘Unfortunately, in PNG sometimes people have a tendency after pay day not to turn up to work. We spent a lot of time eliminating that problem.’

‘We base all our pay increases on their attendance which is a big difference.

Unfortunately, in PNG sometimes people have a tendency after pay day not to turn up to work. We spent a lot of time eliminating that problem.’

Controlling risk

Black Swan International’s Brian Kelly

Kelly says Black Swan’s distinctive intellectual property is based on taking a holistic approach to risk.

‘For many years in PNG people have been using this conventional wisdom: guards, gates and guns. It is no longer relevant; it is not cost effective.

‘We like to think we have a more proactive approach to security solutions. It is based on insight and forecasting.

‘To establish a strong security culture it is necessary to pay attention to details.’

‘If you ask me for a price for 10 guards, I would reply by asking what is your problem and try to help you fix it. I would try to find a solution to your problem.

‘What actually minimises risk? Is it cameras? Is it guards? Is it dogs? Is it weapons?

‘Some sites might have 30 guards in a compound; we will try to do it with 10 well-trained people.

‘We will create a small effective team by utilising cameras in different ways, by utilising drones, by the way we position dogs.’

Security culture

Kelly says to establish a strong security culture it is necessary to pay attention to details.

‘There is no silver bullet solution, but there is an actual science to security and how you can mitigate risk.

‘You have to look at the way employees are checked into work. The way they wear uniforms. The way you might have access to the control systems. The way they handle cash and point-of-sale technology.

‘There is no silver bullet solution, but there is an actual science to security.’

‘Every one of those aspects affects the culture of the place. Do you let the fire door stay ajar for people to have a smoking break? Are you counting your money in plain view on the table? Are the higher theft items placed in full view of security guards?’