The best way to minimize disruption and loss to your business in the event of a catastrophic event is to develop a disaster recovery plan. This detailed informative document can significantly reduce downtime and allow you to meet the needs of your clients, while rebuilding or recovering from a loss of data or service. Regardless of the size or scope of your business, taking the time to create a disaster recovery plan now can save you time, money, and resources in the event disaster should strike. Identify the risks to your business and formulate a plan for the time during and after the event, using the following tips.
Steps to Successful Planning
The stress associated with a catastrophic event can render even the most reliable employees ineffective, as they struggle to assess the damage and determine the best course of action. The time it takes to accomplish this task under pressure is time you can’t afford to lose, but with an effective disaster recovery plan in place, you can start to act immediately. Steps to success include:
1. Assemble your team. Choose a select group of individuals to be in charge of the creation and execution of your plan. A team leader is crucial to oversee the proceedings, while the other members should represent each of the key operations of your business such as insurance, communications, human resources, and more.
2. Plan to evacuate. When disaster strikes, your number one priority is the safety of all personnel. A clear and concise evacuation plan should be documented, displayed, and practiced to maximize efficiency and minimize injury or damage.
3. Prioritize personnel. While your business recovers, it’s imperative that key personnel remain in their positions so the business can continue to run, even at a reduced capacity. Identify critical team members and ensure they will have what they need to perform their duties.
4. Take stock. It’s important to keep a running inventory for insurance purposes, but it’s also crucial to keep a list of essential office equipment so that you can outfit temporary quarters and continue to operate.
5. Choose an alternate location. Establish a secondary office space to house key personnel and equipment while your business recovers. Options may include renting a temporary space, working out of another branch of your organization, or allowing employees to work from home.
6. Maintain communication. Provide timely communications to employees to let them know what is expected of them and how they can assist in the recovery. Inform your clients of your plan for continuity and how the event may affect them.
7. Estimate downtime. Once the extent of the damage has been established, you’ll need to assess how long your business can operate at half strength. An insurance liaison can help to expedite your claim once the financial projections are in place.
8. Share and store your plan. Make multiple hard copies of your disaster recovery plan to distribute among key personnel, and store the information in the cloud for safe, easy access.
Call Clean MD for Reliable Restoration and Cleaning Services in Upstate New York
The skilled team of professionals at Clean MD can help get your organization up and running after a disaster, with services which include: fire restoration, flood and storm damage cleanup, and soot removal. Our cleaning specialists are IICRC certified for fire and water restoration, and we are fully licensed and insured.
Contact us online to schedule restoration or cleaning services throughout Erie County.