Disasters, such as the recent flooding in Nashville, have a far reaching economic impact. As we find ourselves in recovery mode some business owners are asking themselves when and if they can re-open. With issues ranging from the physical loss of property or product to loss of vendors and customers the U.S. Department of Labor says that over 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster.
So many circumstances are beyond our control as business owners, but one thing we can do it plan. Contingency plans or disaster plans can be scary to think about because we are planning for something we hope will never happen. It isn’t a plan B, it’s a worse case scenario.
As a department Assistant Manager in a bank in an international port town maintaining a Contingency Plan was part of my responsibility and part of it actually went into effect on the morning of 9/11.
Recovery after a disaster can take many avenues depending of the size of your organization but I will focus on the Small Business Owner.
1. You’ll need to assess your damage. Everything from minor to total loss should be documented. Having a comprehensive inventory of your office plus any product loss will help expedite insurance and federal aid and will be important when claiming the loss on your taxes.
2. Overall finances can take a serious hit during a disaster, especially in circumstances where both the home and the office have been lost. Naturally you will take that into consideration when planning to re-open your business, however I must note that the work from home business can be such, that as soon as you have a computer and a cell phone you are back in business. Since time is of the essence this may be good news for your business when faced with a city or state wide problem.
My Contingency Plan is a file folder with the following information:
a. Important Contact Numbers – Emergency Personal, Closest Business Partners, Vendors, and Regular customers (If you have employees they should be on your contact list)
b. Office equipment list and photos as well as a list of what I’d need to be operational
c. List of software
d. List of online tools and passwords to access them
e. Back up hard drive of all my files. – Technology is such that if you have data that if lost would ruin your business off site storage and retrieval systems are becoming more affordable for the small business owner.
f. Copy of the business plan.
g. A check list of what I need to do to get up and running in case I experience a total lost
NOTE: A copy of this folder is also kept off site at an out of town family members home.
I know it can seem like a bit too much, but once it’s done it’s just a matter of reviewing it every year and hoping you never have to use it. Anything from a complete computer crash to a natural disaster can shut a business down. Being prepared can help get you in to action mode and help you make sound decisions on the future of your business.
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
Usually I pick a yummy treat, but this week I came across a great video I wanted to share. During some of my getting-to-know-you meetings I learned my customers were interested in supporting the Green Initiative and I was able to meet their desires by using Nashville Wraps for my cellophane products. Although I’m not using the biodegradable cello… yet, the product I am using can be recycled and doesn’t have to add to landfills.
Take a journey with Nashville Wraps and see How Plastic Bags Are Recycled:
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
OBB Nashville was proud to donate a gift basket to the silent auction… one of 160 items!!! Thank you to our customers for attending and supporting the event.
The “Fifth Annual Music City Mardi Gras” event was a huge success! Thanks to everything that attended. We are growing each year and are already looking forward to 2011!
Event Photos:
To see pictures from the event click here
Event Video:
To see video from the event click here
The Lisa Ross Parker Foundation is a charitable foundation founded in 2004 by Janet Ross, and operated by Janet and a small group of committed citizens, dedicated to the memory and charitable legacy of Lisa Ross Parker, whose life was taken at age 33 by leukemia.
Although Lisa is no longer with us, her legacy of giving continues through the Lisa Ross Parker Foundation. The organization was founded in 2004 with a mission that encompasses two things most dear to Lisa:
1) Providing support for families touched by cancer, and
2) Assisting animal welfare organizations
The Lisa Ross Parker Foundation strives to charitably honor the legacy of Lisa Ross Parker by continuing to pursue her charitable passions, including (but not limited to) assisting and caring for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related cancers, and their families.
In addition, we continue Lisa’s legacy by assisting with charitable animal welfare and supporting other animal advocacy organizations that follow the same principles. We are a tax-exempt public operating charity under Internal Revenue
I was on hand to see the awards given out at the second annual Melrose Music Meat and Greet! OBB Nashville donated the second prize – a large galvanized tin full of treats perfect for a little tailgating. The music industry has been very supportive of OBB Nashville and I’m thrilled to give back. To highlight the art and spirit of giving that is as much a part of Music City as the music, all monetary awards were split with local charities. Congratulations to Universal for winning second place and Sony for taking home the trophy!
It was a great night full of amazing barbecue!!! My husband Jefferson Ross, singer/songwriter and staff writer for CURB Publishing, brought home a 3rd place finish for the label with his special mustard Georgia sauce… I hear the judges came back for seconds on the duck! Here he is pictured giving the judges (Trace Adkins, Charlie Monk, and Kerry Collins) a run down on his technique.
