Feral Jundi

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Industry Talk: The UNWG is Coming to the US

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 10:52 PM

    Click on this link to see what Doug Brooks from the IPOA said in the comments section. (I though it was funny)Anyways, I welcome the UNWG to the US and hope they have a good time. –Matt

——————————————————————

Mercenaries Organized in United States to be Examined by United Nations Working Group

July 19, 5:34

Lawrence Gist – LA County Foreign Policy Examiner

The United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination will carry out an official visit to the United States of America from July 20 to August 3, 2009.

“This visit comes at a moment where, I believe, the United States Government is seriously considering options to ensure adequate oversight and monitoring for private military and security companies (PMSCs) contracted by the United States government and operating abroad,” said the group’s Chairperson-Rapporteur, Shaista Shameem.

“It is crucial that the United States Government, as a major client of these companies, demonstrates its commitment to ensure full accountability of private military and security contractors for any possible violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,” added Shameem, who will be joined during the visit by José Luis Gomez del Prado, another member of the Working Group.

(more…)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Industry Talk: Security Firms Lobby for Tougher Rules

Filed under: Industry Talk — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 4:36 AM

   You know, I give Doug and the IPOA a lot of credit for the hard work they have done to get this industry on the right foot.  I certainly hope congress is listening, because if they can provide the teeth to a set of standards, then things like the Code of Conduct that the IPOA has been promoting all these years could be something that could be respected.

   I have also noticed all the companies that have signed on with the ISO 9000 stuff in recent years.  That is great that they are getting that kind of certification, but I always look to the results of such things.  What really matters in all of this, is customer satisfaction and service.  That and taking care of your people–which I think is vital if you want your customers satisfied. (pissed off employees and contractors tend to pay it forward on to the customer in lots of poisonous ways) Together with happy employees and happy customers, and an application of Kaizen to your company, and the contracts will continue to come in.

(more…)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Podcasts: COR Interviews Doug Brooks of IPOA, Discusses Industry Regulation

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Kaizen: New IPOA Code of Conduct 12 for Private Contractors Ratified

Filed under: Industry Talk,Kaizen,Publications — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 6:50 PM

   Excellent news, and congrats to Doug and his group for all the hard work they have put into this over the years.  I also love the fact that the document is always being improved upon. (this is version 12!)  That is pure Kaizen.  –Matt

—————————————————————— 

New IPOA Code of Conduct for Private Contractors Ratified

Thu Mar 5, 12:46 pm ET

WASHINGTON, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — IPOA is pleased to announce that the 12th version of its Code of Conduct was ratified by its 53 member companies and is now in effect.

IPOA is the premier industry association for companies operating in conflict, post-conflict and disaster relief environments. Member companies provide vital services in support of the international community in Afghanistan, Darfur, Haiti, Iraq and other critical global efforts.

The Code of Conduct is central to membership of IPOA. The international companies that form IPOA pledge to uphold the standards and ethics of the Code of Conduct and accede to review by the IPOA Standards Committee. This vehicle of corporate responsibility and industry self-oversight ensures that IPOA member companies are recognized internationally for their commitment to standards and ethics.

(more…)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Podcasts: Combat Operator Radio Interviews Doug Brooks, CEO of IPOA

Filed under: Podcasts — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 3:14 PM

   This was a great interview between Jake and Doug Brooks of IPOA.  The scope of the conversation was outstanding, and both talked a lot about the role of contractors in today’s wars and peace and stability operations.  They even discussed the new administration and what the feeling in Washington DC is about the industry. 

   As for Doug’s predictions–more peace and stability related operations contracts in Africa. Hillary Clinton’s tone will be changing over time, because of the reality of the situation on the ground in places like Iraq.(she was pretty negative on contractors during her Presidential campaign) That contracts in the future will be more about working with local nationals and that to be competitive in the industry, you must show some proficiency working with local nationals.(which in the scope of the industry, is nothing new)   

   It was a great little podcast at about 27 minutes, and it was a treat to listen and learn a little from these two.  Also, as a heads up, Eeben Barlow of Executive Outcomes fame will be on Combat Operator Radio on January 29, 2009.  Be sure to check it out.  –Matt

——————————————————————

Listen Here 

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress