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By Doc Rogers

Many individuals entering the executive protection industry have only one talent or area of expertise and think that this will be enough to sustain their careers over the long haul.  A performing pony at a circus that knows only one trick does not attract the crowds or keep the audience attention. Let this be a warning to others not to fall into this trap.  Do not place limitations on yourself by excelling in just one area of the EP trade.

By all means specialize in the area of the trade that interests you the most; advance work, protective surveillance, counter-surveillance, close-protection or security driving. But try not to become noteworthy for only a single achievement or skill in the industry. Being a one-trick pony will limit your earning potential and reduce the kind of EP assignments you get offered; because your EP skill is something that can only be used for one very specific application. Some suggestions on how to avoid the one-trick pony syndrome is to learn about:

Threat assessment methodology – Learning the full spectrum of potential threats against your clients.

[Read more…] about Don’t Be A One-Trick Pony

By Doc Rogers

EP Assessment in Asian Countries

Many Western companies and affluent individuals are venturing out to Asia in search of new business opportunities. As professional bodyguards traveling with clients going to Asia, we may be required to obtain the services of indigenous EP and security personnel. This could include additional bodyguards, hall and wall staff and /or security drivers.  It should be the responsibility of the advance team to setup interviews to ensure that the indigenous personnel are physically capable of performing their essential duties and speak good English. Below is an assortment of capabilities and what to expect from the general EP and security population within the countries listed.

CHINA – EP agents in Beijing and Shanghai employ professional tactics; they are usually very well trained, organized and disciplined.  Although EP is not armed, their equipment is in immaculate condition. As a whole EP personnel in Beijing and Shanghai are not susceptible to bribery and have high morale. The predominant language spoken by EP personnel is basically Mandarin in the north and Cantonese in the south, however only 50 percent of the personnel on local EP teams speak English.

INDIA – Generally EP agents in India employ tactics that are marginally effective, there are a few that handle themselves with professionalism and effectiveness but as a whole EP standards are often lower than internationally acceptable. As a rule the EP personnel are not armed and the equipment they do utilize suffers from being worn. EP tactics are centered on being high-profile and teams do not try to blend into the local populace. Personnel are not susceptible to bribery and have high morale. The predominant language spoken by EP personnel is Hindi and English and most personnel have good English capabilities in India.

INDONESIA – EP in Jakarta is made up of trained and equipped personnel; however capabilities still lag behind advance world levels. There is normally a lack of integrated SOPs and this impedes operational control and coordination on assignments. Frequently EP agents do not work together, in concert, as a team. Emphasis is placed on counter-offensive methods with unsound contingency planning. Some personnel are susceptible to bribery, but as a whole have high morale. Only work with trusted vetted EP and security driver contractors in Indonesia. The predominant language spoken by EP personnel is Bahasa Indonesian and English and most EP personnel have good English capabilities in Jakarta.

[Read more…] about EP Assessment in Asian Countries

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By Doc Rogers

“Why didn’t they tell me that at the BG academy?” This is what many bodyguards say when on their first BG assignment. At the academy you learn the basics of advance work, protective formations, and motorcade procedures and firearms skills. A lot of emphasis is placed on the physical skills of the BG job. After graduating from the academy you are thrown to the wolves to find a BG job or land your first assignment. You normally don’t receive any guidance on how to survive in the industry and are forced to figure it out through a long trial and error period.  Here is some insight on the way things work.

Finding Work

Whether you are a bodyguard or a janitor looking for work conforms to a fairly well defined pattern. Janitors conduct reconnaissance on places and people where his services would be required (office buildings, businesses and corporations).  Bodyguards need to look for potential individuals and corporations who use bodyguard services of a fairly regular basis or that have an in-house executive protection unit (EPU). When applying for BG jobs don’t be too keen to show off your BG knowledge, this comes across as cocky and irritating. This is not how you want to be viewed. Play it cool, keep very professional, keep focused and ask questions. Pay very close attention to the answers, this is important information for rookie bodyguards.

