Many businesses have what is known as a ‘disaster recovery plan.’ A procedure that can help them get back operating as normal when a catastrophe occurs. Of course, when it comes to disasters, prevention is always better than cure, and that means you need a plan that fulfils this function as well.

Luckily, you can find some information on this, as well as what you can put in place to minimize the impact they can have on your company.

Disaster: Break-Ins

One disaster that can significantly negatively impact your business is break-ins. In fact, such a situation can cause a whole range of problems, including loss of revenue due to stolen goods and equipment.

Additionally, thieves often cause damages to your property when they break-in, meaning your premiums will increase with every instance. All of these being examples of why it’s essential to do all you can to prevent break-ins occurring.

Stop It Happening

Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to prevent break-ins from happening. The first is to make sure that the entrance and exits of your business property are secure. That means good quality doors, windows, and locks, additional bolts for added security.

An effective alarm system is a hugely important part of preventing break-ins as well. Something that means choosing one with 24 call out is a smart idea. In fact, by doing so, thieves will only have a very short time before a security guard and dog show up. This being a factor that may be enough to put them off altogether.

Many businesses also use CCTV technology to monitor such areas and add as a deterrent. After all, if there is a chance they will be captured in 4D, it can make a break in much less appealing to thieves.

There are additional precautions you can take to disguise thieves from breaking in as well. One being cashing in any money at the end of the day, rather than keeping in the premises. It’s also possible to use locked storage for any costly pieces of equipment. Even securing them to the desk or workstation, meaning it would take too long for anyone trying to make off with them.

Minimize Impact

When it comes to minimizing the effects of a break-in, the key is communication. In fact, you will want excellent communication between your alarm system and the security firm you use. Then there is the communication between Security and you, so you know what has happened, so you can then contact the authorities.

Additionally, it is crucial to notify employees and customers of what is happening if it will affect their typical working day. With that in mind having a single person act as a contact point for all of these areas can help to avoid confusion and get things back up and running as usual as soon as possible.

Disaster: Natural Disasters

Few locations in this world live without a threat of natural disasters of some form or another. Whether they be tornados, flooding, forest fires, or even earthquakes. Sadly, such situations that can frequently wreak havoc on your business in terms of your premises, stock, customer accessibility, and even employee safety.

Stop It Happening

Unfortunately, unless you have a direct line to the big man upstairs, preventing the occurrence of these types of catastrophe is going to be tough. Although, if you are in a zone that is valuable to a particular kind of disaster, there is action you can take. Such as investing in a business building with built-in protection such as these earthquake-proof skyscrapers.

Minimize Impact

There are things that you can do to minimise the impact that natural disasters can have on small business, though. One of which is to have a well-rehearsed plan in place for when the issue does occur. Something that can help to preserve the life and safety of your employees and customers, as well as ensure your assets are protected, and things can return to normal quickly.

Disaster: Accidents on Your Site

Whether it’s a simple trip and fall, or an issue that is much more serious, accidents do happen on commercial properties all of the time. Of course, this is just about one of the worst woes that can befall your small business because of all the negative impact it can have.

In fact, it’s not just the large amount of compensation that your business will have to pay out if they are found responsible for the accident. It’s also the awful PR that such an incident can cause as well. This being something that can negatively affect your business over the long term.

Stop It Happening

Happily, there are some things that you can do to avoid ever getting into such a damaging situation in the first place. One is to make sure that your business premises are checked for safety hazards regularly, and any that present are resolved immediately. Something that may include taping down extension wires, so they are not a trip hazard and marketing steps with caution tape.

Minimize Impact

One way to minimize the impact of an accident on your site is to make sure you have insurance that is suitable for your needs. Unfortunately, because there are so many types of insurance, things can get a bit confusing. A situation that often results in small businesses being covered for things they don’t need and vulnerable to issues that are relevant to them.

Happily, there are some concise and clear commercial insurance guides online that you can access. Ones that will help you to determine precisely what cover is right for your business. Then you can make sure you are protected for incidents like an accident on-site. With any compensation that you have to pay doesn’t end up coming out of your small business budget.

Disaster: Your Cash Flow Dries Up

While most of the issues dealt with in this post are about things that can happen to your small business. It is also crucial to remember that disaster can also occur from within. In fact, one issue in particular that can seem to stick with no warning is an issue with cash flow.

Of course, no cash can spell big trouble for a small business, as it leaves them unable to pay their bills, purchase new supplies, and or pay their employees. A situation, which even in the best-case scenarios will mean a massive slowdown in productivity.

Stop It Happening

With that in mind, doing everything in your power to stop the cash flow drying up is critical for the longevity of your business. In a preventive sense, this means managing your company finances in an expert and responsible way. This being something that will include strict budgets, spending projections, and regular financial monitoring and updates.

Minimize Impact

You may also be pleased to know that if you do find yourself in this situation, there are actions you can take to minimize the impact. In fact, because many small businesses struggle with cash flow because of delays in customer payment, using invoice factoring can be a smart option. The reason being that it can unlock much needed overdue capital that can be used to keep the wolves from the door.

Disaster: You Are Under Threat of Losing Your Premises

While we have already discussed what you might do if your business premises comes under threat from a natural disaster. However, we have not yet mentioned the massive disruption that can be caused if the lease on your premises runs out and cannot be renewed.

Sadly, moving an entire business, even if it is a small one from one site to another, can create a lot of issues. Such as slowing down productivity and causing chaos for months after.

Stop It Happening

To that end, keeping a keen eye on your lease contract, and being proactive about finding a new property if it is in danger of expiring is always a good idea. Alternatively, investing in your very own building could be an option, as then no landlord will ever be able to tell you to leave. Although the costs involved in this can often be prohibitive for small businesses.

Minimize Impact

When it comes to minimizing the impact of an unwanted and unexpected business move, it’s all about organization. That is, you need to be on top of the facilities it has to offer. Oh, and don’t forget to plan out how you will arrange your furniture and equipment as well.

You’ll also need to know how you will transport everything, and keep some order while doing so. Something that means assigning a single person as a move coordinator is usually best.

Summary

In summary, the kinds of disasters that can befall your business and many and varied. However, taking a proactive approach to prevent them from occurring can protect your business from catastrophe.

Additionally, putting in strategies to minimize the impact that any of these disasters can have on your business is an excellent way to ensure you are well-protected at all times. Something that can not only help to provide peace of mind, but also ensure the long term viability for your small business as well.