are the elements that you have to include. ensuring that the client gets what they are across the company, such as health &
It would be an unwise BCM practitioner expecting when they are expeting it. They safety managers or environmental risk
who chose not to include all of these don’t see it as BCM as such, but rather as a managers. It is simply about being able to
components if they were hoping to achieve means of meeting customer expectations. communicate in a succinct and effective
certification. In general terms, however, way with, in some cases, people who
there is always the risk that you will Do BCM professionals have the necessary actually don’t want to be communicated
overload people with information. The skills to be able to report effectively to with! They’d rather you didn’t send
key thing is to manage expectations. For
senior management?
them reports in the first place, but this is
some, perhaps only a PowerPoint slide it something which you must do. Therefore
required on each of these things – it’s up to Once again, this can vary enormously. For you must develop the skills to enable you
the BC manager to work out what level of example, you can have those people for to report to them in a way that they will
information is mutually acceptable to all whom BCM is simply one of the hats that accept and acknowledge. As I mentioned
parties. However, I would add that if the they wear when they are not doing their previously, you should look to adopt a
people you are reporting to don’t want the normal job. These people can vary from process and a structure that is similar to
level of information which you are giving those who tend to simply make things up that used by those reporting the latest sales
them, then perhaps there is an issue with as they go along, who tend not to get too figures or product developments.
the degree to which BCM is successfully far, to those who have signed up to various
embedded in your organisation. BCM courses and gained an MBCI. Of What three pieces of advice would you
course this variation is then reflected in give to a BC manager to help enhance
From a practical perspective, what format their technical abilities.
the effectiveness of their BCM reporting
should the report take and how should it From a communication perspective, the
processes?
be presented?
levels of ability also vary. In determining
who is best able to take on the role of BCM The first piece of advice would be to read
Reporting can be carried out using a project manager, which is a title more part 5.2.2 of BS25999:2 because that tells
variety of techniques. For most companies likely to be applied in the organisations you the things that you should be reporting
there will already be in place a reporting that I work with as there tends not to be an on. Secondly, I would say make sure that
structure or template for other fundamental official BC manager, you should be looking you have sufficient airtime, so that those
elements of the business, for example, sales to pick the person who has these skills plus you are reporting to have time to consider
reports or competitor analysis reports. The the level of technical understanding. This what it is you are reporting – and this is why
board will be used to these reports, so the should be a key consideration in the early is important to ensure that you are reporting
BCM reporting structure should attempt to stages of any BCM project – who are the in a manner that will grab their interest.
mirror these. In my view, the closer that the best people to have take control of it? Finally, I would suggest that you highlight
report can get to being viewed as part of the In this context, communication skills the positives – how by implementing this
normal business processes the closer BCM are incredible important. The project has process we were able to avoid this situation
is to being embedded within the company. to have credibility in the eyes of senior and highlighting those instances where the
There is a risk with BCM reporting that management and it is only going to achieve company has achieved benefits as a result
it will be viewed as separate from other that if these skills are present. They’ve got of its BCM approach, rather than simply
business processes and becomes something to be communicating effectively and in reporting on the problem areas.
e
which is discussed last thing on a Friday a language that people will understand,
over a cup of coffee. Ideally, it should be otherwise they will fail to deliver because
HUgH LEigHTon MBCi
contained within other reports and be the people that they are trying to speak to
viewed as part of the business process. simply won’t pay attention.
hugh leighton, aCii, is a senior consultant at
For example, my main area of focus is In essence, these skills are no different
aon global risk Consulting
the manufacturing industry. Here, BCM to those required by other sectors in the
tockphoto.com/lorrainedark
hugh.leighton@ars.aon.co.uk
s
©i is seen more and more as being about company which report their activities
January/February 2010  Continuity  3
Cont Jan/Feb 2010_insides.indd 37 3/2/10 14:53:12
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44