By Doc Rogers

As bodyguards we like to believe that most people are generally decent. However, on-duty everyone is suspect. Threats towards your client can occur in the blink of an eye. Criminal motivation is simple: to take from others and often doing harm in the process. Terrorist motivation is more complicated: to cause fear by violence and by causing chaos.

When on bodyguard assignments across the world or in your own city; these groups need to be identified and their activities avoided at all costs. None of these groups have concern for you or your clients’ well-being. Though far from comprehensive this article will assist you in minimizing the criminal and terrorist risks against you and your clients. The basics of bodyguard risk management include:

1. Who is the Enemy.  Ask yourself who is the most likely enemy in your area of operation (criminal, terrorist, or both)?

2. Appraisal and Evaluation.  Study and learn the enemy’s goals and capabilities and what is the most risky action they can utilize against your client.

3. Strategic Planning.  From historical events study the enemy’s strategies and tactics employed. Such as type ambush attacks used, weapons employed, do attacks occurring on roads, tunnels and bridges, etc. (history often repeats itself).

4. Power and Lack of Power.  Identify the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses from recent and/or past significant incidents. This will help you get the broad, overall view, the perspective on the potential risks involved and avoiding them for your clients’ protection.

5. Effective Methods Used.  Know the enemy’s effectiveness when carrying out their activities. Are they well organized or disorganized? Do they try to inflict maximum harm on their victims or just take their possessions with minimum violence?

6. Ability to Move.  Know the enemy’s mobility and movement; do they attack on foot, from automobiles, motorbikes or a combination, what are their normal escape route procedures?

Planning your bodyguard risk management strategies for client safety should be a careful and deliberate process.  As bodyguards we must know our enemies, the risks these so-called enemies’s present to our clients. It’s pretty basic stuff; but having this knowledge has a definite bearing on the bodyguards’ capabilities and the course of action he or she will take for avoidance of such risks. Keep safe my friend and God speed.

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

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

http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, & LICENSING

Many bodyguards are former police officers, ex-military, secret service agents, FBI agents, and security guards. Most agencies hiring bodyguards require a high school diploma or GED. They also screen applicants–conducting extensive background investigations and credit checks. In addition, most bodyguards must pass a health examination and drug tests.

While no national certification or licensing is needed to become a bodyguard, many clients prefer bodyguards who have attended one of several specialized training courses or “bodyguard schools” that offer certification as a personal protection specialist. Other clients look for certification proving specific skills as CPR and self-defense. Still other clients prefer bodyguards with an extensive background in police work or who are licensed to carry firearms.

Specific tasks include:

• Planning a client’s arrivals and departures throughout the day to minimize risks

• Handling paparazzi, media, and friendly approaches from fans

• Providing defensive escort driving to escape fans, paparazzi, or pursuers

• Engaging in unarmed defensive tactics to thwart aggressive fans

• Conducting home, office, vehicle, and building searches

• Protecting clients in crowd situations

• Making logistical arrangements for any trip outside the home or office

Voluntary certification in physical security and as a protection professional is available from the American Society of Industrial Security.

By Doc Rogers

The objective of this article is to help talented bodyguards’ problem-solve their money management activities and to reach their financial goals. As bodyguards we get paid sporadically at times.  The goal is to plan an effective budget and to accumulate enough funds to survive the slow times and eventually become self-sufficient. No one is coming to our financial rescue; we need to hang tough there is no other option.

This year serious bodyguards and elite executive protection specialists will make a lot more money in the industry than in previous years.  This is the best time to get the ball rolling and accomplish something important financially with your bodyguard career.  Money management takes three of the most unglamorous things to accomplish; planning, self-discipline and hard-work.  Practice them or perish:

1. Planning. Bodyguards should efficiently plan their time, energy and money into areas of the profession that offers the biggest payoffs.  Bodyguards should be constantly asking themselves on a daily basis: “What is the best use of my time and what BG projects will be most financially rewarding?” Focus on the most important projects and activities. You must start planning business and personal lifestyle changes to reduce your overhead. You goal at this stage of the game is to earn more and save more of what you earn.

2. Self-discipline. Unlike what you see on TV bodyguards should not live a lavish lifestyle, we are not rock stars. You don’t need the latest model car, drive a nondescript one instead, you don’t need that Rolex, a Timex will do for now. You don’t need to display a social status at this time; you need to start building a nice little nest egg for yourself.  It’s time to get focused and get your financial house in order. Cut all useless spending; stop or cutback on going out to the club for a round of drinks and start tighten up your spending habits.

3. Hard-work. Now it’s time to get focused and get your head into the game. Make your money management goals happen through hard-work and action. Open a savings account either at your local bank or online (http://ingdirect.com).  After every successful BG assignment tuck away $500 into your savings account. Take for example if a bodyguard goes on three well-paid BG assignments per month, that’s thirty-six assignments per year, saving $500 from each assignment adds up to a total savings of $18,000. You are now taking full responsibly of your money management. Your individual savings budget may fluctuate, save a much as you can.

Your bodyguard career financial barriers can only be surpassed by extraordinary measures. Continue to significantly reduce your spending and push yourself to save beyond your normal cash saving limits.  You number one enemy is hesitation. The clock is ticking. Good luck and God speed.

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

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

http://international-corporate-executive-protection.com/order.asp

http://corporate-executive-protection.com/

By Doc Rogers

Bodyguards need to plan strategically in order to achieve long-term career success. Obtaining BG assignments can be highly competitive; you should strive not only for optimum client protection, but also client loyalty.  Client loyalty is when your clients come back because you are the best BG choice. You must provide a superior service, the best possible price, with the shortest lead-time. Let’s take a closer look at these three basics.

1. Service. Exceptional bodyguard service starts with good professional training for yourself and hiring the right people for the BG team. Carefully select BG team members who are loyal and discreet. They must have a commitment for delivering extreme levels of BG service with relentless focus in a well-disciplined and methodical manner. Having a highly-skilled BG team not only trained in protective skills, but also in excellent customer service, care and professionalism. This will provide your clients with superior service and your BG team will achieve a higher level of performance.

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By Doc Rogers

The following article provides strategies that should help you retain your present clients, as well as attract more business even in these recessionary times.

In today’s economic climate, present and prospective clients are expecting more for their money when hiring protection. This means we must add more value and better service while doing our core bodyguard duties of keeping the client safe and secure at all times.

We need to be looking for ways to make the client’s life easier; providing them with anything they may want (legally) while doing our job with professional efficiency. As professionals we must pay attention to details, no matter how small.

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