Risk Management Basics
We should all now realise what business disaster recovery planning really means and that a pre-emptive strike can positively influence your recovery. There are many aspects to review when it comes to your business recovery plan with no ‘one size fits all’ model available. Below are some important basics that you can implement readily.
1. Internal safety - Have you reviewed your premises to be sure the fit-out is safe and items are secured? Do you have the regulatory fire equipment? Do you have food and water stocks on-site? First aid? Do you have a clear and documented evacuation plan? Review and cement your plans as a team. Impose regular reviews and discussions of the plan, keeping new team members up to speed.
2. Evolving cloud technology and the virtual workplace have had a hugely positive effect on the recovery process. Important documentation can now easily be stored offsite ‘in the cloud’ as well as there being a definite trend towards web based software. At the very least, review (and test!) your current backup procedures.
3. Which of your staff could work remotely with minimal disruption? Why not investigate remote computer connections in the short term rather than as a reaction to a disaster? There can be positives to having the right staff work remotely. It’s also easier than it seems and for some industries it’s becoming the way of the future.
4. Have you reviewed your paperless possibilities? What do you currently store in hard copy that should be scanned and sucked into your server or a ‘cloud’ based backup solution?
5. What about your most vital of business documents? Do you have the originals stored in a safe location as well as ‘soft’ copies (stored in your computer server with adequate backup of course)? Examples include: insurance policies, key client and staff contracts.
6. Insurances - Do you have cover for site and equipment, vehicles, electronics, furniture and fittings, stock, wages and salaries, loss of profit, additional/increased cost of operating your business, claim preparation costs (accountant, solicitor, and insurance advisor fees), reinstatement of records? And the list goes on.
7. Finally, do you have the names, mobile and home phone numbers and personal email addresses of all your team members stored in your mobile phone? A Christchurch acquaintance could not stress strongly enough his relief at having this information readily available, not only in the immediate aftermath but when he needed to coordinate his team remotely in the following weeks.
We recommend you do your research and establish risk management that best fits your business. The NZ civil defence website (www.civildefence.govt.nz) is a great starting point.
