.png)
Here are five tips for anyone wishing to be a better executive protection subcontractor:
1. Remember who your client is!
While keeping the end principal safe and happy is critical, you must also keep the person or company that contracted you happy. Don't think you can place the security manager or company that hired you second. Otherwise, they may choose not to work with you again. Passivity on the part of the principal in most cases won't influence their decision.
2. Keep the CSO/GSOC informed.
The safety, well-being, and satisfaction of the executive are the responsibility of the CSO. Therefore, they'll want to participate in the process and understand what is happening on the ground. They'll also want to monitor and make sure everything is in order, especially if it's the first time they work with you.
The fact that most CSOs are based in a control room or office in another part of the world makes it somewhat difficult for them to engage.
Your role as subcontractors is to be their eyes and ears. One of your main goals, after securing the principal, is to help the CSO understand what's going on on the ground.
How can you do that?
Be one step ahead. Give them the updates and reports first. Don't force them to chase information after you! You will find that they will then automatically give you more room to maneuver because they feel that their executive is in good hands.
Remain accessible in communication. If you have not done the previous step properly, you may find that the CSO/GSOC constantly calling you and asking for information. Nothing annoys a manager more than an EP subcontractor who does not answer the phone or respond to messages when information is needed. If you are unable to maintain good communication while on the road, find an alternative way to forward information.
Be patient! Be patient and even more patient! Some clients can be very demanding with their requests. Their methodology may even seem unreasonable to you. Remember that your personal opinion is not relevant. Be patient and keep giving them what they need. Always respond to them with a good attitude and a service-oriented approach.
3. Ensure seamless collaboration.
Being easy to work with is crucial when operating as a subcontractor. By complying with the client's requests without making a big deal of every minor thing, you are making life easier for them. Try to find alternative solutions instead of throwing the problem back to them. Be professional and easy to work with, and they will contract you again and again, even if your rate is higher than others.
Here is a personal example that happened to me with a freelancer I worked with. He was a real professional. Smart, keen to travel and every executive I assigned him loved him. The perfect freelancer. But from an administrative point of view, he was difficult to work with. He complained about things beyond our control, made unnecessary dramas and partially met our (his employer's) specific requirements, which eventually led to our core team having to work harder instead of taking some of the load off. Eventually, as good as he was/is, we decided to stop working with him and hire someone else.
4. Be transparent and maintain professional dignity.
Transparency is a crucial point. As a subcontractor, you need to be transparent about your situation, your expenses, and - most importantly - your mistakes. The last thing you want is to hide that something happened on the job. (Even a seemingly insignificant thing.) Report and pass on the information to the person in charge and let them decide if further action is needed.
Mistakes happen, but concealing facts is already a reliability issue that affects your character and professional image.
5. Understand what it means to work under a grey hat.
When you work as an EP subcontractor for medium-sized companies, you are expected to represent them. Therefore, it is important that you are clear about how you should present yourself to the end client before the task starts
But do you really understand what working under a grey hat means? Not giving your business cards, is obvious, but not sharing your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or any personal information is no less critical.
I hope the above tips will help you in your next job as an EP subcontractor.
Make sure you show appreciation to those who contracted you by providing them with the most professional, transparent, and honest service possible.
If you need any help or advice, please feel free to reach out and contact us at any time.
.avif)
