A business plan for disasters?
It's too late to start planning when a disaster is eminent, as earthquakes and hurricanes have demonstrated. While property losses dominate disaster publicity, businesses also face monumental losses when trying to restore operations after a flood, earthquake or other disaster.
Failure to plan for recovery can sink a businesses. But how do you develop a recovery plan? Here's some business advice from experts:
Plan recovery teams and assign specific tasks to groups in order to get back to business. Teams should be ready to focus on critical needs such as property restoration, communications and equipment replacement quickly.
Assign personnel workers the task of notifying of employees about work schedules.
Have an updated directory of all branch offices, claims offices and service centers including names, addresses, fax numbers and home phone numbers of employees.
Outline a telephone plan for summoning recovery team members and develop a list of items they will need first.
Get copies of company floor plans as well as contracts with vendors and suppliers.
Don't let the disaster plan gather dust. Review it periodically and schedule practice sessions.
