And Now the Executive Protection Rain Makers

The term “Rain Maker” refers to a person who is highly effective at generating new business, clients, or revenue for a company or firm.? A Rain Maker is accomplished at recognizing opportunities and exploiting them for personal gain.?

Following the tragic murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel in New York City, the rise in corporate concern for executives and their protection has been overwhelming.? Risk, Vulnerability, and Threat Assessments are being shelved, for the immediacy of C-Suite executives feeling safe.?? Even outside of the Financial Services and Insurance industries, the reverberation of this incident has brought personal safety forefront in the thoughts of those who guide and represent our nation’s leading corporations.?

For most corporate EP teams, this tragic incident has changed little.? Established EP teams continue to provide daily security for corporate leaders by consistently delivering exceptional protective coverage. Executive protection professionals maintain a stable operational approach to ensure that strategic goals, such as deterrence and overall security, are not compromised. ??These teams are riding out this storm through consistent and effective protection deliverables. ?

Outside of these corporate teams are companies that have relied on loosely organized or sporadically utilized close protection coverage.? This protection is sometimes provided at the discretion and choosing of those being protected.? While protection is often seen initially as a personal inconvenience by many protectees, it eventually becomes a recognized necessity. Executives with dedicated EP teams understand that the logistical support, time savings, and cost efficiency they provide are essential for successful business operations.

In the immediate aftermath of the New York shooting, some executives have requested contract security companies to supply “armed” support where they previously had none.? The impression that armed security could deter an armed threat is an oversimplification of the overall protective methodology of executive protection. ?You can’t tell from the advertising for EP services though.? ?The gun culture is in full swing this holiday season, even suggesting that CEOs should arm themselves.? ?

EP Rain Makers have also been making their rounds in force.? If you’re on LinkedIn or any other social media platform, you can’t help but notice the rise in Executive Protection, Intelligence Services, and EP Training “Master Class” advertising and resources.? Some of this marketing infers the products being offered could have stopped the attack.? Rain Makers know this isn’t true but certainly want to cash in on the public’s rush to procure protection services.? As they say in another unregulated industry, $20 is $20.? Even within professional circles, simple benchmarking questions receive numerous “Let’s talk offline about how I can help you” business pitches. ?Rain Makers rarely do “subtle.”? ??

While this murder will be analyzed and dissected for many years, the immediate lessons learned have been the flood to secure protective services by corporate leaders and the EP market's willingness to take advantage of that need.? Will it prevent another attack? Probably not, unless corporations go beyond short-term close protection measures and invest in dedicated, reliable executive protection programs. Whether the interest in executive protection endures remains to be seen, but for now, the market is rife with EP "snake oil" salesmen and Rain Makers eager to capitalize on the trend.