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August 19, 2013 02:51:30
Posted By IslOrgs Team
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 by Karen Simon
What steps will you or staff take when damage or loss occurs out of the blue? Disasters are defined as a sudden event that causes damage, failure and/or destruction.
So much of what you'll do depends on a number of factors. What type of business is it? What type of disaster? How much do you depend on the income? If you're like most small businesses, it's likely that you & the staff highly depend upon the funds earned by the business.
A study by the Institute for Business & Home Safety revealed that 25% (one out of four!) of all companies that close due to disasters never reopen.
As a long-time computer consultant, I always stress the importance of a backup system. I always ask, "How much data are you willing to lose?" It's a question of risk. I learned from my 10 years in a corporate Risk Management Department that when disaster strikes, having a good plan in place minimizes the amount of loss - plain & simple.
Five steps to create your plan:
1. Identify Risks - What can and/or will happen?
- Natural disasters
- Human-caused hazards
- Technology-related hazards
2. Plan To Stay In Business
- Analyze impact of risks
- Identify ways to reduce risks
- Define minimum requirements for business continuity
3. Create The Plan
- Identify resources required to stay in business
- Outline emergency communication methods
- Define procedures
- Train staff
4. Test the plan
- Step through scenarios
- Modify plan as necessary
5. Review and improve
- Review plan annually
- Identify triggers that will require plan modification
- Allow others to contribute ideas
How much are you willing to risk? When asked, our clients respond, "Not much." We provide worksheets, questionnaires and aides. Then, we coach clients through each of the five steps, asking questions to get to the most crucial information. Within a few hours, they're well on their way toward a completed plan.
How will YOU stay in business when disaster strikes? During September's National Preparedness Month, Island Organizers offers promotions and discounts for help with Disaster Prep. Call or email for an appointment.
"Small businesses that don't have a plan in place generally don't survive after a disaster, whether it's a flood or a tornado. We see that anywhere from 40-60 percent of those that are hit like that simply don't come back to business," said David Paulison, former executive director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). What are you waiting for?
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Resources:
www.ready.gov
www.fema.gov
On Sept 11, 2013 we held a teleseminar. Hear this informative and vital session.
Organizing your Vital Documents creates a "home" for your most important information & paperwork.
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June 4, 2013 08:14:05
Posted By IslOrgs Team
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By Karen Simon, Island Organizers
Got a scanner to get organized, but need help with How To? If you've tried to go paperless but are having trouble getting set up, you're not alone. Today, people are caught between the paper- based and digital document worlds. So many of them feel disorganized because they have some information on paper while other information is in digital form. They want all of their information to be "somehow" merged together into some kind of system that makes sense for them, is easy to maintain, and allows them to find it quickly when they need it.
Intuitively, they know that turning the paper into digital format is the answer so they purchase (or contemplate the purchase of) a scanner. That's where they get stuck because now, they realize that they don't have a system for filing the documents once they're in digital format - or they don't know how to create one. It becomes more of a headache to "figure it out," so they quit. Their investment in the equipment, and especially their time, is now wasted.
Just one of our solution-based services, Island Organizers helps you to set up your digital filing system to match how you work. We'll teach you how to use your scanner and teach you a routine to make your office and your life into one that is "paper-less" and organized so your information is always at your fingertips!
Find out how we can help you. Contact Us today. If you have a success story with your scanner, post a comment about how your scanner has helped you!
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Managing Email and Paperwork to get things done (and on time)!!
Setting Up Successful Routines to stay in front of clients and contacts
Maximizing Space for an organized and efficient office
Collaborating with others for virtual workers
Mobilizing The Office for staying organized on the road
Organize Anything to start, get and stay organized, finally!
Contact Us: 808-943-2053 & 310-391-7392
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November 1, 2012 02:45:02
Posted By IslOrgs Team
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by Donna D. McMillan, Island Organizers
Get organized early; beat the Holiday Rush! It's time to send HOLIDAY GREETINGS to your clients, colleagues, friends and family. On the horizon are Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, and New Years.
So ... do you have an organized system to store all of your important contacts' info? Whether you use a paper or electronic address book, spreadsheet, CRM (customer relationship management aka contact management) program, or your addresses are in the cloud, be sure to backup/copy these precious records and update often during the year!
Why send THANKSGIVING cards to clients and colleagues instead of other Holiday cards?
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Reinforces your personalized, heartfelt appreciation for their business and referrals, plus helps you to build stronger professional relationships. I've sent Thanksgiving cards to clients and colleagues for over 20 years.
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Unexpected and unique - something new and different for everyone to remind them of you.
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Arrives early before other greeting cards, is usually on display longer, is not buried in stacks of other Holiday cards and unopened mail, not easily deleted like email.
