BDN Home
- January 14, 2010
5 Tips on Preparing for Disaster Recovery
In the wake of the happenings in Haiti, this is an important post. As a woman in business, you must be prepared for just about anything because on any given day some type of disaster could strike in your community and create havoc in your business and personal life.
You must recognize that your business can suffer a natural disaster. Small businesses the world over have been affected by disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and fire.
Develop your recovery plan before disaster strikes. Make sure everyone in your company(if you have emplouees)—and your immediate family—is familiar with the plan and knows what steps to take in emergencies.
Have adequate insurance. You’ll need coverage not only for property damage and loss (including inventory), but also for business interruption.
Draw up a list of telephone numbers for all employees if you have any. I would also recommend maintaining a customer list as well. Assign certain employees (or family members) to call others if disaster strikes. That way, you can learn who is all right and who needs help, and you can quickly communicate instructions about your business.
Calling your client base is also a good idea to let them know what has happened—especially if you have projects you’re working on for them or have products to be shipped, etc.
Don’t forget your computer system. Keep backup programs and duplicate records (accounts receivable, client information, and the like) at a different, safe site.
Brought to you, in part, by SCORE, America’s small business mentors, at www.score.org.
4 Responses to “5 Tips on Preparing for Disaster Recovery”
LIving in earthquake country myself, I’m printing out this list and following your suggestions! Not only is it great for businesses but, with some modification, for a home checklist as well. I well remember the ‘89 quake in San Francisco and one never knows when these things can strike. Great information–thank you!
By Eileen Williams on Jan 15, 2010
These are great ideas. I need to back up my files and store in a different location.
I shared this on Twitter and Google.
By Pam Archer on Jan 15, 2010
I need to backup more often and store files in more than one place. I remember a few years back, when possible hurricane turned tropical storm was on the way, not only did one graphic design business have backups, but they moved some of their computers with duplicate backups to another city further away.
One of the biggest problems in Haiti is lack of water, food, medical supplies. Most businesses have a first aid kit, and store of supplies. What about water, food?
By Heidi Caswell on Jan 16, 2010
Nice tips I prefer “Establish an automated system to notify critical staff of disaster by text. These staff should be thoroughly trained so that they can perform basic disaster recovery/back-up tasks unsupervised. You may be able to do this through an arrangement with a third-party service provider.”
By importance of finance on Jan 23, 2010