Zuzana Crawford, LPC, currently serves as a senior investigator on the PayPal Global Asset Protection team. She is responsible for investigations into possible criminal activity directed at PayPal platforms to protect both the PayPal brand and its users. Crawford has seven years of criminal fraud investigations experience within the e-commerce and financial space.
This is another series of interviews with working LP professionals who have earned their LPQ or LPC certifications from the Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) to hear in their own words why they pursued certification and how it benefited their careers. Zuzana Crawford’s perspective is unique in that she completed both the LPQ and the LPC.
Why did you decide to pursue certification? Was there something specific that influenced your decision?
We all own our own professional development. Striving for a continuous and consistent approach to identifying new opportunities of advancing our education is crucial and very important to me. I was looking for a course that would not only give me what I was looking for in terms of the theoretical knowledge that would set me for success in my previous and current roles within the asset protection team, but more importantly, for a course that would also inspire and challenge me intellectually and in terms of thinking bigger picture. When I found the curriculum for the LPC, I didn’t have to think too much; I knew it was a right thing to do.
Was the course what you expected?
It actually wasn’t; it was so much more than I expected. Similar to the LPQ, I have to reiterate that taking the course was an amazing experience, not only because of the quality and comprehensiveness of the study material, but also because of the way the course is written inspired me on many different levels. It opens up one’s mind and inspires you to think differently. It encourages us all to see a bigger picture and shows us what difference the knowledge and practical application of this material can make in both our careers and every day roles. And most importantly, it certainly makes us more well-rounded and skilled business professionals, leaders, and subject-matter experts in our chosen field.
What was the most eye-opening information that was part of the curriculum?
This course study is designed mainly for loss prevention professionals in the retail industry. However, when it comes to loss prevention, we all know that the boundaries between online and offline and other business segments are fading, if not completely disappearing. As such, the information covered in this course makes it broadly applicable and usable not only in the traditional retail setting, but also in the financial sector.
It amazed me how simple things like, for example, having a job description and a mission statement are taken for granted and how the impact of not having them might sometimes be overlooked. This course enabled me to recognize each step my management follows. It is a recipe listing the steps that can be tweaked and adjusted the way we need them. It is an enabler to help us succeed.
If you could offer one key takeaway to someone currently considering getting certified, what would it be?
Personal development and professional growth via studying opportunities like LPC is the best decision we can ever take.
Why should the LPC certification be given a preference over other courses out there in terms of the takeaways?
The answer is simple— it’s a granular and comprehensive knowledge resource covering all aspects of the loss prevention industry in one interactive, thought-inspiring, and inspirational course that will guarantee one’s mind-set change at the same time. Why would you want to miss it?
Do you think certification offers a professional advantage over those that have not been certified?
None of us know it all or will have an opportunity during our careers to get an exposure to all aspects of the loss prevention or asset protection profession. This is usually dictated by the needs of the company we work for, our position and time available, by our interests and opportunities, and essentially by the choices we make.
In my opinion, the LPC certification accomplishes several things. Apart from providing a very comprehensive overview of the major aspects of the profession, it also covers many other ones that we might have none or a very limited knowledge about. No matter where the career takes us in the future, I know for sure that whatever it is I learned will stay with me moving forward and will help me make more informed decisions in any situation or challenge that will be thrown at me.
The professional advantage of having this certification can also be viewed as simply being recognized by others for having a certain knowledge level within the loss prevention sector, and it validates in the eyes of others that I did invest in my professional development. Belonging to the LPQ and LPC family is without any hesitations a good thing. It creates professional trust, and it helped me to open many doors that I never knew ever existed.
Would you recommend certification to others?
I would recommend this course to anyone who is passionate about our profession and is prepared to invest time and energy to take their career to the next level. The broad application of the comprehensive knowledge is definitely a unique asset and advantage of this course, a course that is challenging and taking us on a journey at the same time.
Newly Certified
Following are individuals who recently earned their certifications.
Recent LPC Recipients
Bret Graddy, LPC, Sears Holdings
Shaun Hilton, LPC, TJMaxx
William Ives, LPC, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries
Charles Lindow, LPC
Jayne McGrath, LPC, CFI, Sears Holdings
Heather Ryder, LPC, CVS Health
Brandon Smith, LPC, Walmart Stores
Adam Wollman, LPC, Sears Holdings
Recent LPQ Recipients
John Bezek, LPQ
Ryan Birkemeier, LPQ, Ascena Retail Group
Perry Busateri, Jr., LPQ, student
Kathryn Dove, LPQ, American Eagle Outfitters
Joseph Heck, LPQ, Fanatics Authentic
Craig Hess, LPQ, Festival Foods
Jerry Mafwenga, LPQ, DC Water
Kyle Rutledge, LPQ, Walmart Stores
Yuen Shan Tsui, LPQ, Ralph Lauren