- There's still time (a full month) in this year for clients to hire your services, buy your products, plus send referrals to you.
- Be sure your "Thank You" cards arrive prior to Thanksgiving, before the Holiday hustle-bustle and piles of mail begin.
Make your list; check it twice! There are many greeting card solutions to choose from. Our favorite is www.SendOutCards.com where you order card(s) online for the holidays and any other special event. You can add photos and graphics, type personalized messages, and have them sent to one or many recipients. A Gift Catalog is included. SOC will print, stuff, stamp and mail these greeting cards for you. This will save your time, energy and money! Also, there's an App for that ... www.sendoutcards.com/soc_appdemo/
If you're feeling overwhelmed at the thought of your never-ending To-Do List as the Holidays approach, don't procrastinate! Give yourself the GIFT OF ORGANIZATION. Call us, we'll help you organize your time, space, information and priorities.
Warm Thanks and Holiday Greetings to YOU!!
Website ~ E-newsletter ~ Booklets
Contact Us: 808-943-2053 & 310-391-7392
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September 12, 2012 09:37:10
Posted By IslOrgs Team
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By Karen Simon, Island Organizers
Is your business ready for anything? What will you do if disaster strikes? Preparing for disasters such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes and tsunamis is the focus of September’s National Preparedness Month (NPM) campaign. To businesses, even theft and computer failure are just as devastating. What should you do to prepare your business before disaster happens?
Info & Data
The most precious part of any business is the information & data. Inventory, equipment, supplies & other hard assets can be replaced. What about the data? After a fire raged through one of my client’s homes, she was interviewed for a local newspaper & TV station. They asked, “What is the biggest loss your family will feel? ” Her answer was that her entire home-based business’ computer data was gone. She had no records of her customers’ contact information, invoicing & all business financial records – everything gone within minutes.
Back Up!
We all know that backups protect our data. But where are they kept? If your backup is in the same office or building as your computer, that won’t help if there's a fire, tsunami, or tornado.
How will you continue to do business if you can't access your computer? If you have offsite backup and an inventory of software, you could simply get another computer and restore your data from backup. You'll be back in operation within a few hours.
Vital Info
What information is vital to YOUR business to keep it running? If you’re like most businesses it's customers, employees & vendors, accounts receivables (who owes you), bank & insurance account info and numbers. Where is this info kept? Do you have inventory of it? What format is it stored in? paper? electronic? Is it easily accessible? Is it portable & duplicated elsewhere?
These are the questions you want to ask yourself during 2013’s National Preparedness Month. Get ready and be ready – prepare your business BEFORE disaster strikes. FEMA’s Ready Business website has extensive resources to get you started. Need more help? Ask Me How
On Sept 11, 2013 we held a tele seminar. Listen to this informative and vital session.
Contact Us: 808-943-2053 & 310-391-7392
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September 8, 2012 02:47:42
Posted By IslOrgs Team
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by Donna D. McMillan, Island Organizers
National Preparedness Month is September. Businesses large and small are getting ready. Fires, floods, windstorms, earthquakes, all disasters are devastating. Emergencies strike with little or no warning. If one were to hit your area, you will be affected physically, financially and emotionally. Is your business prepared with a plan in place, in case an unexpected event happens?
According to Business Wire 9/7/12, Staples and National Safety Council Team Up to Raise Disaster Planning Awareness Among Small Businesses. For the Aloha state, Retail Merchants of Hawaii Partners with Counties for Disaster Preparedness Campaign.
It's vital to be in control, as much as possible, after a catastrophic event. Businesses must get back on track immediately. Your customers and other businesses that rely on you are impacted if your business is not operational. Also, if insurance claims are necessary, specific information will be required.
PREPAREDNESS PLAN FOR BUSINESSES
- Inventory - Passwords & Software, Possessions & Valuables, People: employees & clients
- Communications - keep VIP numbers in cell phone & the cloud for accessibility.
- Safety Procedures - for employees & customers
- Protect - property, business records, contacts
- Insurance - contact your agent for advice & appropriate coverage
- Photos/Video - of current possessions & property, save copies off-site, send to insurance agent
- Supplies - emergency kit including chargers & batteries, food & water
- Resources - suppliers, vendors, etc.
You can protect your business, be informed, have a plan. Visit www.ready.gov/business, www.redcross.org/prepar e and www.fema.gov/mobile.
Is your company prepared for disasters? Share your story ... add a comment.
On Sept 11, 2013 we held a tele seminar. Get this informative and vital session.
Get help Organizing your Vital Documents & creating a "home" for your most important information & paperwork.
Contact Us: 808-943-2053 & 310-391-7392
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