Episodes

Chuck Mclaughlin of the McLaughlin Investigative Group, is a mainstay in the greater Boston investigative community. He has been in business since 1990 and focuses on international business investigations. Chuck is a past President of the World Association of Detectives and we cover a wide range of subjects including international investigations and the current state of the investigative / business community. Here's a hint business is back! Mclaughlin Investigative Group https://bit.ly/3hfOJuS

Yin and Phil Johnson of JJ Associates International have been the mainstays of International Investigations-Business Due Diligence for many years. In this episode we cover general business conditions internationally (here's a hint things are ramping up) and the differences in private investigation laws in the European Union. Believe it or not, U.S. based investigators actually have access to more data, compared with our European counterparts, at least for now! Please share this episode! Please s...

1. Ditch the traditional office, you simply don't need the commitment anymore. 2. Success- Success presents it own problems, don't let it swamp your growing business. 3. Cash Flow- Cash Flow over profits Boom You're Welcome! Pursuit Magazine "The Future of Work" by Kim Green https://bit.ly/2QRnziF Da Vinci Virtual Offices https://bit.ly/3vjOu5y Regus Virtual Offices https://bit.ly/3gCWQkJ

I once conducted the unintentional experiment of working for 40 straight days, this ended with predicable results. Do you push the envelope when it comes to work? You might not even realize the business is running you, rather than the other way around. Is it even possible to balance home and case work? Listen to this episode, you know you need to get a handle on this crucial aspect of your business. You can't serve from an empty vessel. Here is a great article from Forbes on work-life balance ht...

Business professionalism is severely lacking in our industry-there I said it. I know we all see it, but what is to be done about it. The reputation of private investigators in society is in a bad way. Wearing a suit to court doesn't make you a professional. Integrity does, timelines does. When you decline a case that is outside of your expertise, when you need the money, that makes you a professional. When you tell your potential client that their desired case outcome is out of reach, unrealisti...

You've hit a milestone, the business you dreamed about is so busy you need to hire your first employee! Take a moment to acknowledge that. Then focus on your first hire, this is a critical step in the development of your business. What position would you fill first and why? Let's take a look at which of your pain points needs to be alleviated first. We've narrowed the categories to three areas of immediate need. You need to hire; an administrative professional, a salesperson or another investiga...

The characteristics of successful private investigators in the twenty-first century run wholly contrary to the values, infused into citizens by our Christian-Judeo society. Society tells us, mind your own business and don't stare, it reminds us to be truthful in all things. We, as investigative agency owners ask our investigative staff to violate all of the standard societal practices in their first week! So what does the right candidate need to be successful in a world that is full of deception...

The company you founded is drowning in work (that's a good thing) you've heard others in the industry contract out investigations when busy, Is this the solution for you? Listen to this episode if you are on the fence (and you should be). You really have to consider a number of factors for this relationship to work properly. Subcontracting may give you reasons to pause. Here is an excellent article from Pursuit Magazine on subcontracting by Richard Brooks, check it out! https://bit.ly/3qMEIGr

This episode could be entitled battle of the accents! Boston v New York! It is PI Union's mission is to bring the upper echelon of the investigative industry to your earbuds each week. Eddie Cruz is a decorated NYPD undercover detective turned surveillance investigator. Have you wondered, Is it better to be burned or suffer the loss of your subject? We talk all things surveillance, GPS Trackers, Go Bags and more. If you like surveillance you'll love this interview. Please check out Eddie's books...

What do your clients expect of you? Why do they hire a PI in the first place? When will courts get back to normal? What's the hold up! Well, jury safety for one. Melanie Soloman covers all of this and more. Melanie went to Harvard University and then on to Massachusetts School Of Law. She manages a busy law practice in Milford, Massachusetts. Melanie focuses on Criminal Law, Family Law and Personal Injury work. Here is a link to the law practice. You don't want to miss this episode! https://bit....

Investigative reports, we hate them, but reports ARE the face of our investigative businesses. Period. Full stop. What voice will you use active or passive? What tense will you use? Whatever you choose, make it consistent, the hallmark of a bad report is confusion between tenses, its strangely disorientating. Reports are also a branding opportunity for your company, its your chance to hit a home run! I've provided some tips on effective report writing, Let me know what you think?

Steve Koenig has been at the forefront of the investigative industry for more than twenty years. I came across Steve's writing in Pursuit Magazine, many years ago. Steve has a personalized writing style that makes it feel like you are the sole recipient of his communication. His articles on surveillance and the industry as a whole are exceptional. Steve is founder and past president of the Nebraska Association of Licensed Private Investigators. I wanted to ask if there is a direct business benef...

Scott Fulmer of Intermountain PI is widely known as a leader in the investigative community, He is also considered the preeminent private investigator in Utah and the surrounding region. Scott started an investigations podcast during the infancy of podcasting. We discussed podcasting as a revenue enhancer and the mediums ability to amplify community standing. Scott is also a published author. He wrote "Confessions of a PI, My Thirty Years Investigating Cheaters, Frauds, Missing Persons and Crook...

Brian Willingham writes what Hal Humphreys of Pursuit Magazine considers to be the best investigative blog today. Brian delineates his journey in blogging and investigations in this episode. Does blogging provide a business benefit? Well, he IS on PI Union...right? You don't want to miss this episode! Here is a link to Brian's blog https://bit.ly/3arw0an Brian's answer to what's the best business or investigations book you've read? Rework by J.Fried https://amzn.to/3jciGe3 Barry's response Bus...

Welcome to the introductory episode of PI Union, the Intersection of Investigation and Business. In this short episode our concept to professionalize and provide a sense of community to the investigative industry will be outlined. I've long believed that as investigators we work in functional silos, that inhibit the forming of a more cohesive investigative community. In the subsequent episodes you will hear from industry thought leaders and be able to directly incorporate their business advice i...