There are many ways your business can prepare for, and survive, a disaster from a flood, fire, hurricane or other devastating event. By identifying priorities and developing strategies for recovery, you can minimize the impact to your business and your employees. The goal of business continuity planning is 1) to prevent business interruption by identifying risks, and 2) to implement steps following an emergency to maintain operations or to restart them quickly and reduce business interruption.

1. Establish Priorities for Recovery - When a disaster occurs, what will be the most critical areas of your business to recovery first? It is important to a successful recovery to develop and align your recovery expectations with qualified service providers in advance. By establishing a relationship prior to an event, you can minimize damage and bring order to a chaotic situation.
2. Establishing Responsibilities - Who within your organization will have the authority to declare an emergency, to define the level of response required, and to mobilize services as needed? By pre-planning you will establish a clear understanding of your facilities and assets allowing a response in strategic and comprehensive manner.
3. Communications - Internal/External - A communications strategy is critical for your executives, employees, customers, vendors and the media. The determination of a central point for the dissemination of information is needed especially in the event of a area-wide disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or flood.
4. Rehearse - Plans can change as you add new departments, equipment, machinery and with staff changes. Be sure to keep employee phone lists, customer records and priorities up to date internally and with your restoration service provider.
5. The Right Fit - Make sure the restoration service provider understands your unique operation and that they are able to meet your recovery needs.