In today’s world, where information is power, the need for private investigators has become increasingly prevalent. Whether you’re dealing with a personal issue like infidelity or a business matter such as corporate espionage, hiring a private investigator can be a crucial decision. Private investigators typically have a great deal of control over how their clients are billed for their services, but every investigation will be different and be associated with a myriad of costs. However, opting for a cheap private investigator might seem like a cost-effective choice, but it often leads to costly consequences in the long run.
A Cheap Private Investigator Will Cut Corners
When you hire a private investigator, you expect them to meticulously gather information and evidence on your behalf. However, a cheap private investigator often takes shortcuts to save time and money. These shortcuts come in many forms, whether it’s failing to perform a comprehensive search of all databases, or failing to spend an appropriate amount of time in the field. These shortcuts can result in crucial details being overlooked or omitted altogether. Investigations require attention to detail, and when corners are cut, you risk missing vital information that could make or break your case.
Information Will Not Be Cross-Referenced
A thorough investigation involves cross-referencing information from various sources to ensure its accuracy and reliability. A cheap private investigator may not have the resources or the commitment to carry out this crucial step. They might rely solely on a single source of information, which can be biased or incomplete. Without cross-referencing, you’re left with a skewed and potentially unreliable picture of the situation. When vetting private investigators, always inquire after the investigator’s cross-referencing procedures and what quality of databases they rely on in fact-finding.
A Cheap Private Investigator’s Reports May Be Incomplete
A comprehensive and well-documented report is the ultimate goal of any investigation. It should provide you with a clear and accurate understanding of the situation at hand. A cheap private investigator may produce rushed, incomplete, or poorly organized reports. These reports can leave you with more questions than answers and make it difficult to make informed decisions based on the findings. Some private investigators who boast comprehensive reports only go as far as to purchase reports from sites like TruthFinder and Intelius, which are available to the general public. Any private investigator worth the money will pull information from qualified sources like TransUnion’s TLOxp, which requires an industry-specific licensure or other perquisite.
Improper Field Tactics and Undercover Operations
The ultimate goal of hiring a private investigator is to make informed decisions based on the information they provide. When you hire a cheap investigator, you’re putting yourself at risk of making poor decisions because of the compromised quality of the investigation. Whether it’s in your personal life or business affairs, relying on incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to costly mistakes and potentially irreversible consequences.
Reputation and Legal Issues
Hiring a cheap private investigator can also harm your reputation and lead to legal troubles. If the investigator engages in unethical or illegal practices to cut costs, you could become complicit in their actions. This can damage your credibility and expose you to legal liabilities. Quality private investigators adhere to ethical and legal standards to protect both their clients and themselves.
Buying Peace of Mind
In the realm of private investigations, the old adage “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer. While it might be tempting to cut costs by hiring a cheap private investigator, the risks and consequences far outweigh the initial savings. Corners will be cut, information won’t be cross-referenced, and reports may be incomplete, all of which can lead to poor decision-making on your part. To ensure a thorough, reliable, and ethical investigation, it’s wise to invest in a reputable and experienced private investigator who can provide you with the quality information you need to make informed choices. Remember, the cost of a bad decision can far exceed the price of a quality investigator.
eDiscovery, or electronic discovery, is a type of investigation in which information technology is married to private investigation by means of locating digital information both online and offline. The information scraped during these investigations can range from databases to social media profiles, and with more forms of digital data becoming ubiquitous, the need for eDiscovery investigations is only expected to grow. Attorneys are constantly tasked with managing vast volumes of electronically stored information (ESI) during litigation, which can be a daunting and time-consuming process. This is where private investigators can prove to be invaluable allies.
Identifying Relevant Data Sources
One of the initial challenges attorneys face in eDiscovery investigations is identifying the pertinent sources of electronic data. Private investigators can help attorneys locate and categorize these sources effectively. By conducting comprehensive investigations and interviews, they can pinpoint potential custodians of relevant information, including witnesses, employees, or third-party entities. This ensures that no stone is left unturned in the search for electronic evidence.
Preserving Evidence in eDiscovery Investigations
Preservation is a critical aspect of e-discovery. Private investigators can assist by working with IT professionals to ensure that all potentially relevant ESI is preserved and not altered or deleted. They can help draft legal hold notices, which instruct clients and relevant parties on the obligation to preserve data, thus mitigating the risk of spoliation.
