Benefits of adopting a Business Continuity Plan
A business continuity plan (BCP) is one of the most overlooked aspects of any small business. From developing a disaster recovery policy to an IT disaster recovery plan, it takes time, money and continuous testing, practice, and patience. However, there are many benefits of adopting a disaster recovery plan. It provides a sense of security and minimizes the risk of delays due to natural or human-made disasters. It creates redundancies and enhances the reliability of backup systems. Disaster recovery solutions should be on the list of any business wanting to survive after an emergency. Surprisingly, it also can increase your bottom line. This article will attempt to outline some business sectors that have benefitted from adopting a business continuity plan into their operations.
Hotels that use a business continuity plan
Hotels use their business continuity plan to help create procedures for managing evacuees after a disaster. Keen hotel managers develop a contingency plan in partnership with local, state and federal emergency management organizations to pre-book displaced families. For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides disaster assistance to families seeking shelter in hotels. Hotels benefit from a packed house and families benefit from having comfortable emergency lodging. A hotel acts as a disaster recovery site and provides coordination with local emergency managers for locating displaced persons. A BCP for a hotel would need to take into consideration many items like backup power, emergency food, government subsidies, and coordination.
Disaster recovery companies that use a BCP
Disaster recovery companies have benefited from developing their business continuity plan. For example, the process helps identify gaps in primary and secondary supply chain management, for equipment, material, and workforce. As well, the disaster recovery plan would help form agreements between high priority customers (government, VIP, etc.) to streamline construction contracts and recover faster after a disaster. This process takes much of the decision-making and stresses out of the equation by having negotiated pre-disaster construction prices.
Small businesses that use a BCP
Self-storage companies have become an essential part of an organizations business continuity plan. For example, small businesses damaged in a disaster often vie for the extra space as they scramble to save their inventory. A business disaster recovery plan would help to identify locations of storage units quickly. Having this on hand will save a lot of crucial time during an emergency. You can also look to forming a contract with local storage companies in order to guarantee your spot after a declaration of an emergency.
Auto repair shops that employ a BCP
Auto repair shops that have a business continuity plan (BCP) can use that information to stay open even after a disaster. For example, testing your disaster recovery plan will help your organization identify local hazards. It could help you identify work locations that are part of a flood zone, or a site that suffers from recurring blackouts. These hazards can be determined by using tools such as a business impact analysis. Know what your vulnerabilities are will help you address them before an emergency. Thus, your doors stay open.
Grocery Stores that use a business continuity plan
Grocery stores who develop a business continuity plan will no doubt realize many of their shelves will become bare if they don’t keep supply moving fast. Many proficient grocers attempt to resupply with their vendors every hour during an emergency event. Grocery stores benefit from the increase in demand and families benefit from having emergency food.
Why having a business continuity plan is essential?
From hotels and disaster recovery companies to self-storage units and grocery stores; it has become evident that a business continuity plan is a solution to any type business interruption. Included in those plans should be preparedness strategies and action plans for employees, staff, and customers. For example, a disaster recovery plan for stocking emergency food and emergency kits. These must-haves would provide employers with an excellent source of food when power fails.
Your business continuity plan will need to include survival gear like emergency kits. Prepare now and don’t wait for another disaster.
Source by Jake Buckland
#Business #Continuity #Disaster #Recovery #Planning business
