Investing in Disaster Planning - "business continuity management", "business recovery planning", or "risk assessment", call it what you will - is now more important than ever.

The essentials of business
Recovery from any business interruption will take time. But the less time it takes the better. Customers may initially be sympathetic but will quickly find what they want elsewhere.

Rather than "disaster", let's call it a "business interruption," because this is a less emotive and more appropriate use of terminology because this describes anything that happens outside of your control that stops business as usual in its tracks.

Adequate insurance will recompense financial loss if assets are destroyed or key personnel are lost. Insurance cannot, however, instantly produce office space, replace stock, recreate computer data or replicate essential documentation. These are also essentials of business.

Planning and management
Some planning is better than no planning at all. There are stages to consider. First you have a crisis that needs managing then damage needs to be assessed and restricted service during recovery must be facilitated. Finally full resumption of business as usual must be effected. Communication with staff, suppliers, customers, lawyers, accountants, insurance companies, police, the press, etc. will be essential. This will not be easy if the list of names and telephone numbers reside in the charred remains of your desk drawer!

Planning is not difficult but it does require commitment and not just occasionally. Essential data and documentation should be protected routinely. Periodically, the threats should be reassessed and the plan revised and communicated to staff accordingly. Your business will change and the world around you may change but you will want to continue somehow.  We can help you plan now so you do not flounder in future.