CHICAGO, IL- January 19, 2012 - Reacting to a natural disaster or
emergency not only means ensuring the immediate safety of employees, but also
planning how the business will continue to function in the aftermath. Even if
your business is not located in an area that is a likely target for a natural
disaster, you need to be prepared for the unexpected with a comprehensive
business continuation plan.
Creating a disaster plan
for your business is a great way to start the New Year. Business that have a
continuity plan in place – and use it during and after disaster strikes –
typically experience less damage, loss and downtime than businesses without a
plan.
“If your company lacks an
emergency plan, an emergency can turn into a business catastrophe,” said Steve
J. Bernas, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and northern Illinois. “But a solid emergency plan can
give you a lot of peace of mind and a greater sense of security.”
After you’ve made plans
to ensure the safety of your employees, the BBB offers the following advice to
help keep your business operating and meeting your customers’ needs:
Don’t be caught off guard.
Consider the different types of disasters—fire, flood, tornado, etc.—that can
occur and how your business would respond differently to being displaced for a
week, a month, or longer.
Know your surroundings. Determine
alternate locations for your business to operate if you are displaced from your
current building. This could mean enabling employees to work from home.
Prepare your staff.
Identify essential staff who are core to the operations of the business and
keep a list of their contact numbers (home, work, cell) and e-mail addresses
that can be accessed by employees from several locations (home, Internet,
etc.).
Communicate, communicate,
communicate. Devise an emergency communications plan that
outlines how your business will be in contact with employees, customers,
vendors and other key external contacts in the days following a disaster.
Contact vendors and suppliers to confirm their emergency response plan
procedures. Be prepared to use alternate vendors for essential supplies and
equipment. Have your back-up equipment kept in good working condition.
Have an up-to-date inventory of your
assets. Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have
adequate coverage for items you cannot afford to lose. A standard policy may
not cover business interruption losses.
Store your documents safely and
efficiently. Keep duplicates of personnel, payroll, payables
and receivables and other essential records at an off-site location. Regularly
make back-up copies of important computer files.
Establish a succession of management
for the company. Determine who will manage the company if key
leaders are unavailable.
For more business tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
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As a
private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is
to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by
means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising
claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop
and issue reviews on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage
people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.