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Did you know that 40% of small
businesses that close for more than three days after a
disaster NEVER reopen?
(1) The last thing you want to have to deal with is disaster
recovery! The worst has happened and now you need
to figure out a way to keep your business going.
This is about more than just your computers and
information systems. Disaster can take many forms.
Disaster Recovery is about what happens in the event of
a devastating natural or unnatural disaster.
In a recent survey of more
than 200 small businesses conducted by Imation, one
quarter of small businesses reported that they do a
"poor" job when it comes to implementing a formal
disaster recovery program. In addition, 17 percent of
respondents admitted to not having a formal disaster
recovery plan at all.
All H#&%
breaks loose
Developing a
contingency plan for disaster recovery is one thing, but
developing a disaster recovery plan that is
effective and works is another.
It should be an ongoing, routine part of business planning and
operations.
An effective Disaster Recovery Plan simply covers all
the facets of business operations. This means personnel,
customers, facilities, functions, assets and records. In
brief, everything. Your goal is to develop a
straightforward, uncomplicated approach to resuming
business operations in case of a disaster. Most
importantly:
Develop your Disaster
Recovery Plan
as if all the key players will be absent.
This means
developing written procedures that support policies;
using a clean, standardized format that is easy to
understand and implement.
5 Tips on
Preparing for Disaster Recovery
-
Businesses the world
over have been affected by disasters such as
hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes,
tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and fire. Don't think
you are immune!
-
Develop your recovery
plan before disaster strikes. Make sure everyone
in your company is familiar with the plan and
knows what steps to take in emergencies.
-
Have
adequate insurance.
You’ll need coverage not only for property damage
and loss (including inventory), but also for
business interruption.
-
Draw up a
list of
telephone numbers for all employees. Assign
certain employees to call others if disaster
strikes. That way, you can learn who is all right
and who needs help, and you can quickly
communicate instructions about your business.
-
Don’t forget your
computer system. Keep backup programs and
duplicate records (accounts receivable, client
information, and the like) at a different,
safe site.
-
Test
your plan...
Source:
SCORE "Counselors
to America's Small Business."
Sample Disaster Recovery Plan
(pdf)
Disaster Recovery Planning Resources
For
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