The type of threats your business can face can be dependent on where you live. From theft to cybercrime, software malfunctions and natural disasters, there are several things that can interfere with your business and bring it to a complete halt. It is never a good thing to have to stop and halt business activities. Production time will be lost and you could lose money. You will still have to pay clients and staff without any money coming in.
Making sure you’re as prepared as much as possible is critical for business operations. If a disaster did occur, would you know who to call or what to do? Here are some tips and ideas to help your business prepare for an emergency.
Malware and Security Software
From using emails to running a store online, there will be plenty of reasons why your business needs the internet. If you download something you shouldn’t have or open a phishing email, it can lead to problems with your computer. Problems can range from hacking to loss of information and data. It’s a good idea to make sure your systems are up to date with the right kind of software and anti-virus systems in place. This way, if something does happen by accident, it can be prevented from doing any damage.
It is also a good idea to have the number of a company like Dyrand Systems readily available. They can help you set up a Voice Over Internet Protocol, VoIP, as a viable IT solution. They can also help you with system backups and should something happen. If you don’t have a backup system or plan in place, this is definitely worth looking into.
Train The Team
There are so many ways the training of your team can impact how well things run in your business. For example, there is first aid training that will have members of your team ready, just in case there is a medical emergency. You should also plan time to talk about and train staff about what to do in case of a fire or natural disaster. The should know what escape route to take and how they will be accounted for. When I worked in an office building we often had fire and safety drills to practice before a true emergency occurred.
Training staff on things like cyber attacks is important too. If they don’t know about phishing emails and hacks, they could easily open something they shouldn’t have. Train your staff now and it can remove a certain element of human error and confusion that is common in business environments during emergencies.
Get Insurance
At the end of the day, if you want to avoid a large financial hit from a disaster like a flood at your warehouse or theft from your office getting business insurance is a good way to go. There will be different levels of coverage for you to consider. See what the policies cover and what you can afford. Ask questions to make sure you are getting what you need to protect your business. Make sure you understand what is covered and if there are any deductibles. This way there will be no surprises if you ever have to submit a claim.
Having a plan in place can provide you peace of mind that your business won’t come to a grinding halt if something disastrous happens. Don’t just make a plan, review it once and forget about it. Review it annually, or at least every two years to make sure everything is up to date and no changes are needed. The time spent preparing can save you tremendous money and time if an emergency were ever to happen. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Executive and Leadership Coach. She is the President of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where she can help you up-level your skills, so you can up-level your income, career, business or life. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, personality assessments, and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
