To all CEOs, celebrities, VIPs, and high-value individuals…
At some point in your careers, you will most likely find the need to retain, or at the very least, inquire about close protection services for yourselves, your loved ones, and possibly for those you employ closest to you.
Now, the list of companies and corporations that provide these types of services is quite lengthy and, while at first, they all appear very impressive, you need to be thorough as you take a deep look at them and the ideals and morals they represent. Again, you are searching for the perfect fit that best protects yourselves, your families, your employees, and all things that you need secured and confidential.
A quite disturbing trend as of late has been the repeated posting of pics with you as the client, at your locations and in front of your vehicles, private planes, residences, etc. while boasting about the details of who you might be, what was happening or other items of a secure nature. Now, this is entirely unacceptable no matter what the terms or conditions of their employment may be with you. You, and all that that may encompass, are to be secure, confidential, and invisible for all intents and purposes. Period.
Social media has become the source of all communications amongst a great number of these entities and this in turn has led to a trend of exposing enormous amounts of confidential client information when it is not only unnecessary but highly unprofessional and, frankly, childish. At times, it has even been portrayed as “marketing” when, in it’s true form, it’s nothing more than schoolyard bragging.
So, when researching a prospective organization that you perceive may be the one you will choose, a thorough search of all related social media should be performed. The company’s sites, the reviews, and even the social media sites of any/all possible employees that you might hire from their corporation. If they are willing to expose their previous clients with seemingly reckless abandon, you will most likely be the next celebrity/VIP pic that hits the Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn circuit and that is, I’m quite sure, not your desire at all.
Many companies will show an endless supply of “tactical” pictures, extreme condition photos, worst-case scenario snapshots, etc. Please understand that most of the organizations are composed of a large number of former military members, former LEO/SWAT members, and private security contractors who have “been there & done that”. But it is always wise to remember that while these skills are highly advantageous should everything go tragically wrong in your day, these types of days should never happen if the proper planning is performed which is completely above and beyond the “hard skills” as they are often referred to.
Another highly recommended item is a detailed NDA and total social media blackout for all involved. Leave nothing to chance and be very clear regarding the seriousness that this represents to you and the severity of disciplinary action should it be violated. Again, you and all you hold most dear are to be secure, confidential, and private and definitely NOT on the front page of a local newspaper, tabloid, media page, or out to the highest bidder.
Always remember this…You came looking to us with your concerns and fears, placing your overall well-being in our capable hands. With that in mind, you should always feel protected, safe, and secure from anyone or anything that might wish to harm you. And that harm should NEVER be at the hands of the very people whom you have so willingly trusted to provide the very best security, protection, and peace of mind.
Denida Zinxhiria Grow
Founder & CEO
Athena Academy
At Athena Worldwide we are industry leaders in promoting, training, and staffing female bodyguards internationally. With our affiliate offices, we can provide worldwide close protection and executive protection services for entertainment professionals, politicians, CEOs, Royal Families, journalists, clergy, and corporate personnel. Want to find out more about female bodyguards? visit www.athenaworldwide.com