Be Ready for a Disaster
Preparation is critical to surviving a disaster; however, a large majority of small businesses don't have a disaster preparedness plan in place, according to the results of a new survey.
"We've learned from bitter experience how important it is for every business to have a disaster response and recovery plan. By definition, disasters are unexpected, disruptive, and dangerous," says Stephen Jordan, Chamber senior vice president and executive director of the Chamber's Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC).
A national survey commissioned by Office Depot found that 71% of small businesses do not have a disaster preparedness plan in place, and 64% do not think they need one. Office Depot offers the following tips for developing and implementing a simple, affordable plan for protecting your business:
Keep employees safe
- Build and update easily accessible contact lists of employees, vendors, and local emergency responders.
- Establish contact procedures.
- Store first aid kits, food and water, batteries, generators, and other supplies.
- Train staff in CPR and emergency care.
- Post your disaster plan and test it frequently.
Protect your data
- Back up your data regularly on CDs, DVDs, or flash memory drives.
- Store backed-up data and copies of key forms and documents-including banking and insurance information off-site.
BCLC also recommends that you review your insurance policy and prepare a recovery plan to get your business up and running. After a disaster, BCLC can help connect impacted businesses with nonprofits, business donors, and federal and local government agencies.
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