Would You Leave Your Business In The Hands Of Your Lowest Bidder

From time to time, I make a point of getting out with our teams on the ground. I genuinely value the work they do, and spending time alongside them gives me a greater appreciation of the challenges they face and the commitment they demonstrate every day.

It gives me the opportunity to listen to our officers, understand the challenges they face and stay connected with the work they carry out every day and night.

Recently, I joined one of our mobile officers on a night patrol.
During the evening, we passed a site protected by another security company. From outside, we could clearly see the officer asleep at their post.

My immediate reaction was disappointment—but simply blaming the officer would be too easy.

How long had they been working? Were welfare checks taking place? Were they properly supervised and supported? Had the contract been priced so tightly that suitable staffing and management had been compromised?
Most importantly, did the customer have any idea?

It made me consider an uncomfortable question:
Would you leave your business in the hands of your lowest bidder?
When a security contract is awarded almost entirely on price, something usually has to give—officer pay, training, supervision, welfare, technology or response capability.

These compromises may not be visible on a tender comparison sheet. They become visible when an alarm activates at 3:00 a.m., when an officer faces a difficult situation alone—or when an exhausted officer falls asleep.

I understand that every organisation has a budget. Security providers must remain competitive and deliver genuine value.
However, value for money and the lowest possible price are not the same thing.

At Veritech, we will always remain commercially competitive, but we will not compromise the welfare of our people or the protection of our customers simply to submit the lowest figure.

Perhaps the question should not be: “Who submitted the lowest price?”

It should be: “Who would we trust with our business when nobody is watching?”