AS Solution is changing the conversation about executive protection. This presentation offers valuable takeaways that we have learned while helping our clients with their global expansion.
Enhancing and Restoring Safety & Quality Cultures - Dave Litwiller - May 2024...
Corporate Executive Protection in the 21st Century
1.
2. Changing the conversation about EP
• From "why SHOULD we" to "why WOULDN'T you"
• Why we WANT to change the conversation.
• Help clients understand the value
• Help practitioners better express the value
• Create more acceptance of EP by more people that can
benefit
• Create more successful implementations for practitioners
• Improve the reputation of the industry as a whole
3. Changing the conversation about EP
• Why we NEED to change the conversation.
• Client NEEDS: Proliferation of global markets and travel
• Social media – increased prominence, "access" and
perception of approachability
• Volatility of risk environments
• Expectations of Executive Protection are not accurate
• Creates dissatisfaction and disillusionment – vulnerabilities
for client
• Makes a valuable service vulnerable to budget cuts
• Start to standardize best practices
4. The REALITY
• Executive protection keeps people SAFE, HAPPY and
PRODUCTIVE.
• "Your team makes it easy to travel, so we travel
more."
• Resourcefulness and adaptation.
• Understanding the ecosystem.
5. The REALITY…continued
• Cultural fit is more important than hard skills.
• We are more like a fire department than a police department.
• Hard skills are CRITICAL, but should not be the primary topic of
conversation
• Common practices are NOT best practices.
• The client is in charge.
6. The REALITY...continued
• Not being there when the client needs or wants support...BEING
there when the client DOESN'T need or want support.
• Customization is key, but many issues/challenges are similar
• Proactive planning is much better than reaction – things happen fast
• Creativity, flexibility, scalability and responsiveness are better than
dogma
8. How executive protection is different
• Our business is people and relationships:
• Environments, Operators and Clients are unique
• Environments – Complexity, non-standard within the
corporation, geographically challenging, misconceptions of EP
• Agents/Clients – “Type A” personalities, backgrounds
• Agents are required/expected to be independent as well as
great team players
• Agents need balanced approach in high criticality and highly
sensitive environments/relationships.
• TRUST
• High profile
• High expectations
9. CEP: Key concepts from my experience…
• We exist to provide solutions that keep people safe, happy and productive
• Understanding how to develop influence and transparency across the
corporate ecosystem
• Creating elevated relationships and collaboration within the corp and with
“specialist partners”
• Our business is people and relationships
• Culture eats strategy for breakfast – need both
• Understanding what others are doing and the difference between best
practices and common practices
• Image of the group is important – creative problem solvers that are reliable
under any circumstances – the “go to” group for the hard stuff
• Do your job and help others accomplish their goals
10. CEP: Lessons learned from my experience…
• The First 90 days
• The program needs immediate access to professional
advisors and global resources and networks
• Manage all operational support from day 1 – organized
and structured…first impressions are key (refer to slide
one)
• Assessment of risks, threats and vulnerabilities
• Assessment of culture, readiness, immediate action
priorities and the best path for integration
11. CEP: Lessons learned from my experience…
• The First 90 days
• Agreement with key stakeholders on what success looks like
• Staff appropriately for the risks, requirements and culture
• Build/document a long-term strategy, standards and
procedures
• Create supportive coalitions and relationships across the
ecosystem – constant and on-going
• Create understanding and transparency: operationally and
financially – “what do you guys do anyway?”
• Develop a communication plan for the ecosystem and start
sharing information, insights and key performance indicators
12. CEP: Lessons learned from my experience…
• The First 90 days
• Identify opportunities for elevated collaboration and partnership:
Events, intelligence, GSOC, investigations, technology, specialist
partners – maintain long-term – avoid silos
• Define how you will leverage technology to support your operations
• Be aware of and guide the programs image. This is more important
than people think.
• Develop and implement threat management/intel support
• Define and execute on financial plan and requirements
• Deliver a 90-day update and identify how to move into a cycle of
continuous improvement. Audit, performance management, etc
• Answer the question – What comes next?
• Implement a training plan
14. The Corporate Eco-system
• Building strategic alliances
• Key Stakeholders
• Partners
• Clients
• Consistent engagement
15. The Principal
• Setting and managing expectations
• Recommendations for program enhancements
• Communicating relevant and timely information
• Provide protective services as required
16. Executive Administrative Assistant
• Primary partner/client for daily support planning
• Primary partner/client for trip and event planning
• Partner/client for program improvement
• Communications with Principal and others
17. Intel and Investigations
• Partners for threat assessment and management
• Monitoring risk profiles
• Incident management (stalkers, POI’s, BOLO’s)
• Travel risk assessments
18. Operations Center
• Daily communications and real time intel
• Tracking and reporting on principal movements
• Monitoring of cameras and alarms (office/Home)
19. Physical Security Operations
• Partner for securing the principal while at work
• Tabletops and drills
• Partner for external VIP visits
20. Estate Management
• Partner for residential security
• Personal schedule information
• Residential event support
• Staff screening and backgrounds
28. Resourcefulness
Even the best procedures are tested by non-standard
situations. If there is confusion, the executive
protection agent is the one everyone looks to, to make
it all good again.
29. Resilience
Resilient agents are the ones who cope with adversity
and change and make it look effortless
Helplessness is never an option!
30. Professional Commitment
Good executive protection agents realize that the
security, privacy and productivity of the principal comes
first, and they supersede their own needs.
It is not about you!
35. Socially Skilled
The best agents are born networkers who lay the
groundwork of solid connections everywhere from the
C-Suite to the hotel kitchen.
36. Empathic
Empathic agents pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues
that express and individual personality and corporate
culture.
Controlled empathy is key…