The “how” ultimately is not that important, but here you are and we know that there aren’t a ton of resources or guides to help you.
1) Know your Contract
As a new security manager, it is crucial to read, analyze, and understand your contract in order to recognize and deliver the type of service that the client expects. Pay attention to details like Start Date and Expiry Date, Service Hours, Pay Rate, and Bill Rate, Penalties, duties and expectations, and other related items. Think about new ways of delivering on the contracted promise – understand that not every client wears “only” the security hat, and that there are opportunities to do more, do better, and be smarter.
2) Customize Your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
As a new security manager, it is crucial to understand your client’s needs. Once the client’s needs are determined, it is your job to create an SOP document that is customized per site, updated regularly, and that the site has a digital and physical copy of the document and that is stored securely. Assign the amendment of the document to a single owner. The hard copy is a back up. Post orders should be electronic.
3) Respect Your Relationships
A lot of effort and time is put into getting clients, however, the same energy is not expended when it comes to nurturing and managing the partnership between you and your client. Make sure you take into consideration your client’s time, having face to face meetings, setting mutual goals, and communicating regularly. Remember to manage relationships between co-workers, guards and supervisors, senior management, and stakeholders.
4) Manage Your Brand
As a professional you have a brand, your company has a brand, and your clients have a brand. How you portray yourself is important, and understand that the type of online content, opinions, actions, thoughts that you put online, becomes permanent and people make decisions based on what they read online. So regardless of the social media platform (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat) understand that what you post online should be professional. Use these platforms for information, recruiting, and networking only.
5) Find a Mentor
In order to have a progressive flow in a career, you should seek out a mentor (or a few mentors) that will be able to guide you. Mistakes are natural, and as a new manager, it is inevitable that you will make some. Many resources are available to help you find your mentor like ASIS International, IFSEC, Linkedin Tools, and other security platforms. Your guards will look up to you for mentorship, so always be open to repay the favour. Be a role model.
6) Keep Learning
Being a lifelong learner is a quest that you should be on. You are at the intersection of business, management, and security and all three can always be upgraded. There are multiple professional designations that you can add to your tool box. Consider adding the following – CPP, APP, CRM, CFE, PSP, and CISSP. Also read and publish or become a Security Matter Expert. Try to stay ahead of the trend.
7) Network
Sales folks have a mantra – Always Be Closing (ABC). Influencers or evangelists have another one – Always be Networking (ABN) or Always be Learning (ABL). When you go to an event, be sure to network. Become a member of an industry association, attend conferences, have an elevator pitch, and keep your resume up to date so you are always prepared for opportunities. When done properly – networking can potentially help you get a job faster, introduce you to professionals inside and outside your industry, and provide you with a competitive edge at every stage of your career.
8) Manage Your Time
Be sure to prioritize your tasks, plan in advance, be strategic, balance your life and career, and use technology that works for you like diaries, journals, phone calendars, Gmail calendar, and notepad reminders.
9) Have a Vision
You are on a once-in-a-lifetime ride. It is important to know who you are and know your values. Your plan should be short, medium, and long term. Choosing time horizons is personal. Have a 1-2-3-4-5 year plan – whatever works and aligns with your goals. The idea is to keep learning, and know who you are. Sometimes say no, and don’t be afraid to say no. Always have a vision.
10) Develop Soft Skills
With all the planning, learning, and certifying, it is important not to forget about developing your soft skills. Empathy, listening, creativity, problem-solving, gratitude, and reliability are all part of being a new security manager. The insight and motivation can come from multiple sources but rely on your spidey senses too. Management skills are key to your overall success, so any reading that you do on how to manage people, situations, and other topics, is important.
About TrackTik
TrackTik was founded in 2013 and quickly established itself as a market leader with the mission to build better software so its clients can run smarter businesses. TrackTik’s AI-driven technology enables security organizations to connect frontline staff, back office management, and their clients to drive improved operational efficiency, and data insights. TrackTik helps security professionals make automated, data-driven decisions with its cloud-based seamless approach to system connectivity. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with offices in the United Kingdom and Europe, TrackTik offers four integrated suites of tools – Security Operations for Guarding, Back Office Management, Mobile Patrol and Dispatch, and Business Intelligence & Reporting Analytics, to help security service companies follow the progression of guards, reduce manual tasks, lower costs, and demonstrate value.