Amber Bradley – Editor-in-Chief – TalkLPnews
| If you’ve ever been out to dinner with me and the waiter suggests the octopus appetizer, you’ve unfortunately had to sit through my lecture about how incredibly smart octopuses are – and in fact, it should be illegal to eat them. Most of the time this is followed by many blank stares…which then spurs me to recount watching the documentary, My Octopus Teacher, a Netflix movie I highly recommend by the way, and it will undoubtably illustrate my point. After starting out in the industry over 15 years ago, I’ve seen LP professionals evolve into having a firm seat at that coveted c-suite table. No longer is succeeding in this industry about simply stopping thieves —it’s about constant adaptation, intelligence, and resilience. Oddly enough, one of the best models for an exceptional loss prevention professional isn’t human at all. It’s the octopus. The octopus is nature’s master of stealth, strategy, and survival. It embodies many of the skills that define top-tier loss prevention experts and top executives in general. Let’s explore how this fascinating creature’s unique abilities align with the skills necessary for excellence in our profession. Shape-Shifting: The Art of Adaptability Octopuses can change their body shape to squeeze through impossibly small openings, allowing them to escape predators or infiltrate tight spaces. Today especially, loss prevention executives must be adaptable to ever-changing circumstances. Policies change, technology evolves, and external/internal thieves become more sophisticated. A skilled loss prevention professional must be able to shift tactics, adapt to new challenges, and navigate different environments—whether it’s a luxury retailer, grocer, restaurant or varying footprints such as a warehouse, or a distribution center. I mean, have you seen an octopus shift into a flounder? It’s insane. |
| An octopus shape-shifting into a flounder. |
| Camouflage: Blending into the Environment The octopus is a master of camouflage, able to change color and texture to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Similarly, an effective loss prevention professional knows when to blend in and when to stand out. Being overly visible at the wrong time might put budget requests or strategic initiatives in jeopardy, but a more subtle approach when partnering with various departments might be perfect – blending into that department’s specific culture or desires. Intelligence: Outsmarting the Opposition Octopuses are widely regarded as one of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean (this is why they shouldn’t be eaten, IMHO). They solve puzzles, use tools, and display remarkable problem-solving abilities. Likewise, loss prevention is a thinking person’s game. It requires the ability to anticipate varying departments’ goals, your own boss’ measurement goals, and what your teams are thinking/feeling…just to name a few. Just as an octopus can figure out how to open a jar to get food, the LP professional must know his ‘opposition’ isn’t always an external/internal thief but it’s knowing how to think like your CEO about what’s ultimately important to the organization’s bottom line right now? Tool Use: Leveraging Technology and Resources Some octopuses use coconut shells or rocks as tools, demonstrating their ability to manipulate their environment to their advantage. In loss prevention, the use of tools—both technological and psychological—is critical. From surveillance systems and RFID tagging to behavioral analysis and forensic accounting, LP professionals must harness every available resource to protect assets. Regenerating Limbs: Bouncing Back from Setbacks One of the most fascinating traits of an octopus is its ability to regenerate lost limbs. In the world of business, setbacks are inevitable. Missing your shrink numbers, an unsuccessful investigation, or being passed over for a promotion can be discouraging. But resilience—the ability to learn from failures and keep moving forward—is what separates true executives from a sea of competition. Just like an octopus can regrow a lost tentacle, a skilled LP professional adapts, learns, and improves after every challenge. Escape Tactics: Knowing When to Pivot When an octopus is in danger, it can squirt ink and make a quick escape. Knowing when to disengage or shift focus is just as valuable. Sometimes, pursuing a specific project for too long might not be the best action even if it’s your passion. Other times, digging in and knowing when to pick your battles is important to your internal credibility as well as your organizational results. Knowing when to hold firm and when to shift direction is a skill honed over years of experience. Be an Octopus The octopus teaches us that success in LP/AP isn’t just about simply catching thieves or reducing shrink—it’s about intelligence, adaptation, resilience, and strategic thinking. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just starting out, embracing the mindset of an octopus can make you more effective in protecting assets and staying ahead of ever-evolving threats. So, the next time your party is offered the octopus appetizer, please, politely decline because you may just owe some success to its nine brains (yep). |