Tweet

When Disaster Strikes, What's Your Plan B?

Guest post by: Dave Ferguson

Article Overview: Disasters are by their very nature unexpected. But, in business, the unexpected can put you out of business. Some "disasters" can be planned for and the consequences mitigated. Having a "Plan B" is the key.

When Disaster Strikes, What's Your Plan B?

We've all been moved by the sheer magnitude of the disaster in Haiti. I've also been impressed by the response to that disaster. One of the biggest problems shortly after the earthquake was the traffic jam at the airport - there were so many planes trying to deliver aid that some had to be turned away for lack of space on the ground to land. The disaster illustrated two very important concepts: the will to help and the ability to respond. The Red Cross seized upon the opportunity. Within hours I noticed ads saying I could text "Haiti" to a number and give ten dollars to the Red Cross to support their efforts. The charges would appear on my cell phone bill. It was brilliant, a simple but highly effective campaign. The logistics, however, were probably complicated. So many providers to negotiate with, details to work out, ads to create, television networks to talk to, and so on, that it's hard to believe the idea was generated the day of the earthquake. Their marketing effort was timely and their "sales" results were impressive.

But, all this was after the fact. Limiting death and injury requires action before disaster strikes. Earthquakes in California resulted in changes to the building codes and more sophisticated engineering of structures. Hurricanes in Florida have resulted in changes to the way structures are built and how people are warned. The tsunami in the Indian Ocean resulted in a multi- national early warning system. Deaths and damage will be prevented in the future.

If disaster strikes your business, are you prepared? Is your computer information backed up on a periodic basis and stored off-site? What would you do in the case of a fire or flood? A blizzard? What if one of your key employees is injured or becomes ill - or quits? How will you keep your business running, what's your plan?

It doesn't need to be complicated, simple is probably better. If you have an accessible copy of you important information, whether written or electronic, you're covered. It's easy enough to set up a temporary office elsewhere if you have phone and Internet service. If every key employee has a person or persons to assume their duties you can get by for a few days and your customers won't notice the difference (these people do go on vacation don't they?). There are many temporary help agencies that can provide adequate help for a period of time if you have defined your needs and talked to them in advance.

Like insurance, planning softens the financial blow. And, planning is inexpensive - it just takes time. Implementing those plans might require a modest investment but can you afford not to make that investment? How much will it cost to be out of business for a day? That's the real bottom line.

Related Articles
  7 Steps to Prepare For Earthquake Disaster
  Inhibitors to Success: Natural Disasters
  Data Backup and Recovery
  Do You Know Where Your Disaster Recovery Plan Is
  Working From Home - Plan Ahead For When Disaster or Tragedy Occurs

Article Tags: business, Disaster, plan



Related Forum Posts
Re: Hello from a San Diego-based marketer - Welcome Aaron! Whats the next stage for your business? Ben
Re: New, young entrepreneur - Congrats H20ismyLife! Do you have a website so we can see any of your work? Whats the next step for you?
Business Innovation - Hi Simon If you can finish off the Business Plan and think about your strategic direction or how you are going to use your product to convince people it's a great idea, it will set the foundation for your programming project. You see, when you are looking for funding you will need a Business Plan and Strategic Plan that will convince companies to invest into your new idea. Has anyone achieved this idea before using another industry besides health and fitness that you know of? You should also design some mockups as a "preview" for your programming project. This will also help reduce your programming costs as everyone will know exactly what you want if you have detailed mockups already completed including any functionality you require. Starting mockups for websites and software applications on paper is the best way if you're not a guru in graphic editing software.
Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery: A Small Business - Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery: A Small Business Guide Donna R. Childs, Stefan Dietrich 2002 "Among the countless tragic lessons of 9/11, an overlooked but important discovery was the lack of preparedness among small and midsized businesses for responding to disaster. While most of the media attention was naturally devoted to...., the very existence of thousands of small businesses was determined by whether or not they had adequate insurance, sufficient technological support, and viable disaster contingency plans." (People who live in hurricane prone areas need this as well...and who knows when a fire might not strike...) Table of Contents 1. Preparation 2. Response 3. Recovery 4. SAmple IT Solutions Basic safety practices Okay, the TOC isn't [i:2fu76idt]too [/i:2fu76idt]helpful, but there's lots of valuable info in this book, as to ensure that [i:2fu76idt]your [/i:2fu76idt]losses won't be catastrophic. How people cope with suddenly seeing their homes and all their possessions gone, what kinds of insurance to get, etc. etc.
2007 Goals - 1. Web site complete, fully operational 2. Revenue stream from both individual and corporate 3. Business Plan complete 4. Full marketing strategy complete and implemented


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Starting A Set of Books

Making the Most of Your Trade Show Experience

TRADE SHOW FOLLOW-UP: HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.