Extreme weather can wreak havoc on your business. Tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, windstorms, flash floods, snowstorms, and blizzards — are you prepared for any of these to strike?
Taking precautions against Mother Nature is always a smart business move because nobody wants to be caught in a financial nightmare. If you haven’t already, it’s about time you mapped out an emergency plan to best prepare your company for sudden eventualities. Here are six tips that will help you weather-proof your business:
1. Protect your workers and business property
Identify weather risks your business is most vulnerable to and design an emergency action plan to safeguard your employees and your commercial property. Safety procedures include keeping emergency booklets in common areas and designating offsite locations where your employees can assemble and seek shelter. To minimize damage on your property, install safety systems to shield windows, structures, electronic equipment, and inventory from debris and water damage.
2. Prevent file and data loss
If you haven’t taken that digital leap yet, now is the right time to do so. With cloud storage systems, storing and accessing files and data is easier than ever. Make sure to schedule regular backups of data and records, including photos, videos, important documents, customer contracts, and inventory.
3. Keep communication lines open
Natural disasters can overload or knock out power, phone, and internet. However, you can still devise ways to communicate with your employees and customers amid an emergency. Develop a “phone tree” (a system for delivering a message to a large group of people) or utilize mass texting apps to update them about the status of your business operations. You can also alert them through social media posts or emails.
4. Run your business remotely
Disasters can cripple a business. But having a business continuity plan in place will help you to continue serving your customers in times of disruptions to operations. This includes setting aside funds for recovery efforts, rotating staff, renting a temporary office space, contacting third-party organizations for assistance, and even allowing employees to work from home.
5. Stash away emergency necessities
Aside from investing in a backup power source, you should also stockpile emergency items such as flashlights, external batteries, first aid kits, food, and water. These are essential when staying put in the office is safer than going home.
6. Make sure your business carries up-to-date insurance
The elements can impact everything in your business. Stay ahead of the weather by periodically reviewing and your business insurance with your agent, and adjust coverages when necessary. This will help ensure your business has adequate protection.
Severe weather cannot be avoided, but its impact on your revenue, costs, and profits can be mitigated by putting comprehensive measures in place.