What you should know

Some readers of these pages are probably confronted for the first time with the need to think about calling in a professional investigator for their enterprise. This then would seem a good opportunity to explain some general facts about the detective business:
A "private eye" who casually waves his "ID license" (which anyway is not an official permit) to open all doors only exists on television. Anyone who fancies their chances can nowadays go along to the trade supervision office, register a detective business and print out their own ID card. Potential clients who want to ward off damage to their companies are therefore well advised to be very critical when selecting an agency.
In contrast to many of its competitors, HABIGHORST KG quite rightly refers to itself as a purely corporate investigation agency because the only clients it accepts are companies which are entered in the register of companies; there are no exceptions to this rule. In addition, the problems to be solved must be connected to business. We categorically refuse to watch a cheating spouse or to find the proverbial "vicar's dog".
Once, some 20 years ago, we were taken to court by a competitor (who was presumably under-worked), who demanded that we desist from making our allegedly misleading promotional claim that we were one of only 3 purely corporate investigation agencies in Germany at that time. The opponent lost the case, the court found that the aforesaid claim was accurate.
"Stick to what you know" without any ifs & buts has always been our watchword. We follow the advice of a management guru who recommends deploying the available skills in wedge form. We do not encumber ourselves with unhelpful ballast. This means that we concern ourselves solely with investigations and observations, incl. the deployment of technology and security analyses, for companies. We neither monitor construction sites, nor do we provide store detectives, watchmen or supposed personal bodyguards.
Well-trained personnel are a must, particularly in the sensitive spheres in which we operate. That applies not only to the investigators and observers, but also to the technicians. An electrician who once installed a home video system is certainly not predestined to design, build and install complex surveillance equipment, to say nothing of the supposed specialists who try to find bugs with a pseudo debugging case.
The fact is that, even today, there are very few companies in Germany operating in our business which are as specialised as ourselves and which can draw on decades of experience. A means of recognising such specialists can be that they do not promote themselves with large-scale advertisements in the various print media (phone directories, "Yellow Pages" etc.) – with the exception of small one-liners in stand-alone cases. This is to deliberately avoid addressing private clients and attracting unwanted attention. It is of course unfortunate that one may unintentionally appear impolite by turning down private commissions, despite lucrative offers, due to a lack of interest in the case. It is also unfortunate nowadays that all kinds of providers refer to themselves as "corporate investigation agencies". It can be like finding a needle in a haystack for business clients. There are store detectives who wake up one morning and feel themselves destined for a higher calling, or security firms who realise that a night watchman who mutates into a "corporate investigator" brings in more revenue while the costs remain the same. Even "normal" detective agencies which cannot earn sufficient money from their accustomed private business due to the changed legal and social conditions (divorce, alimony etc.) suddenly conjure up a "special department for corporate crime" or some other impressive-sounding phrasings.
The only thing that many of these self-named experts know about "enterprise" is that it was a star ship commanded by Capt. James T. Kirk. Their knowledge of German is often likewise scant (how can anyone conduct finely nuanced investigations when these skills are lacking, how do the reports read, what will the courts make of them?). Balance sheets are "double Dutch", common business processes (sales, accounting etc.) are also unknown, likewise the common corporate forms. The term "interweaving" is thus probably thought to have something to do with basketry.

How can potential clients make sure that they do not become the next victims of such charlatans? In the first place: act in same way you would when entering into any other new business relationship. A simple trade reference (about which one can form one’s own opinion) at least shows how old the business is and whether it was financially stable in the past. You might be surprised how many "super detectives" are top of the list of priorities for the local bailiffs. For instance, there is an English Limited (Ltd.) company in the Frankfurt area with the huge liability capital of €100 (the limited partner's interest is likewise a princely €100), which boasts of its many branches at home and abroad – all with TÜV certification of course – and even more full-time employees, who are naturally ZAD registered. Some potential clients might think they have found a reliable partner to look after their interests. Yet on closer inspection, it becomes apparent that nothing, really nothing, is what it seems. The "headquarters“ in England is an accommodation address and the German "owner" (= spiritus rector), constantly on the run from his creditors, changes his place of residence as often as other people change their socks. A normal trade reference shows how often the "serious head detective" has already submitted a declaration in lieu of an oath (formerly "affidavit“) and is therefore as poor as the proverbial church mouse. Now there is generally nothing inherently reprehensible in being financially desolate. It nevertheless becomes underhand at the moment that financial obligations are entered into fraudulently and creditors are subsequently left sitting on bad debts. Given such circumstances, what are the chances that a client will not be hoodwinked in the same way? Is someone who is fighting for financial survival the right partner to receive and process confidential data and internal matters of yours? Misuse must then be expected. As the saying goes; one should not set the wolf to guard the sheep!
Secondly, you should also trust your own intelligence, experience and your knowledge and skills as a manager. A longer conversation with the provider should show whether you are speaking the same language, are communicating on the same wave length, whether your interlocutor understands the problem painted by you in the first place and is able to come to terms with it intellectually. No detective can solve problems by consulting a crystal ball, sadly miracles do not happen either as, unfortunately, neither we nor our recognised competitors can call on the services of James Bond. Therefore, what is needed are analytic skills, experience and informal contacts, allied to well-founded expertise in the field. A stereotype promise of "we'll take care of it" is not enough, you should rather expect tangible approaches to solve the problem. These should be logically comprehensible for anyone with sufficient intelligence and experience and able to be reviewed for their likelihood of success. As an aside, if a consultant asks for a couple of days to consider complex problems, this is not necessarily a sign of incompetence. On the contrary, it can rather be imagined that extensive thought will be given to the matter in order to come up with the best possible solution.
Lastly, a written offer – sensibly formulated – ought to be obligatory.
After the order has been issued, professionals will furthermore submit detailed written reports on a regular basis (daily reports are essential for observations and infiltrations), after all, they have nothing to hide. They will also keep up a constant dialogue with you in order to discuss new findings and to mutually agree on further action.
At this point a heartfelt plea, also on behalf of our reputable competitors: in your own interests, when you commission a detective agency, keep it a strict secret! Do not involve even the closest members of staff unless it is absolutely unavoidable for implementing the planned strategy. Only too often have we heard from clients that the secret has also been entrusted to Mr X or Ms Y who has "complete integrity". We subsequently no longer need to wonder why confidential matters do the rounds in the company. It is frequently forgotten that information is passed on both knowingly and unknowingly. Even the most trustworthy people often unwittingly pass on information because they fail to see the importance of the details for the whole picture, are not sufficiently affected or carelessly let slip some ill-considered remarks after their second beer.
Remember: The more people who know what is going on, the more likely it is that something will leak out. Do not torpedo your own success!

In conclusion: the question can be mulled over endlessly and what seems like the cheapest offer might seem to be the top priority – yet if you had toothache, you would most likely seek out a good dentist and not call in the plumber. Why then should less care be taken in selecting a partner when the business is being harmed and assistance needs to be sought to prevent or minimise the damage? It is known that everyone is master of his own fortune!

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