Provident Security Press

Productivity: Yes, we can [go paperless]!

It would have been a ridiculous job posting: “Security firm seeks person to keep track of paper.” But three years ago, such a hiring seemed inevitable for Michael Jagger, CEO of Vancouver-based Provident Security. That’s because in the 10 years since starting his one-man security guard operation in 1996, the firm had exploded into a full-service security provider with more than 200 employees and 4,500 customers. In the blink of an eye, it seemed, Jagger was drowning in paper and administrivia when he should have been focusing on business strategies.

Chopping Shop

Effective cost-cutting strategies are a staple in any business, good times or bad, but industry leaders say it’s not about how much a company cuts but making sure those cuts are the right ones to make.

According to Michael Jagger, president of Provident Security and Event Management Corp., it’s all about identifying the unnecessary or wasteful parts of your business and getting rid of them for good.

Those who know what their blind spots are can find opportunities in economic downturn

Savvy business owners are reflecting on the risks and opportunities afforded by the global economic downturn.

“We see opportunities coming at us that we never would have dreamed of six months ago,” Jim Pattison Group owner Jim Pattison told Business in Vancouver in late December. “I’m talking about companies, values, lots of things.”

Pattison wouldn’t reveal what transactions he might execute for B.C.’s largest private company, which is estimated to generate $6.4 billion in annual revenue.

City’s funding of security firms questioned

The owner of Provident Security stands to benefit from the city granting taxpayer dollars to business improvement associations for increased private security patrols. But Mike Jagger opposes the move.

“If there’s money going out to other BIAs, Kerrisdale certainly deserves it,” said Jagger, the president of Provident. “If given the choice, I would certainly recommend that we would want to have more police time.”