SMEs
Anybody trying to leverage their corporate training budget should keep in mind that
while a different price structure may apply, so do economies of scale
emergencies) will be a better BCM lesson let them fail truly. Let them get first-hand can be added by relatively simple measures
than a council could ever hope to deliver. experience of what denial of access, lack and altering the modus operandi of the
This needs to be done with sensitivity, as of business continuity etc. actually means BCM industry.
one cannot expect a small business owner – as opposed to typical scaremongering As we now start to recognise, although
to jeopardise their livelihood. Rather than statements such as “X businesses fail with Y it may take a while for returns of whatever
funding yet more leaflets, though, could after the incident”. Any subsequent review kind to materialise, SMEs are the engine
a local shop or cafe be paid to shut down or educational/training efforts are likely to of the economy and cannot possibly be
for a couple of hours to take part in an fall on much more fertile ground, and be ignored and left out of the BCM equation.
exercise? It would be a diversion from much better appreciated. One catches bees with honey, not vinegar.
business as usual and the word would Whereas the direct offensive continues to
spread that local businesses and councils The way forward fail, a softer, more inclusive and indirect
are doing something together, something As Hiles and Gosling pointed out in their approach might just be the recipe for
that, however serious, might even include article, not everyone is well-placed to be success.
an element of fun. a charity or play Santa, and there are costs
With their entrepreneurial spirit and to BCM which have to be met one way or Sonia CaSSiDy amBCi
raw ingenuity, local SMEs might cope another. However, a lot can be done to
Sonia runs her Smes while working towards
surprisingly well with what such an exercise minimise them for the SME sector by simply
an mbci
throws at them, even without much training keeping the SME issue in mind when going
sonia_cassidy@hotmail.com
or specific BCM skills. If chaos ensues, about our business as usual. Great value
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