The transition from a traditional loss prevention organization to an asset and profit protection team emerged as the focus for Sears Holding Management Company (SHMC) executives gathered in Chicago this week.
Over 225 zone, market, and regional executives attending Sears’ Asset and Profit Protection (APP) National Conference received an inside look at why the organization is making the move from a loss prevention approach to an emphasis on asset and profit protection. They also heard about how the shift will take hold in the days, weeks, and months to come.
As he welcomed attendees to the conference Tuesday, Scott Glenn, vice president and chief security officer likened the new approach to a ship with an unknown object in its path. “We have a choice,” challenged Glenn. “We can be the arrogant boat that’s unwilling to change its course and end up smashing into the lighthouse on the shore, or we can make a humble decision to smartly adjust our course and yet still leverage our historical strengths.”
Glenn pointed to the significant changes in the retail landscape, changes in the company, and changes in the loss prevention/asset protection industry as he called the APP Team to follow suit. “Over the last 20 years, we moved from security to loss prevention to asset protection to, what I think we will be the future of LP/AP – enterprise risk protection,” said Glenn.
Glenn underscored the magnitude of the move to APP by emphasizing the company’s bottom line. “The time is right to shift, to make fundamental changes and to support the transformation of our company – to help us make more money and to sustain the organization in the years ahead,” said Glenn. “We are leveraging the power of data, business intelligence, and most importantly our 6,800-plus APP associates for the benefit of Sears Holdings.”
Jonathan Edmiston, Division Vice-President, echoed Glenn’s sentiments as he challenged the APP team to become change agents. “We may be APP professionals but never forget we are retail professionals first,” said Edmiston. “Our job is to understand the top line, the bottom line, and all the lines in the middle…by understanding our business better than anyone, you can do what you do as leaders and influence change.”
In addition to the APP launch and rebranding, other highlights of the weeklong conference include training workshops on flawless execution, business intelligence, learning and development, safety, crisis and emergency management, and systems and technology improvements. Additional events included presentations from members of the Senior Leadership team as well as town hall-style discussions, and recognition of top performers and partners. The event wraps up with a vendor showcase on Friday.
Thank you to Scott Glenn and SHMC for inviting LP Magazine and EyeOnLP, our video news channel, to be onsite at the annual conference, capturing the messages, the excitement, as well as the fun surrounding the transition and the conference as a whole.
