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2) Plan to Stay in Business A business continuity plan outlines how to preserve and restore critical business functions after an emergency. Create a plan by determining which staff, materials, procedures, contacts, and equipment are necessary to keep the business operating at the most basic level. Include a broad cross-section of people from your organization in the planning, but focus on those with expertise vital to daily business functions. These will likely include people with technical skills as well as managers and executives. Together, think about how various hazards may disrupt the core functions of your business. Think about how they may affect access to your business. Review your business process flow chart, if one exists, to identify operations critical to survival and recovery. Include emergency payroll, expedited financial decision-making and accounting systems to track and document costs in the event of a disaster. Establish procedures for succession of management including at least one person who is not at the company headquarters, if possible. Develop emergency plans with key suppliers and other people you depend on to do business. Cultivate relationships with more than one supplier to ensure that a disaster that shuts down a key supplier does not also shut you down. Keep copies of important documents, like tax records and business permits, you may need to rebuild your business in a waterproof, fireproof container. Store a second set off site. Make a list of your most important clients and plan ways to communicate and, if possible, service them during and after a disaster. REVIEW PLANS ANNUALLY
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