" Too Overt "

[SH4DOW]

As it's silly season on the circuit, I haven't posted on here for a while... and unfortunately it's a 'grumble' that bought me back on this morning...

I'm sure there are a few guys and girls who've been around Door 3 of Harrods recently... yep, me too. There's been a procession of the most exotic sports cars - Jimmy Choos and Burkas - and the odd incident to liven things up.

Yesterday a British CP team assaulted middle-aged civilian who promptly returned with an Armed Police Officer.

Last night a CP team with a stretch S-Class pulled up on my rear bumper. The Diplomatic plate on our tail-gate didn't register to them - neither did failing to accommodate enough space for their departure...

Having boxed themselves in and unwilling to admit making such a grave error - said CP's barked orders in my direction to 'move-it!

- Ooooops !

Getting all 'overt' with fellow operatives does you no favors!
Whatever credibility you may think you had was lost last night.

It's a very rare case where someone else's Principal may be more important than your own. Understanding who your client is and where they stand in their own countries 'pecking-order' is extremely important - you could cause unnecessary embarrassment for your client by offending someone 'above' them . Considering that my Principal has only one person above him on 'that ladder' - I guess I win this 'pissing' contest too ( sorry - shallow comment ).

The simple message is this: Greet your fellow workers with mutual respect. Admit your mistakes with a smile and hope your new friends will see the funny side and accommodate you. Aspire to be like those who have the credentials to command a bigger paypacket.

- just because our clients don't like each other - resist the temptation to adopt the same attitude...

" Too Overt - Turn The Volume Down "

[mts]

Sounds like they thought they were still on route Irish...

m

[Carl Dowd]

You make some pertinent points SH4DOW and I have always lived to the ethos of 'Treating those how one would like to be treated one's self'

I also learnt this lesson in business many moons ago from my 'Old Man'

"Treat today's receptionist with respect because tomorrow they may be the Chief Exceutive"

[Rich H]

Well said Shadow.

Fortunately, the Op I'm involved in is that low profile no one would know that the Principal is indeed a Principal. The team are that blended in that on appearance they are shoppers like everyone around them.

Getting in a battle of bumper cars with taxis or bikers, beeping your horn or pushing through doorways in Harrods giving it the 'Big I am' is detriment to the entire professionalism of the team but more importantly detrimentally affects the level of security to your Boss and the image of the Boss.

If there are amateur teams out there ignorance is the key with a little proactiveness in taking their carpark space.

[praetorian550]

This years poor standards are being commented upon by client after client- companies im linked with have picked up 5 mid season contracts due to previous suppliers being dismissed. That figure is unprecedented for a whole season let alone at the official 'mid' season point.

[hippy]

Oh dear, all too familar. Many years ago, whilst still in the mob I spent some time attached to the NATO Office of Security and spent some of that time on the Sec Gen's team.. On a visit to Paris, I was waiting, along with other team members, local police (outriders, protection officers etc) when some meat head in an ill-fitting suit (which offended me from the start) came out of the hotel and told me to "to get those f#@king cars shifted" as his principal was about to depart from the hotel.. I looked round at the various members of local 'officaldom' the diplomatic plated cars and said "Er, are you sure?" His reply....
"Just shift em mush"

Hmm... "Who's your principal?" I asked "President of the USA? French Premier?"
"NO" replies meathead.. "Its ......... " (names some actor)

So, having had enough I 'flashed the badge' and told him to Foxtrot Oscar before I got one of my French collegues to run him in on charges of crimes against tailoring...

This meathead was, to my shame... A Brit!

[praetorian550]

And thats another thing that makes me mad.............blokes who turn up in green suits or black suits and black ties -after a night on the door! or even worse brown suits and homer simpson ties!!!!
WHO THE F%@> trains these people? invest in a plain blue suit- a tailored one is £650 it comes with 2 sets of trouser and will last forever a couple of blue /yellow ties some GOOD shirts and some plain black shoes oh and a blazer and slacks (sound like my dad!!).

Then pop down M&S and by some manners and a can do attitude after all this isnt any kind of job its a bloody M&S kind of PROFESSION

[SH4DOW]

Oh the joy of Mobile Internet.... just a quickie

Thanks for all the positive feedback guys!

We're not all 'suited n booted' out here and at first glance I may appear to be some 'pretty-boy' (ahem) walking down the road with my buddy...

The 'Men In black' are out here shoving people around and raising temperatures as the hours pass by...

If you are an authority within your team / group, pass the word around to loosen the top button and cool down. I've instructed my team to lead by example ( not that they need reminding) - hopefully someone out there will recognise the value in our behavior and adjust accordingly.

[SH4DOW]

P.S.

I think M&S are all out of BLACK.... thank God!!!

Maybe that Suzy & Trina or whatever they're called will do a slot on 'What Not To Wear' Celebrity CP Show...

Watch it guys - those TV cameras are documenting you !

[praetorian550]

Someones got to! I met a client who was at a cafe, with his loose cover provided by me. and his friend who also had BGs- loose term- they looked like rejects from a Pikey camp all looked like a cartoon stereotype- knobs. Needles to say that gentleman and his family are now better served by some better attired operators - in low profile clothes as opposed to suits. Id hate to see what his previous bunch would have turned up in had they been given the low profile clothing instruction. .... the village people had nothing on this lot.