Forensically Collecting and Analyzing Data
Private investigators with expertise in digital forensics can be instrumental in collecting, preserving, and analyzing electronic evidence. They have the skills and tools necessary to extract data from various devices and platforms, ensuring its admissibility in court. This can include recovering deleted files, analyzing metadata, and tracing the digital footprints of individuals or entities involved in the case.
Data Processing and Review
Managing and reviewing large volumes of electronic data can be overwhelming for attorneys. Private investigators can assist in the process by employing e-discovery software to filter, de-duplicate, and organize the data efficiently. They can also create timelines and data visualizations, making it easier for attorneys to understand and present the information in court.
Social Media and Online Investigations
In today’s digital world, social media and online platforms often hold valuable evidence. Private investigators are adept at conducting discreet online investigations to uncover relevant information, such as social media posts, emails, or communications that may not be readily available through traditional discovery methods.
Locating and Interviewing Witnesses
Private investigators can track down and interview potential witnesses who might possess crucial electronic evidence. They can gather statements, affidavits, or even assist in preparing witnesses for deposition or trial, ensuring that all relevant facts are brought to light.
Investigating Digital Misconduct
When there are allegations of digital misconduct, such as data breaches, hacking, or cyberbullying, private investigators can delve into these matters. Their expertise can help attorneys build a stronger case by understanding the technical aspects of the misconduct and identifying responsible parties.
At the conclusion of all eDiscovery probes, clients receive thorough, detailed reports on their inquiry, along with any expert recommendations regarding the Subject or circumstances of the case. Should the need arise as the result of any subsequent litigation, our analysts and investigators are also available to offer expert testimony regarding what information they observed and catalogued for the client.
If you have need of a private investigator for eDiscovery purposes, please consider Lauth Investigations International. Call today at 317-951-1100 for a free quote and learn how we can help you find solutions.
Lauth’s Verified Resources:
• Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) • Licensed databases • National registries • Local & national media
eDiscovery Investigations Services:
• Asset Searches • Background Checks • Social Media Investigations
When it comes to ensuring safety in the workplace, a big puzzle piece comes with being able to claim peace of mind that your employees can be trusted. In this regard, you’ll want to be confident that any potential new recruit doesn’t have anything untoward lurking in their history. This makes uncovering whether they have committed personal crimes in the past a valuable, if not urgent, endeavor.
Many American businesses rely on their in-house HR team or recruitment firms to perform employee background checks. However, turning to skilled corporate investigators for this task can allow a far greater level of illumination, ensuring that any potential employee criminal record doesn’t remain under the radar.
Crucially, a licensed corporate investigations firm can draw from many of the same databases used by law enforcement to build a clear picture of your job applicant or employee’s background, including not only their employment record but also any history of misdemeanors or felonies. Read on as we explore the advantages for employers when in-depth background checks are conducted.
Lifting the Lid With Comprehensive Employee Background Checks
There are countless reasons why employers should be concerned about the caliber of their employee background checks and the potential for historical personal crimes. For example, a hidden history of harassment, violence, theft, or discrimination may spell disaster for an otherwise stable and productive team.
Research suggests that more than half of job applicants lie on their resumes, and while some untruths may be relatively innocent, others could be absolute deal breakers. Proactively framing this statistic further is the fact that, as an employer, you are far from powerless.
Certain types of dishonesty on a resume or job application can be considered fraud and, in the case of employees who have been hired based on false information, your business may be entitled to financial compensation. This makes comprehensive employee background checks a solid investment from multiple perspectives.
Corporate Investigators Can Safeguard Your Employees and Business
From background checks to cases of corporate fraud, any investigation conducted within or to better protect the workplace is subject to a range of legislation and regulations. A seasoned corporate investigations firm will be able to guide you through these processes, ensuring that every ‘t’ is crossed and ‘i’ dotted when it comes to following the letter of the law.
Our expert investigators will not only ensure that no stone remains unturned when it comes to gathering essential information about your prospective or current employees, but also thoroughly document every aspect of their process and findings, providing a firm foundation of support for any necessary follow-up.
As professionals working within the corporate sphere, they will also maintain absolute discretion and confidence, protecting both internal and public perception of your brand at every turn. So, would you like to learn more about the services provided here at Lauth Investigations International? Visit our Corporate Background Checks page or reach out to our corporate investigators today for a no-obligation chat about your needs.
Within any great organization, leaders play a pivotal role in keeping workplace culture strong and employees engaged. Essentially, the health of your company’s leadership culture will correlate directly with the well-being of its wider corporate culture. This makes driving excellent leadership practices a powerful lever to pull when striving for enhanced success.
