Photo by Deborah M. McCormick
The disaster from Hurricane Harvey is barely in the rearview mirror and Irma is heading for Florida. These two enormous storms, and the devastation they have created, are front and center in the news. These headlines are probably creating some anxiety for many of us. Are we prepared? Most of all, do we know what to do to keep our families and homes protected? There’s a lot to consider and much to plan for.
Because you are a business owner, you have even more to consider and plan for. Whether it be a hurricane, flood, fire, winter weather, a cyber attack, or any number of natural and man-made risks, is your business ready? Is your business prepared for a disaster or emergency situation – and the aftermath of such? While businesses in Texas and Florida are dealing with this now, the rest of us are fortunate. Because we have time to plan. And having a plan can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your employees safe and your business up and running.
According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, an estimated 25% of businesses do not open again after a major disaster. Being proactive can keep your business from becoming a statistic. Disaster planning can minimize risk, help you respond to the needs of your employees and clients, and keep your business operating.
If your business does not have a plan in place, here are a few resources to help you get started with emergency preparedness and response, disaster recovery and business continuity. These sites offer tips, preparedness checklists and toolkits. Businesses of any size can use these to perform a risk assessment and prepare a plan of action.
- https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage/prepare-emergencies-disaster-assistance
- https://www.fema.gov/preparedness-checklists-toolkits
- https://www.ready.gov/business/implementation/emergency
If you have any questions, or if Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC can help you as you prepare your business for a disaster, please contact us.
Submitted by Deborah M. McCormick