Volume 7 Issue 2 Men With A Billionaire Mindset | Page 78

5 Prep Steps to Protect and Power

Your Business n unexpected event such as a seasonal storm can wreak havoc on your business . While you may not be able to manage Mother Nature , you can take steps to protect your business against the impact of a natural disaster .

In honor of National Preparedness Month , consider these tips to help prepare your business in the event a disaster or emergency comes your way .
MAKE A PLAN
If you haven ’ t mapped out how your business operations would change in the aftermath of a natural disaster , this should be your first priority . Consider scenarios in which the physical location of your business is inaccessible , a significant portion of your staff is unable to come to work or any other situation that could result in the inability to continue business as usual . Your plan should address minor impacts up to a worst-case scenario and outline how you ’ ll adjust accordingly , including which staff members will be responsible for leading each change . Define contingency resources and operating standards so you can quickly shift .
Power is often one of the first resources affected by weather-related disasters , and depending on the severity of the storm , outages can be lengthy . Adequate power is essential for keeping your business moving and ensuring operations don ’ t come to a halt during a time of need . Establishing a partnership with a power expert like your local Interstate All Battery Center can help with your everyday power needs while also guaranteeing you ’ re prepared for unexpected events . A professional partner ’ s expert counsel can guide you toward the right power source for your system in addition to helping prevent the logistical impact of battery failures , unplanned downtime or subpar performance .
KEEP INSURANCE UP TO DATE
As a business owner , you shoulder a great deal of responsibility , not only for your business and its assets but also for the people you employ . Maintaining a current and adequate insurance policy is an essential business practice . If you don ’ t make it a habit to review the terms of your policy each renewal period , take time to do so right away . If you find any areas of potential exposure , contact your insurance agent to discuss how you can better protect your employees , your business and , ultimately , yourself .
CONSIDER HOW ASSETS ARE STORED
Whether your business produces tangible goods or you deal in data , your assets may become inaccessible in the event of a natural disaster . Regular backups , digital file management and remote access can protect vital business information . Be conscious of storage needs you may take for granted with your current business setup . Your backup storage plan should include vendors located well outside your region who you ’ ve vetted and know you can trust .
ANTICIPATE COMMUNICATION NEEDS
In the hours , days and weeks following a natural disaster , you can expect an elevated need for information by everyone who is involved with your business , from your senior leadership team and other employees to customers and vendors . Think about how you typically communicate with each of these audiences and what changes may be necessary if your normal operations are disrupted . Decide ahead of time who will be responsible for leading communication updates and discuss your expectations about transparency and timeliness to ensure your business circle stays apprised of developments . n
76 IBA Success Magazine n VOL 7 , Issue 2