SoKy Local Business or "SoKybiz"

Worry, it erodes the soul of many people and for independent small business people, worry creeps into to every aspect of our lives. All the things we must consider like earnings, cash flow, marketing, expenses, leases, employees, deadlines, new customers, lost customers, time, resources and on and on and on, we've got plenty to be worried about. But worry can be overcome through planning, policy, organization and good decisions.

I've recently opened another office and moved all of my "stuff" in. Got it all set up and then worried just a little bit about its security. Was someone going to break in a steal my stuff? How would I recover if they did? What can I do to prevent a break in? What would I do if all my stuff was lost?

I wasn't as worried about loss of equipment or information at my other company because I had a good recovery plan as well as adequate insurance to cover any loss. I was however concerned for the safety of the workers because they are very special to me. I had considered and dismissed getting a security system installed because I felt it was too much trouble, too expensive and frankly too paranoid.

After three bank robberies in the area in as many months and learning that the escape route of the bank robbers was within yards of my store, I decided that it might be a good idea to reconsider my decision if for no other reason, to protect the people in and around my business. I wanted them to have a "panic" button that would call the police instantly if the need arose.

Considering my options, I called a person I had met through my activity in the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Patricia Corcoran of Martin Security Systems, Inc. She had called on us when we opened the travel agency and I'd seen her at various chamber functions throughout the year. She was always nice and never pushy. Once she and I discussed the alarm system in the past and I told her I wasn't interested, she backed off and allowed me my decision. She was still very nice when I saw her and still offered to pay me for any referrals I sent her way. I was (and am) impressed.

When I had "reconsidered my decision" regarding the alarm system I asked my wife to help me find the number of "that really nice lady who sells ADT." She did, I called and Patricia was more than happy to help me re-evaluate my needs.

Patricia and I explored my main concern and she told me about the remote control panic option which allowed Carrie the ability to call for help from a button on their keychain. Now this is cool. (Sales lesson, address the client's key concern first, establish trust then sell the other features.) She explained the entire system and in that we already had some equipment installed that we inherited, she explained how we could work with that but get a free upgrade with our signed contract.

The installer came within days, installed the upgrades, demonstrated the control panel and "key fob's," and we were protected. If someone broke in after hours, the alarm would go off. Though we had a control panel, the new remote controls allowed Carrie to activate and deactivate the alarm just like a remote door lock on their cars. I was comforted knowing that if at any time they felt threatened or scared, they could press the panic button on the same remote and call the police. Ahhhh... peace.

When I opened my new home office for SoKy.net, I knew exactly who I was going to call... yep, you guessed it; Patricia Corcoran and Martin Security Systems. They had me hooked up in a couple of days and ADT has been great. I didn't need the panic button, but I got it anyway and I didn't need the remote, but I got it anyway because that's just what they do.

One lesson learned however. I guess I didn't read the small print because as it would appear, a permit must be purchased from the City of Bowling Green for the alarm system. We kind of learned the hard way after the alarm went off one night. We received a gentle reminder from the city with the form. Yes, we sent the form and a check... oops.

Now, back to my point. With all of the things on my mind and those things that are causing concern or dare I say, worry, I no longer wake with a concern that one of businesses will be sacked. I don't even think about the travel agency staff and of their safety because I know they are careful and have that panic button.

I was talking to Patricia when she came to set up SoKy.net and told her that I had no idea how much peace a security system offered. I explained that though I wasn't worried about things like that, the added protection of a security system felt better than I expected. At first, I didn't think the monthly monitoring fee was worth it, I stand corrected. I gladly pay for 24 hour monitoring of my businesses for that one less thing to worry about. It does offer peace of mind and an added assurance that I am doing what I need to do to protect my business and my customer's information.

I'll write more about other ways I protect myself through information back ups, network firewalls, passwords and insurance. It's my opinion that thinking about these things in advance saves hours of careful consideration (worry), and though some people might classify it as paranoia or needless expense, my response is simple; just think of all the new things you'll get to worry about after a break in. All the new "issues" you'll be forced to address when your computers, files, rolodex's, phones and other office equipment disappear overnight.

Frankly, disaster preparedness should be part of anyone's effective business plan and to me, it's just as important as the finance, marketing or operational sections. Being prepared for the worst has an extremely direct effect on how fast you can recover from those things we don't want to think about. A security system is one important part of protecting the people, information and assets of your small business... and those are things we all worry... eh... I mean "think" about.

Contact Patricia Corcoran at 270-791-4633 and let her know you read this. You may also want to let her know that she needs an email address and website. (grin) She is very attentive, very informative and very responsive to her customers... give her a chance and I think you'll be glad you did.

Other links

• City of Bowling Green www.bgky.org
• ADT Security www.ADT.com
• Martin Security Systems, Inc. *(no wbsite)* call Patricia @ 791-4633
• Honeywell Security Products (The kind Patricia Sells)
• Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
• Soky.Net, LLC

Oh... FTR: Neither Martin Security nor Patricia Corcoran paid me to write this up. However, if you would happen to purchase a system through her as a result of this article and mention it when you do, I may be eligible for a referral fee. My motive for writing this is not the fee, it is simply sharing my personal experience and peace of mind with an installed security system.

This was posted by SoKy : 1:54 PM