As you prepare for the busy holiday shopping season, don't forget to stay vigilant with your security measures. 

Thieves come out in full force during the holidays. Knowing they can blend in with the rest of us who are out shopping for gifts, they're looking to pad their own wallet or collection.

With jewelry store thefts increasing in recent years, your entire staff needs to be prepared to help prevent crimes that can easily go unnoticed.

Dealing with false alarms can put stress on your security system and cost you time and additional expenses. However, an alarm not responded to can put your business at risk and if you respond to an alarm alone, you could be putting your safety in jeopardy.

One way to avoid putting yourself in danger is to have your alarm company inspect your system on an annual basis to ensure all its components are working properly. Another way is to hire a trained and reliable alarm response service to respond to activated alarms.

The way jewelers do business is changing, especially over the past 18 months, and many jewelers are finding other ways to buy and sell their pieces. One of those alternative ways is with private showings which may involve one party renting a hotel suite or other reservable space and sending invites to prospective buyers.

While these private shows are another way to pivot your business strategy to facilitate meaningful connections, you still need to be vigilant when it comes to keeping yourself and your inventory secure.

As a manager or owner of a jewelry business, you have a lot of difficult decisions to make.

Even if they're not the first things that come to mind, hiring and firing decisions are probably some of the most difficult ones a manager or business owner need to make. There are a lot of emotions involved and sometimes financial stakes at play. Whatever the reasons, creating new ties with another person or severing old ones often result in high stress.

The amount of active shooter incidents has underscored the need for a coordinated response by law enforcement and communities to save lives.

Although local and state law enforcement agencies are typically the first to arrive at the scene, successful prevention of these active shooter incidents lies with a wide range of public and private entities working together.