So, why are leaders so critical when it comes to steering workplace culture? Intrinsically armed not only with authority but also influence, your trusted leaders actively set the tone for the wider team in their attitudes, practices, behaviors, and values.
Ultimately, every tactical decision and interaction counts, and their status quo approach will likely be emulated down the chain of command. This raises the poignant question: is your leadership team setting a high bar for corporate culture, or is there room for improvement?
How Your Chosen Leaders Shape All Aspects of Company Culture
Thanks to a growing understanding of how engagement and productivity are manifested, modern leadership models place emphasis on constructively coaching and mentoring employees, ensuring effective communication and collaboration, setting clear expectations, and supporting work-life balance.
Acknowledgment of effort also plays a powerful part in energizing teams, with 69% of employees expressing that they would work harder if they felt their efforts were better recognized. However, the shaping of corporate culture begins long before the process of guiding developing employees begins.
It is vital to note how influential your leadership’s recruitment practices are for the long-standing status of workplace culture. Poor hiring choices can introduce negative influences within teams, eroding trust, productivity, and even safety at work. With roughly 55% of job applicants lying on their resumes or application forms, the importance of comprehensive employee background checks cannot be overlooked.
Addressing Workplace Culture and Setting New Leadership Standards
Serving as a challenge for business owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs alike, the art of establishing high leadership standards is far easier from a blank slate than it is within a system already in motion. When a large or even small-to-medium-sized enterprise is already infused with rigid attitudes and detrimental practices, it can be tricky to trigger effective change.
However, with adequate oversight and understanding, the transformation of both leadership culture and workplace culture at large is entirely achievable. This process begins with developing a clear understanding of what’s happening now, which is best achieved with a corporate culture audit.
At Lauth Investigations International, our seasoned corporate investigators take immense pride in turning our understanding of the many factors that can make or break a business toward helping their leaders mitigate risk and forge cultural and procedural strength from within. Learn more about how we can help you correct detrimental practices and instill excellence throughout every layer of your organization with a corporate culture audit. Alternatively, connect with our corporate team today to discuss how we can best address your concerns and support your ambitions.
Most modern employers with a finger on the pulse understand the immense value of attracting and retaining the highest caliber of employees—and leverage the lure of tempting benefits packages to do so. However, did you know that implementing awesome employee benefits can provide a far greater array of rewards to your enterprise?
When it comes to forging superhero-level corporate culture, there may be few greater secret weapons in your company’s arsenal than a well-thought-out benefits strategy. As tech industry titan Julie Bevacqua expressed so eloquently, “In order to build a rewarding employee experience, you need to understand what matters most to your people.”
Essentially, when alignment is achieved between company mission and employee values, your brand’s potential for cape-wearing success can really begin to take flight. Read on as we explore how to maximize your employee benefits return on investment.
How Employee Benefits Steer and Shape Corporate Culture
A strategic employee benefits package can do so much more than seal the deal for recruited talent or reduce team turnover. Crucially, your company’s benefits reflect your brand’s values and mission, as well as its understanding of the people that keep it alive every day.
Benefits should be practical for employees, supporting the way that they work and live. For example, travel support will be relevant to commuters, but useless to those working from home. Meanwhile, eco-conscious employers should consider how to make their benefits align with their brand values, for example partnering with local green businesses.
Perks relating to mental health or fitness, such as gym memberships, are going to be relevant to everyone—because everyone wins when employees are happy and healthy. In fact, a recent analysis identified that employers can attain a potential return of $1.50 for every dollar invested in employee wellness programs. This makes sense when we consider the impact on employee engagement and absenteeism that a healthier lifestyle is likely to yield.
Tailoring Employee Benefits to Support a Stronger Corporate Culture
When organizations take the time to understand the unique needs of their employees, team members will inevitably feel more seen, heard, and valued. This makes it essential to avoid a one-size-fits-all mindset and tailor benefits to reflect your current workforce, evolving that package as necessary over time.
An essential puzzle piece for the successful deployment of awesome employee benefits is communicating what’s available to employees and then measuring results. Metrics such as productivity, employee turnover, and absenteeism can provide critical insights into the health of your corporate culture, while regular reviews of employee benefits as they fit into your larger employee retention and development programs will offer long-term value. Would you like further expert guidance on the nuances of cultivating superhero corporate culture and elevated employee performance? Lauth Investigations can assist with specialist corporate culture audits and more. For a no-obligation chat about the specifics of your brand’s future ambitions, contact our dedicated corporate team today.
