Disaster/Emergency Planning for Businesses - Are you flirting with disaster?

I’m travelin’ down the road,
I’m flirtin’ with disaster.
I’ve got the pedal to the floor,
My life is running faster.

……

Been flirtin’ with disaster,
Ya’ll know what I mean.
And the way we run our lives,
It makes no sense to me.
I don’t know about yourself or,
What you want to be - yeah.
When we gamble with our time,
We choose our destiny.

Are you, flirting with disaster? Have you made previsions for yourself, your family or your business if you are suddenly faced with the inability to attend to your affairs? Molly Hatchet’s “Flirtin’ with Disaster” keeps playing in mind as I give thought to this subject.

This very situation has brought reality to the forefront within our circle of friends. Our friend Alan is solo-entrepreneur; runs a small retail store. Alan is just like you and me, building a business and achieving his dreams. An avid cyclist, Alan regularly rides late in the evenings to prepare for race events. He takes all the necessary precautions that are available to him to keep safe from harm. His bike is equipped with various lights, both rear and front. He wears protective head gear and reflective clothing.

A few nights ago, Alan was out on another night trek when he was struck from behind by a vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene. Alan does not recall the accident himself; his next recollection was being attended to by paramedics. He suffered a concussion, broken bones, scrapes, burns and back injuries. He was placed in intensive care for a couple of days and then upgraded to satisfactory condition. He has now been released from the hospital and is recovering.

My first thought, as a friend, is that he is ok and will make a full recovery. My second thought, as a business owner, did he have a Disaster Plan. The short and long answer is – no, he did not. Healthy and feisty, he did not anticipate anything happening that would prevent him from running his business. With no contingency plan in place, his store sat closed. As luck (or lack thereof) would have it, his only employee was recently let go and he was serving his customers solo.

This could happen to you. Your business can be shut down in a split instant. Have you given thought to various scenarios that you need to take when facing an emergency.

No one knows what tomorrow could bring. What if you were faced with:

• A natural disaster has struck, you are suddenly without power and other utilities. Do you have a communication plan in place for your employees? Have you identified an alternate place to operate the fundamentals of your business?
• Your business has been destroyed or vandalized. Have you prepared an action plan ready to implement – contact information, insurance information?
• Your key employee is faced with a medical crisis. Who will step in and take over their role? Have you developed a clear outline of responsibilities for your employees?
• Your webhost has suddenly shut down – whether by closing shop or a disaster of their own. Do you have a contingency plan in place? Is your website and blog backed up separate from the host?
• You were involved in an accident. Do you have a clear chain of command if suddenly you were unable to manage your business?

The Point

Sit down and begin brainstorming. Think about the unthinkable scenarios that you could face as a business owner. The answer is in preparedness. You have worked hard to build a business. Now put in that same effort to protect your business. Prepare for the unthinkable. In all likelihood, it won’t happen but if it does you are prepared.

Photo by cactusbones

Comments

• Find me on .......