[Short Circuit] Personal and Professional Branding for Protectors | Mark Six James

This week, in another episode of Short Circuit, Elijah is joined
by Mark James, the founder of Panther Protection Services where
they talk about the importance of personal and professional
branding.


But why should protectors care about branding? Why does it even
matter in our line of work? As Mark so aptly puts it: 


“It matters because you are your brand. People's
impression of your brand is the first impression that they get of
you.”


So, whether you are an individual protector or a company owner,
listen in to this week’s show to hear what your brand
communicates about you and your professional reputation.


 


Topics discussed include:


The different types of branding that matters to working
protectors and industry operators and the myth that branding
means marketing. 

What happens if your agency brand and client brand aren't in
alignment? How do we deal with that?

What kinds of due diligence checks should you conduct when
looking to take on a new client or principal? 

What do you do when the money is good, but the client or
principal just isn’t heeding your advice as the person charged
with their protection? 

Why it’s a mistake to rely on hope when you first start out
in the industry. 

Overcoming the professional stigma that can attach to a
protector when he or she has a separation in their job or role
protecting their principal.

Mark’s advice for protectors who are trying to get that dream
client and how to go about doing that.



And much, much more!


More about Mark “Six” James


Mark is the Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection
Services, LLC. He is a seasoned Close Protection
Operator/Executive Protection Specialist with over 35 years of
firearms, martial arts, and celebrity/executive protection
experience. He is a former corporate executive, he got
started in the security and protection business by providing
firearms training to legislators, judicial members, and a number
of business executives. He later became the Chief Security
Officer and Personal Bodyguard for many of those same clients. He
has performed protective services in over 35 countries across 5
continents and regularly protects government officials, corporate
executives, entertainers as well as professional
athletes.    


Mark is also a member of the British Bodyguard Association, North
American Bodyguard Association, The Summit Group, The Academy of
High Threat Protective Studies, Anti-Terrorism Accreditation
Board (ATAB), honor graduate of the International Academy of
Executive Protection Agents, recipient of the prestigious Golden
Gun Award, honor graduate of ICON Services Celebrity and VIP
Training and Advanced Executive Protection Course, International
Close Quarters Protection Operators Association, International
Association of Close Quarter Combat Specialist, Kuroshi-Do
Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and the Sikaron Karate Federation
where he holds the rank of 3rd Dan and the Kenpotaijeetsu RB
MMA where he also holds the rank of 3rd Dan. He received his
Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations from Florida
A&M University.


As a Firearms and Combatives instructor, Mark provides Firearms
and Combatives training to a number of bodyguard training
academies, security companies, executive protection agencies, law
enforcement officers as well as private citizens.


Mark is also an internationally published author, keynote
speaker, security consultant to educational institutions and
frequent contributor to a number of print, broadcast and online
media, and the author of a number of security, firearm, and
protection publications, including: