business continuity: how important is it?€¦ · business continuity: how important is it? ......

Business Continuity: How Important Is It?

Please turn on your computer speakers to listen to the audio.

This webinar is being recorded and a copy will be available on the Safeguard Iowa Partnership website for future viewing.

Feel free to submit questions throughout the presentation, a facilitated Q&A will take place at the end.

To submit a question: enter in the question box on the right.

Understand why it’s important to plan and prepare for potential business disruptions.

Discuss the basics of creating a business continuity plan.

Review the available resources for businesses.

40-60% of small businesses fail after a major emergency Small Business Administration

Declared disasters more than doubled in recent years

John Arens

Small businesses are a vital part of the U.S. economy:

99% of all employers

75% of net new jobs

97% of all U.S. exporters

Great challenges:

Money is tight

Profit margins are small

Debts are high

Time is short

Never enough staff

Susie Shapiro/FEMA

“It won’t happen to ME”

Small events can be just as devastating

No

Production

Customers

Sales

NO BUSINESS

Plan to protect your:

Business

Investment

Livelihood

Preparedness enhances recovery from:

• Damages to capital assets, equipment or inventory

• Business disruption

• Financial losses

• Loss of market share

Preparedness bolsters:

• Business’ security

• Credibility with customers, vendors, supply chain and the community

Polk County EMA

Theft

Computer Failure

Communication Failure

Security Alert

Documents Flooded

Workplace Violence

Employee Sickness

Power Outages

Strikes

Fire

Non-access of Site

Extreme Weather

Supply Chain

Hazardous Materials

Have your tools grown feet and walked out the door?

Has your company gas bill doubled since last month?

Does it take more time for your crews to finish work than it should?

Are you ordering supplies more and more often?

Security

Placement of documents

Controlled shut-down

Employee Sickness

Strikes

Fire

Workplace violence

1 million individuals each year

$55 million in lost wages

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Non-access of site

Extreme Weather

Supply Chain

Hazardous materials

Secure primary location

Secure alternate location

Select crisis manager plus backups

Select spokesperson plus backups

Create emergency contact list

Determine who will participate in emergency planning and crisis management

Include representation from all staff

Coordinate with neighbors and building management

Rank your risk against natural and man-made disasters

High

Medium

Low

What is covered by insurance?

Flood insurance is different

List prioritized critical operations, staff in charge and procedures for each

Facilities

Suppliers, Contractors, Vendors

Key Customers

Employees

Know the computer hardware you own or lease

Know the capacity of your IT system

Document the model, serial number, date of purchase and cost for insurance records

Who will communicate emergency plans to employees? How?

In a disaster, how will you communicate with employees?

Create a list of emergency numbers for all employees

Encourage family communication plans

What are the steps you are taking to protect your computer hardware?

What are the steps you are taking to protect your computer software?

What steps are you taking to protect internet connectivity?

Who is responsible for backing up critical records, including payroll and accounting systems?

Are backup records, site maps, insurance policies, bank account records and other essential information stored onsite and offsite?

Review types of insurance, coverage, deductibles, policy limits

Record policy numbers

Are there measures or additional insurance required to keep you open for business in the event of an emergency?

Establish what employees should do if they need to leave the workplace quickly

Is there a warning system?

Where is the assembly site?

Who will shut down the business?

Who will issue the all clear to return to work?

Cynthia Hunter/FEMA

Collaborate with neighboring businesses & building owners

Post evacuation routes in clear view of workplace

Ensure building exits are clearly marked

Practice the plan, practice evacuation procedures several times a year

Establish shelter-in-place procedure to include:

Warning system

Shelter-in-place location

Seal-the-room location

Who shuts down the business

Who issues the all clear to return to work

Mark a date each year to review and update your plan.

Practice the plan several times a year.

Incorporate key messages in new employee orientation.

Encourage employees to prepare themselves & their families by getting a home emergency supply kit, creating a family emergency plan and staying informed.

Safeguard Iowa Partnership

www.safeguardiowa.org sip@safeguadiowa.org 515.246.1707

Ready Business Download at www.ready.gov Order from 1-800-BE-READY

20 Weeks to Preparedness

www.safeguardiowa.org/20-weeks-to-preparedness

Ready America

www.ready.gov or 800-BE-READY

Share your plan and procedures with employees, customers and others; encourage them to prepare

Spread the word among your industry, vendors, supply chain, professional associations and customers

Preparedness Pays

Please use question box on right hand side to submit your questions.

With no further questions, we will conclude the webinar.

A copy of the recorded webinar will be posted on the Safeguard Iowa website – look for an e-mail

sip@safeguardiowa.org

April 19 : 8:30 AM – 4 PM : Critical Infrastructure & Key Resources Workshop

Registration is required. To register for the webinar/workshop go to www.safeguardiowa.org/event.