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.