After the flood

We were all moved by the recent footage of the devastating floods which hit the North of the country. Many businesses were affected repeatedly whilst desperately trying to get up and running again.

The knock on effect of this on their livelihood has been devastating in some cases. Of course, not all businesses are at risk of being flooded, but there are many unexpected occurrences that can lead to a total disruption in operations

A fire on your own or neighbouring premises, a power cut, a chemical spillage or crime scene can all lead to an evacuation of your premises and an inability to trade.

This highlights the very real need for all businesses to have a robust Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) in place. A DRP is a formal document that businesses create to help them deal with an emergency situation. It is a useful tool that ensures that responsibilities are shared around the team and everyone knows what is required of them when things go wrong. 

Considerations you may not have thought of when creating your DRP

• Is your data safe and backed up remotely? This can include everything from staff records to customer information and banking details. 
• Are you able to access your telephone system and emails remotely? This will enable your staff to work from home and get on with the job of running the business while you start to clear up.
• Do you have a Communication Plan? Communication is critical after a disaster and it’s important to have a process for informing customers, suppliers, investors, employees and the media. 
• In a manufacturing company, production line equipment and production control systems are critical. The disaster plan should prioritise resources and include an assessment of the risks and consequences associated with each resource.

Once you have dealt with the immediate emergency and set up temporary operations you will need to turn your attention to the business of re-instating your company to its normal working conditions. Many companies underestimate exactly how long this will take and the increased cost of working in this interim period. We can help you to fully assess the potential risks you face and the associated costs, and arrange protection to suit. 

Contact me today and talk about how to prepare your business for the unexpected.