The Covert Investigator

Professional Burnout effects individuals in every role and it can lead to poor decisions, depression, and good people leaving roles that they were meant to fill. But what does it mean for professional investigators? And, what can you do when you start to feel burnt out? Today Tanner opens up about burnout and talks about how it effected him during COVID.  Email the show  at rutledgepi@gmail.com Find me at: www.rutledgepi.com Westbrook missing info: https://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

John A. Hoda is the owner of Hoda investigations and has decades of experience owning and operating a successful PI business. He s the host of My Favorite Detective Stories and the up coming series How to Rocket You Private Investigation Business. Mr. Hoda coaches and mentors investigators across the county and is coming on today to share helpful tips and talk about how a good business coach works to build your business. Find john at www.thepicoach.com for a free 30 minute consultation. Listeners of the show can use the promo CoachTanner for an additional 30 minutes. That's a full hour with a coach to talk about your business. Hire Hoda Investigations at: https://www.hodainvestigations.com/ Find John Hoda's book "How to Rocket Your Private Investigation Business here:https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Your-Private-Investigation-Business-ebook/dp/B07QQNDXSF/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3BYRWXPFQAZBH&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+rocket+your+private+investigation&qid=1587328939&sprefix=rocket+your+private%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-2 Check out his fiction Odessa on the Delaware: https://www.amazon.com/Odessa-Delaware-Introducing-Agent-Marsha/dp/1795070544/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=odessa+on+the+delaware&qid=1587329002&sr=8-2 Email the show  at rutledgepi@gmail.com Find me at: www.rutledgepi.com Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

When working domestic client's I've found these key policies to be a huge help in protecting myself, my firm, and my client. Find me at: www.RutledgePi.com  email me at: rutledgepi@gmail.com  Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

The slowdown caused by Covid-19 has been devastating for several businesses. But, It brings a unique opportunity to focus on our health and fitness. Here are a few resources I've found to help get on and stay on track during the lock-down. Email me at rutledgepi@gmail.com Find me at RutledgePI.com Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook  Check out the recipes at budgetbytes.com Track your food with https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ get meal ideas at https://whole30.com/ Read the Badass Body diet at https://www.amazon.com/Badass-Body-Diet-Breakthrough-Workout/dp/0062390961 Request a fitness consultation and personalized fitness plan at https://hurdlefitness.trainerize.com/contact.aspx

During this down time it's important to keep busy, not only on our businesses but on ourselves as well. Here is a list of my favorite resources for private investigators to learn new skill and grow their businesses. www.RutledgePi.com  Emaile the show at rutledgepi@gmail.com  Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

Thanks so much for tuning in. We had some issues with this week's episode. I'll try to get it out later this week. But, well will defiantly be back Monday the 30th.

The Coronavirus scare has more and more people staying in. Cities are closing doors, canceling events, and urging people to stay home. Surveillance investigators are having more and more cases canceled or put on hold. Here is what I'm doing to stabilize my company and my advice for you. www.RutledgePi.com rutledgepi@gmail.com Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

Intake calls are the first real interaction you personally have with prospects, Make them count. www.RutledgePi.com rutledgepi@gmail.com Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

Today's episodes goes over strategies for eating healthy when your way from home and suffering through those long days in the field. https://www.rutledgepi.com   Body Building Marco Calculator:  https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/macronutrients_calculator.htm Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook Look for the My Fitness App by Under Armor in your provider's app store.

The Elevator speech and 2 minute pitch are two of the most vital pieces of a solid sales strategy. A good pitch can set up and amazing professional relationship and a poorly executed one can devastate your bottom line. www.RutledgePi.com Small Message Big Impact by Terri Sjodin: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Message-Big-Impact-Elevator/dp/1591845483/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KXMAYYFXFIRS&keywords=small+message+big+impact&qid=1582168234&sprefix=small+message+%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-1 Westbrook Missing poster: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

As an investigator, how do you get your work in front of new attorney clients? In this episode, we go over how to network, warm up cold calls, and land new paying law firm clients. www.Rutledgepi.com  email me at rutledgepi@gmail.com  Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

On this episode Tanner recaps the past year and the changes in his personal life and business. We also kick off our series on sales with prospecting. www.Rutledgepi.com email me at rutledgepi@gmail.com Westbrook missing info: http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

Venassure is a vendor management platform that links insurance professionals to qualified professional investigators. CEO Leonard Acquaye joins me today to discuss what exactly this means for local PIs. Link to Venassure www.venassure.com Link to Westbrook missing poster. http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1371690/1#.Xa4WFyKpbNY.facebook

Today I talk about where I've been for the past few months and the state of the industry in Tennessee.

Today we talk about how to take care of yourself on the road and how to take control of your schedule so your life doesn't get away from you.  Helpful apps: My Fitness Pal 30 Day fitness Challenge Fitness Buddy Home Workouts - No Equipment 

On this episode we discuss Penetration Pricing and Price Skimming strategies for PI competencies and conclude out series on pricing. 

Today we talk about competitive and value based pricing strategies for your business. We also look at how to improve the perceived value for your PI business.

On this episode, I begin our discussion on pricing strategies for private investigators. How to price services is an issue every PI I know has had an issue with, including myself. We start by taking a look at a common used method of pricing commodity services, Cost Plus Markup, and lay the groundwork for some more complex strategies coming up in later episodes.  Direct Cost + Indirect Cost = Cost of Service Total Revenue - Cost of Service = Gross Profit Gross Profit/(Revenue x 100) = Gross Margin Indirect Costs/Gross Margin = Breaking Even Apply Markups based on profit goals divided by units sold

On this episode we looks at pretexting as an investigative tool and talk about some of the things you should consider before using it.

In this episode I fill you guys in on who I am and give a brief overview of the industry. We talk about the different kinds of investigative work and I tell a few case stories.