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Thinking Long term vs. Here & Now

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley sits down with Oscar Arango, Vice President of Assets Protection for Target to talk thinking creatively about positions within your career journey and the importance of connecting to the daily challenges within a store. Oscar also shares his thoughts on influencing store and field teams to positively impact the organization by gathering real-world information within the stores. Check out this key leader’s philosophy on leading such a large organization!

This TalkLP episode is sponsored by Gatekeeper Systems. To learn more about the perfect technology to help apprehend your merchandise, instead of shoplifters – keeping your employees and customers safe — visit Gatekeeper Systems here.

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From Being Led to Leading

Eddie Foley, Vice President of Loss Prevention at Tractor Supply Company, sits down with TalkLP host Amber Bradley about the transition and nuance of being led to leading. Eddie relays that making time for “hallway” conversations and ensuring you’re walking stores to hear the REAL feedback about how you’re doing in your role is super important.

Listen as Eddie defines some of the elements of a real “seasoned” loss prevention professional including understanding data analysis, developing personnel, and how to manage growth of a fast moving loss prevention department — 380 stores to over 2,000 — with Tractor Supply.

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Strategic (and Scary) Career Pivots

A pivot to a store manager? Yes, sir. TalkLP Host Amber Bradley grills Khristopher (Khris) Hamlin, Vice President, Asset Protection at Saks OFF 5th to explains why he decided to divert his climb up the asset protection ladder to obtain operations experience as a store manager.

This brave 25-year veteran describes how to he did it (and why) — including selecting his mentor and managing that relationship. Khris also explains why it’s so important HOW you craft the message you’re trying to convey within a relatable sense to your specific audience. Listen today for multi-layered lessons!

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Finally….A New Perspective on “Development”

Trump hit US trading partners with sweeping tariffs. Some countries are prepared to hit back.

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley is STOKED to chat with Mike Combs, Director of Asset Protection, Organized Retail Crime and Central Investigations Team at The Home Depot as he describes his take on talent development vs. career advancement. FINALLY someone is saying something new when it comes to managing and developing people. He also describes a “feedback loop” and how that works to improve the team dynamic — especially when the team is spread all over the country. Make sure you have a pen/paper (or iPad for those millennials out there) for this one. Take note peeps!

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[Don’t] Stay In Your Lane

Do you report to the CFO? Art Barraza, Director of Loss Prevention and Safety at Lovesac, chats with TalkLP Host Amber Bradley about the positives and challenges of working directly for the Chief Financial Officer. Learn the secret of having the answers before they ask the question….(hint: tie it into operational benefits)…but here’s some actual tips on how to do it! Art also talks mentors and gives a few shout outs…. Hear how Art selects a mentor and why. Oh yeah, Art also provides you the WORST career advice he ever received!

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The One Test You Must Take

Host of TalkLP, Amber Bradley, sits down with industry veteran John Goldyn, Vice President of Loss Prevention for Gabes. Amber and John talk how to plan your next career move, why understanding the inventory process is SO important, and why partnering (or experiencing) business operations is critical to your career. John also provides his “secret” job — and guess what, we all have (or should have) those secret jobs within our jobs that would help you get to where you want to be in your career! (*must listen to find out…yep)

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How to Not Die on the Wrong Hill

In this TalkLP episode, host Amber Bradley chats with the new Vice President of Safety and Loss Prevention at Domino’s, Nicole McDargh, CPP. This extremely meaty episode will give you writer’s cramp as Nicole discusses how to communicate the value proposition for loss prevention teams and program investments. She also explains why it’s so important to understanding how to NOT die on the wrong hill.

Nicole gives practical advice on the key principles of making change in a new organization including your first task: knowing who to ask what questions. And how important quick wins are both to new executives in an organization and even you veterans out there trying to excel at your current company. Oh yeah, solution providers — Nicole explains why she’s probably the most difficult person you’ve ever pitched, and she provides the EXACT outline of how a solution provider introductory pitch should go.

Listen today to learn why you should know your target when pitching any internal program, sales prospects or even your own personal connections!

You can check out Nicole’s LinkedIn profile here (and if you haven’t before you call her, that’s nuts).

This episode is sponsored by the Restaurant Loss Prevention & Security Association (RLPSA) who is holding its Annual Conference April 10 – 13 in downtown Denver. Nicole is speaking on various panels within an agenda that is PACKED with value. Check out the agenda and register here.

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Busting Tech Myths to Keep Stores Safer

Todd Fernandez, Director of Loss Prevention for Stater Bros. Markets sits down with TalkLP host Amber Bradley to bust some common misconceptions about technology that creates safer stores. Facial recognition technology is some of the most misunderstood tech out there; while possibly having the greatest return on keeping our retail stores safer. According to Zogby Analytics, 73% of California residents polled said that using facial recognition to solve crimes was appropriate. Take a listen to how this tech innovator keeps his stores safe while busting the most common myths out there!

Did you know there are multiple ways to implement face matching in your operation? How about using the tech within your LP team only? To understand how your organization could utilize FaceFirst simply to decrease your investigation time, contact Dara Riordan, President & Chief Operating Officer at FaceFirst here.

This TalkLP podcast is sponsored by FaceFirst. To learn more about FaceFirst’s offering, check them out here.

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Don’t have a failure example? You should.

TalkLP host Amber Bradley sits down with Steve Walker, Lead Director, Major Crimes for Walgreens to talk leadership, the transition from law enforcement to retail, changing law enforcement environment, and more. Steve provides the audience insights on learning a role quickly and who you should surround yourself with to ensure success. Steve also explains why each leader should have an example of failure and how to not take things so personal…AND what “take none of the credit, and all of the blame” actually means! Check it out from this industry veteran!

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Building an ORC Program

Alaina Kring, Senior Director, Loss Prevention Field Operations & Compliance at Gabes, and CLEAR Board Member chats with TalkLP host Amber Bradley about creating organized retail crime (ORC) programs within her organization, how to educate internal stakeholders about ORC, and the intricacies of implementing that program within your company. She also discusses the importance of cohesive planning and being prepared to “hit the highlights” for executive teams. Defining and communicating the importance of the “why behind the what” makes Alaina a standout in her field. Take a listen and you’ll see why.

Register today for the CLEAR conference in Orlando Nov. 7 – 10, 2022! Visit the conference site here.

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