[New] BEHAVIOR AND REPUTATION

around your client, even if the client smokes. Don't scratch, pick your nose, chew gum, etc. when with your client. Hygiene is very important when you are working with other people. Normally, when you smell body odor on a person, the smell is from their clothes rather than the person. Shower and wash your clothes as much as possible, use deodorant but not as a substitute to washing, use mouthwash but not as a substitute for brushing your teeth. Keep your hair well cut and tidy.

I spoke to someone recently who said on one job they had a complaint because their aftershave was too strong. I remember one client I worked with specifically asking that I never wore aftershave, they were paying the bills so, okay… Remember, we are there to blend in, to be in the background. We don’t want to be noticed, we don’t want to out dress the client, wear better watches than the client, take attention away from the client, as I said previously, we are not fashionistas!

Where possible, always keep a washing or grooming kit handy so when you have time you can freshen up, this will make you feel better as well as sparing other people from smelling your BO! A simple washing or grooming kit can consist of the following: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, sewing kit, shoe polish and brushes.

If you have a security room, be it a hotel room or a purposebuilt room in a residence, it always needs to be kept clean and tidy. If there are no cleaners, then it will be your job to dust, hover, mop and clean the toilets. If you are working a shift system, this needs to be done every time before the next shift takes over. I know you will not have seen a bodyguard with a mop and hover in the movies, but this is reality.

When you are working you will come across many idiots who live in a fantasy world which is a cross between a James Bond movie and whatever special forces stories that have been told to them in the pub or seen on Facebook. This industry attracts this type of person. The big mistake a lot of people make is to forget that this is a very small industry and it’s easy to check someone out. If you

Circuit Magazine Issue 64

bullshit about your experience, you will be found out.

If you don't know something then ask, don't bluff it. If you are working for a good team, they will help you and respect your honesty. If you claim to know everything and have done everything people will class you as being full of shit, and if there is a problem they will stand back and watch you sort it out. It’s easy to test people to see if they sink or swim!

Be careful of who you associate with; the local big shot in a small city who has done a few courses or is an ex-local cop and touts themselves as highrisk bodyguard etc. would not being doing so if they were.

Remember: When the big fish leave the small pond to swim in the sea there is a very good chance they will eaten by sharks, this is why most big fish prefer small ponds! Think about it!

Remember, your personal behavior and reputation are the most important factors in you gaining regular employment contracts!

Orlando Wilson has worked in the security industry internationally for over 25 years. He has become accustomed to the types of complications that can occur, when dealing with international law enforcement agencies, organized criminal and Mafia groups. He is the chief consultant for Risks Inc. and based in Miami but spends much of his time traveling and providing a wide range of kidnapping prevention and tactical training services to private and government clients.