Editor’s note: Onyokoko Nyore Samuel, the ZENITHBLOG.com partner blogger, explains ten simple tips to become a good security consultant.
Samuel is blogger and poet.
He offers tips and writes articles on security matters. You can get in touch with him through his email: onyokokosamuel@yahoo.com or visit his blog: http://ift.tt/2idL1mD or phone number: 08022635575
More details in ZENITHBLOG.com’s step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.
The consulting business is becoming the ideal thing for a lot of people. Some people see it as a quick means to acquire wealth not minding the fact that it takes lots of dedication and hard work to be seen, heard and respected in that field.
The consulting business is very broad and diverse. Therefore, to be a consultant in any particular field be it in medicine, engineering, information technology (IT), education, entrepreneurship, catering, writing, etc. doesn’t take weeks or months. To be a respected figure in consulting requires lots of research work and experiences behind it.
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Who is a consultant?
According to Wikipedia, a consultant (from Latin: consultare“to deliberate”) is a professional who provides expert advice in a particular area such as security (electronic or physical), ,management, education, accountancy, law, human resources, marketing (and public relations), finance, engineering, science or any of many other specialized fields.
Security personnel being battle ready for crime protection
I’ll define a consultant as an individual who gives professional advice and opinions on any field he is specialised in be it in business, government establishments, individuals and corporate entities. He carries lots of weight behind him vis-a-vis his experiences and he is sometimes a respected figure too.
However, I’ll be discussing about an area in consulting called Security Consulting. A security consultant is an individual who provides services in the area of human protection and safety. He offers research services, gives advice on tactical and technical issues and renders support in certain areas of offensive and defensive security,
Security consulting is diverse and there are different services one can offer to earn income. There’re security guards services, body guards services, escort services, security kits manufacturing and supply, certified training schools for security managers and guards, industrial and corporate security, etc.
Information security is giving covert information to certain clients in government, the armed forces and the police. Whichever areas one wishes to specialise in can earn an individual a substantial sum of money.
Below are 10 ways to be a security consultant:
1. Attend professional schools and take professional courses
There are professional schools scattered all over the country that offer certificates upon completion of a professional course of study. Arming yourself with such certificate will give you an edge over others who don’t.
Moreover, it’ll equip you to be a confident and respect figure in your field. Clients like to know if you’re a member of a professional body or if you’ve a certificate to back up your claims. Nobody will put his money on someone who is an inept in his field.
Again, exams are conducted at certain points to test your knowledge gained over the duration of study. Coming tops in your class is a plus.
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2. Work for at least 3 years in a security firm
Gaining experience in a security guard company gives you the leverage and respect when you decided to dive into security consulting services. As you work, you begin to acquire experiences which you wouldn’t get if you haven’t worked before. While on the job, you see how things are done and subconsciously you pick them along the way.
3. Have a mentor
A mentor will help you navigate the challenges and failures you’ll encounter in your journey to becoming a security consultant. Again, a mentor will give you salient advice that will benefit you unlike when you’re doing it alone.
Having garnered lots of experiences and overcoming failures over the years of his professional or business journey, a mentor will be an invaluable asset to you in becoming a security consultant.
4. Use social media and the internet to source for clients
The social media is your
5. Invest in your look and dress
You’re address the way you dress. The first impression people have about you is how well you carry yourself and your appearance can tell if people will be willing to do business with you or not. Take time to invest in your appearance.
Buy clothes that represent and enhance your profession: suits, pants, shoes, perfumes, etc. and have a nice hair cut or for female, a nice hair-do. Your office should look organize and neat. Nobody will be willing to do business with an unkempt person; disorganize and lacks comportment.
6. Network with the right groups
You can’t operate your business in isolation. You need the right people to give you the right contacts. Attending conferences, seminars, professional get-together, etc will align you with the right people. Your business cards shouldn’t be a means to an end, but to get you the right clients. Your mentor can assist you through his contacts to get you jobs.
7. Humility can take you far
Arrogance is the downfall of a man. A man who refuses to bring down his ego will end up being a loner. But a man who humbles himself will be acceptable among kings. If you want to go far in your consultancy job, be ready to humble yourself and the sky will be your Eldorado.
8. Write articles and give talks on your area of profession
Writing articles will set you apart from others in your field. Still, writing books is an advantage. Give free consultancy to clients who can’t afford your services. You never know, they can introduce you to new clients you never can imagine. Leverage on membership of your professional associations to give talks and lectures on security issues.
9. Collaborate with foreign organizations to market your services
Foreign organizations affiliated to the security business can take your business to another level. Clients respect organizations with foreign backings because they see those foreign organizations as having integrity behind them.
Although it takes some time for those organizations to trust your level of integrity, you’ve to build your company to a level where bigger organizations will be willing to transact business with you. You can add it to your referrals.
10. Invest in books, journals and magazines
Having a stack of books on your field can boost your knowledge and make you a pro. A security consultant must be able to talk and make analysis about his area of expertise: that’s why you’re a consultant.
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You’ll be making yourself a mockery if a client comes to your office and you can’t give him his money’s worth. Subscribe to a quarterly or yearly magazine in your area of specialization and be in the know about meetings, conferences, workshops, etc. You can’t afford to be a novice while you call yourself a consultant.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of ZENITHBLOG.com.
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