On-the-Job

Okay, you have been hired by an EPU or assigned to a BG team that guarantees fairly consistent work worldwide. Here’s where you get down to business, you’ve got work to do and a lot to learn. Sure you are technically proficient and a competent professional, but now you have to learn how to do the job the team’s way and know how to play for the team.  The plan of attack is simple:

[Read more…] about The Rookie Bodyguards’ Survival Guide

By Doc Rogers

At some point in your executive protection career, you will need to navigate the minefields of the profession. This may come in the form of being given an assignment that looks as if it was setup to make you fail. In the EP business failure is not an option and can ruin a career and place clients at extreme risks.

But nevertheless, being setup to fail is a common occurrence. Why it happens is anyone’s guess; could be a strategic planning error, someone on the client’s team goofed-up on the scheduling or budget for the EP project. Now the EP assignment is given to you and you are responsible for making it happen without complications or delay. Never let an obstacle placed in your path rob you of EP success, this is when you develop character.

1.    First thing to do is make someone with influence on client’s team aware of the glaring problem within the schedule, timing or budget, etc. Don’t expect any assistance from this individual but make sure that you point out the problem and let him know you are working on it.

2.    Next, map out a plan of action on how to overcome the predicament. This should be accomplished with the assistance of the other players on your EP team. Explain the situation in black and white and don’t place blame on anyone for the particular problem.

[Read more…] about How to Navigate EP Minefields Successfully

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By Doc Rogers

Like any profession being a bodyguard has its ups and downs. It is a fun, exciting and profitable career but don’t be fooled, it takes genuine work, street and book smarts, as well as common sense. Below are some of the best and worst things about being a bodyguard.

The Best Things

•    A great way of life, offering lots of worldwide travel.

•    Can work anywhere in the world you desire.

•    Vast bodyguard opportunities everywhere to advance your career endeavors.

•    You can truly make a difference in a clients’ life in terms of safety, security and logistical comfort.

•    It’s rewarding to help others achieve their business and leisure activities by providing a noble service.

•    There are several different areas that you can specialize in; executive, celebrity or political protection.

[Read more…] about The Best and Worst Things about being a Bodyguard

By Doc Rogers

As bodyguards we need to protect our reputations as it is priceless in the industry. We need to be committed to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism without hesitation or exception. As bodyguards we must live by established standards when conducting our bodyguard business, working for clients and dealing with competitors.

This applies to our day-to-day BG actions, responsibilities and operational procedures. We must exercise good judgment and be accountable for all our decisions and actions. Decisions and actions must be based strictly on foresight, thoughtfulness, and the protection of our clients and not purely on financial gain.  Sure, reaching our financial goals is important to success, as it puts food on the table and pays the bills. However, what’s equally important is the way the financial goals are achieved.

We must take bold, uncompromising action for the safety of our clients as well as protect their confidentiality. This means releasing confidential information and/or materials is absolutely forbidden. We must also protect them legally by carrying firearms only when in compliance with the law.

When submitting invoices to the head office or directly to the client we must never falsify hours or billing amounts for any purpose. Dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances in this industry of ours.

We have to protect our clients’ reputation as well by being professional to those we meet in the course of the BG assignment. Never abusive, insulting, using foul language or gestures; leave the unprofessional, rowdy, intimidating and threatening  behavior to the street-level, amateur bodyguards.

This means also treating other professional bodyguards working the same event but for different clients with courtesy and respect. If you don’t want to be friendly, at least be respectful in public. Keep your temper and be humble and polite as much as possible.

We need to keep our egos outside of the job and try to foster a professional environment with other BG counterparts. Remember, we are all on the same team; we must lead by example and practice what we preach. Keep ethical, moral, legal, as well as professional and you’ll have a long and thriving BG career ahead. Keep safe and God speed.

http://www.trafford.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=182707

http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Executive-Protection-Inspiring-Bodyguards/dp/1425135927

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