Many small businesses protect themselves by incorporating. However, companies should also understand how to protect themselves from natural disasters. Forces of nature, like major hurricanes and earthquakes, can have a deadly impact on a small company. It could take weeks, months, and potentially even years for a small business to get back up and running again after a natural disaster.
My company is based in California. We’ve been through earth-rattling quakes and massive wildfires—all within the span of the last year. Luckily, we have been fortunate enough to stay safe, thanks to careful planning and communication.
No matter what your startup may face, here are five simple ways you can prepare your business before, during, and after a natural disaster.
1. Create an emergency operations plan
If a natural disaster struck your small business, what would happen in the days and hours that follow? Who would be in charge? Would employees be allowed to work remotely? How would you contact your team if email wasn’t an option? Does anyone know where the emergency kits are stored inside the building?
If you struggled to answer any of the these questions, it’s time to establish an emergency operations plan for your company. As you draft your plan, make sure it addresses the following areas:
- What does leadership look like during a natural disaster? Who will be in charge? How will responsibilities be delegated to employees, both on- and off-site?
- How will the business operate if its physical space has been compromised? Will there be remote work options available?
- Does your small business have emergency kits? Are the kits fully stocked and ready to go? Do employees know where to find them?
- What methods will you use to communicate with employees? Outline a wide variety of options, ranging from email to phone calls to text messaging. Make sure the contact information you have with each employee is updated on a regular basis.
- If the natural disaster occurs while you’re at work, does everyone know how to safely evacuate the building? Do you conduct earthquake or tornado drills? Much like updated contact information, it’s always a good idea to review these procedures with your team seasonally.
- How will you communicate with clients and customers? What kind of messaging will you use to keep everyone in the loop about your business?
Creating an emergency operations plan also means getting feedback from your team members. Review the plan with your employees. Make sure everyone feels comfortable with the procedures outlined, understands each part of the plan, and is ready to implement it when—and if—it’s necessary.
Other Articles From AllBusiness.com:
2. Back up important data
No matter where your business is located or what season you’re in, safely store important business paperwork. Store existing (organized!) paperwork in an off-site location and make copies as needed. Some basic paperwork you’ll need to secure include insurance claims, payroll information, and tax forms.