Disaster Recovery:
Getting Your Business Back On Its Feet
You already know the most basic disaster recovery element. Unfortunately, too many of us don't really acknowledge it and we pay the consequences: Insure anything that you can't afford to replace.
Keep complete records of everything in your inventory including model/serial numbers, and save a copy offsite. Update this list regularly to help with filing claims.
As soon as you can, communicate with your employees, business associates and customers. Let them know the status of your operations. If your customers are local, chances are they were hit too. The way you communicate with them and take care of their service needs during their own recovery phase will make a big impression.
Even if you're unable to contine service for a time, call your customers and offer to help by connecting them with an alternate provider until you resume your operation. Don't worry about losing business; if you can't provide service, your customers have to go elsewhere anyway! And, your demonstrated concern for their well-being will likely foster even more loyalty to you in the future.
"After a disaster, it's like losing a loved one. You think, 'It's done, we're toast, out of business. But the biggest asset in your company is your people. They'll help you get started again. Don't dwell on the loss. Get on with fixing it. If you focus on a burned building or destroyed business, that's worse than saying, 'okay, let's get going forward."- Doug York, Vice President, Ewing Irrigation Products
(Ewing's Cathedral City, CA facility was hit twice by California wildfires, once in 1998 and again in 2003.)
Have a checklist
Your disaster recovery plan should include a checklist for how you'll get your operation back up and running after the emergency passes. Even just covering a few basics could mean the difference between keeping and losing your business.The scope of variables is too broad to generalize a disaster recovery plan into this article. But hopefully you've included contingencies for a backup facility and equipment to quickly get underway again, and contact info for your suppliers to expedite replacement materials. And if you've taken the necessary disaster preparedness steps, your data and paperwork should be intact - information that you'll need immediately to resume operations.
Government assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is a useful "clearinghouse" for assistance in disaster recovery, with links to various government agencies who will provide you with a wide range of services. You can also register by phone for disaster relief by calling (800) 621-FEMA.Although your insurance will help you get back on track, you may still need some extra financial help. The Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to businesses seriously impacted by disasters to help with costs not covered by insurance or other programs.
The Internal Revenue Service can also help, as it offers tax relief and assistance to individuals and businesses impacted by natural disasters.
Also be sure to check for programs offered by your state and local government disaster assistance and recovery agencies.
Related Info:
Government Money for Disaster Victims
Many people are unaware of one of the government's best money resources for disaster recovery. This article tells you how to get your share.
Preparing for Disaster - Is Your Business Protected?
Includes a brief outline of basic disaster preparedness steps, plus a first-hand account what goes through a business owner's mind as disaster unfolds.
Disaster Prevention: Basic Tips for Small Business
You can't stop the force of nature, but you CAN minimize its impact on your operation. Follow this checklist to increase your protection.
Elements of a Good Disaster Preparedness Plan
Reviews the three priorities that you'll need to have in place to help your business survive disaster.
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© Copyright 2007 Michael Riley. All rights reserved.