People ask me, "What do you do for a living?" When I reply that I help manage a private security agency, I would usually get the raised eyebrow and the usual utterance, "Oh, really? I thought that security agencies are only run by retired military or police officers..." Well most of the time, that is true. But for every military or police officer working in the security industry, there would probably be ten or more civilian workers involved in some aspect of security work.
I'm writing this blog for those who do not have any police or military background who might want to set up their own private security agency or who might want to get themselves involved in some aspects of the security business but who do not know how to go about it.
In this blog, I will show you what steps are needed to set-up your own security agency business, how much capital is required, what equipment, furniture, fixtures and supplies are necessary to begin your venture.
After set-up, I will show you how to market your services and provide you sample letters and brochures that you can use to make your own marketing materials.
Accordingly, once you have a "signed, sealed, delivered" security services contract, you need to process applicants [recruitment, selection, hiring procedures], as well as train them prior to deployment [for an pre-posting briefing or orientation] as well as during the first three (3) days of deployment [as "break-in" on-the-job training. I will provide you with the general procedure, as well as some standard forms you might need, as well as a sample orientation program and training kits for your reference.
During the course of your business, you will find that there are clients who make unreasonable monetary claims which they insist should be shouldered by your agency because of some acts of negligence or omission made by your guards. I will teach you how you can reasonably reduce this business risk by showing you how to negotiate with your client BEFORE the commencement of your security operations for a MUTUALLY AGREED UPON PROCEDURE for what claims the agency may be liable for.
During the course of your business, you will likewise encounter difficult employees or those who just fail to uphold the agency's service standards. I will teach you how to deal with difficult employees, as well as the required notices and procedures for suspension or termination that follows the due process of law.
As time passes by, you will notice that as your business grows, you need to streamline your operations so that you can maximize your earnings. This means getting rid of security contracts with marginal profits, as well as those that consume too much time or resources to manage. I will help you set up a guide system to help you evaluate which contracts are worth keeping and which to discontinue.
As you mature in this business, you will find that there are other income opportunities which you can later on engage in. This includes selling electronic surveillance systems to compliment your guard force business, as well as setting up a training school to ensure the steady supply of well-trained personnel to man your posts. Other income opportunites include armor services, escort services and surveillance services. I will provide some general information on these topics as well.
