By Doc Rogers
Hang out with people who share the same goals and philosophies that you do about bodyguarding as a livelihood. Make sure they are intelligent, well mannered and masters of self control. This will get you closer to your bodyguard goals. Avoid associating with people on a regular basis who are counterproductive to your bodyguard goals, this includes those who do drugs, drink too much liquor or are involved with any kind of illegal business.
When first starting out, building a strong team of bodyguards is important. Eventually these guys may be on your payroll guarding clients with you, so trust and respect is vital. If you don’t have any friends who want to become professional bodyguards, scout in places that have the type of people you are looking for (martial art studios, gyms, shooting ranges, bodyguard seminars, etc.).
You need different types of personnel to perform all the different tasks and duties such as security drivers, advance men, crowd control, and close-in protection bodyguards. Once you are satisfied with your team, you must ensure that they are trained and ready to guard your future clients against what ever threat may present itself.
You need to train them in proper bodyguarding techniques as well as the standard operating procedures you have set for the team. Teach your teammates to consistently apply bodyguard fundamentals, always positively contributing in providing a safe environment for your clients. Show a good sense of leadership during the training, with everything planned and mapped out in advance.
Regular training will consistently produce positive results on-the-job. And the only way to develop good results is by spending a lot of time training on the bodyguard basics. Helping the members of your team to become familiar with the commonly performed duties while bodyguarding a client in the real world, only achieved by countless hours of training.
All operations should be carried out by your team in a well-disciplined manner and in accordance with the established standards of training. This will ensure that your team will perform and act as professionals in every sense of the word. Watch who you associate with, formulate a plan of action, build trust and confidence between your teammates, this will help you gain an edge in the bodyguard profession.
As a precaution have all your team members sign NDAs (nondisclosure agreements) in accordance with your bodyguard service to your clients’ confidentiality matters. May all your bodyguard assignments be safe and profitable ones. Good luck and God speed.
Doc Rogers is the author of Corporate Executive Protection – A Manual for Inspiring Corporate Bodyguards and president and CEO of International Corporate Executive Protection Ltd. Doc has earned a Ph.D. in Security Administration from Southwest University and he is SE Asia’s leading expert on executive protection and corporate security. To learn how to make a full time living as a corporate bodyguard visit the websites below for more information.
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
Alonzo: great comments! Keep up the good work. Keep safe and God Speed.
More good advice. Some people have the wrong kind of energy and drain you of yours – not good when you have goals. And we’re also judged by who we associate with (someone, someday, is bound to notice).
Being a bodyguard is a lifestyle, and that impacts the buddy selection process, among other things.