Any emergency can bring about catastrophic consequences and major costs to your business, resulting in property damage, interruption of operations, lost revenues, frustration for customers, and damage to your business’s reputation. In fact, your business may be irreparably damaged; it might never recover, and it could cease to exist.
Building a Business Continuity Plan can give your business a better chance at recovery following a disaster.
The Challenge Of Business Resiliency
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 40% of businesses that experience a disaster never reopen, and another 25% close within two years. A significant factor in this attrition rate is a general lack of preparedness on the part of businesses. The resources and links on this site have been selected to assist businesses in becoming better prepared to survive and recover when disaster strikes.
Should I have a plan?
Every business, no matter its size and complexity, should have a written plan. The scope of your plan will depend on the level of detail you choose. Determine who is going to be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the plan. It may be that you will be performing these tasks yourself or, if you have a number of employees, you may assign the tasks to one or more individuals.
Where do I start?
Start developing your plan by reviewing the elements on this website. Consider what elements you wish to include in your plan. Below are some examples of what you may want to consider including:
- Insurance
- Emergency Supplies
- Emergency
- Communications
- Damage Assessment
- Debris Cleanup
- Employee Release/Recall
- Timeline for Decision Making
Ready.gov/business has online Business Continuity Training available. Start your training now!