Solutions should also focus on determining a chain of command, including: which employees are going to be in charge of different aspects of the recovery effort; how you will communicate with your employees and customers; recovering and backing up electronic and hard copy data; having access to materials necessary to the operation of your business; and alternative locations where you can operate your business.
3. Determine the strategy for implementing your recovery efforts. When a natural disaster strikes, you need to implement your plan immediately. Having a check list of “things to do” may seem obvious, but mayhem can create confusion. Implementation also helps you prior- itize what things need to be done first in order to start your recovery process.
4. Test the process and get buy-in from your employees. Stage a mock disaster at least once a year to determine your level of preparedness. Assess your employees to make sure they understand how to execute your BCRP. Examine your emergency communications, whether or not your data is being backed up properly, and if people are responding in a timely manner. And most importantly, make sure you have acceptance from your staff. If they aren’t taking the situation serious, find ways to motivate and encourage their full participation.
5. Maintain the plan. In less than 12 months a lot can change. Employees can come and go. Old business locations may close and new ones may open. Make sure to update your plan quarterly and if necessary, conduct training more than once a year to help your staff under- stand their role in the recovery effort.
Finally, work with your insurance provider to ensure you have proper coverage for your business that not only addresses property losses, but includes business interruption insurance to cover the loss of income that may result from a disaster-re- lated closing.
For more information, please contact me at 800.622.0016 or
willr@ineda.com.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY: MAKE PLANS INSTEAD OF EXCUSES!
Business disasters come in all shapes and sizes and many businesses are not prepared to respond. Without a business continuity plan, one in four businesses forced to shut down because of a disaster never reopens.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has developed a new streamlined business continuity program for small businesses that may not have the time or resources to create an exten- sive plan to recover from business inter- ruptions. The free program, OFB-EZ®, is designed to be simple to use, administer and implement.
The toolkit will help you:
1. Identify the business activities that are essential for continued operation during a disruption.
2. Deal with risks your organization faces.
3. Create an easy-to-use recovery plan tailored to your business, giving you confidence if the worst occurs.
No matter what you do, or where you do business, disasters can strike, sometimes without a moment’s notice. OFB-EZ can help you prepare for the unexpected and respond should it actually occur. But it’s not enough to simply read this article and think about being prepared. Download the free OFB-EZ toolkit at
DisasterSafety.org/ ofb-ez and start working on the plan that may help you survive, and even thrive, when the disaster you plan for becomes the disaster you recover from.
May/June | The Retailer Magazine | 35
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
