Here are seven steps you can take to prepare your small business for a disaster:

Know your risks: Determine the greatest threats to your business, the likelihood or probability for each of those threats, how severe each event could be, and the potential effect on each business function or process
Understand your operations: Decide the maximum amount of time you can endure being closed after a disaster occurs by identifying your key business functions and processes, and then determine how long you can go without being able to perform them
Reach your employees: Your employees are your most valuable asset, so make sure you know how to reach them during an emergency; have your employees review and update their contact information at least every six months, and create a special emergency email account
Contact your customers: Identify various ways to communicate with key customers, contacts, suppliers and vendors after a disaster, such as direct telephone calls, texts, emails, social media posts or announcements on your company website
Prepare your technology: Keep a backup copy of your computers' operating systems, boot files, critical software and operations manuals; maintain an updated copy of computer and Internet login codes and passwords
Evaluate your insurance: Understand your insurance policies and meet regularly with your agent or broker to make sure you understand your coverage, deductible, limits and claim filing process; consider a policy that will reimburse you for business interruptions in addition to physical losses
Update your plan: For your plan to be successful when a disruption occurs, you must maintain and update it on a regular basis; keep your employees informed of any changes as this will help when they need to put the plan into action

We never know when Mother Nature may strike, so the time to start preparing is now.

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Is your small business prepared for a disaster?

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