𝙄𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣?

The Hurricane season is upon us; therefore, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has developed this hurricane preparedness tips, with the anticipation that it will help you minimizing the impact it can have on the operation of your business, employees, and community by extension.

A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) outlines the procedures your business should follow in the event of an emergency or natural disaster like a hurricane. It includes backup plans for your organization’s technology, business procedures, human resources, and other resources.

𝟭. 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣 𝗔 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡

Develop a comprehensive business continuity plan. A business continuity plan should include information on how to maintain operations, manage risk, and keep customers and employees safe during a hurricane.

𝟮. 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗛𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

Secure your physical assets. Secure important assets such as documents, cash registers, computers, and other equipment by moving them to higher ground or by storing them in a hurricane-proof building.

𝟯. 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗘𝗘(𝗦)

Prepare your employees. Make sure your employees understand what to do in the event of a hurricane. Provide them with training on how to properly secure the building and equipment and how to respond to an emergency.

𝟰. 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦

Make sure you have enough cash flow to cover intermediate operations. Have alternative financing options in place to cover any losses.

𝟱. 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘

Consider insurance. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your business in the event of a hurricane. This coverage should include your property and goods.

𝟲. 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗦/𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗥𝗦

Communicate with customers and vendors. Make sure your customers and vendors know how your business has been impacted by the hurricane and how you will be responding.

𝟳. 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗

Monitor the news. Keep an ear and eye on the official news sources for updates on the hurricane and other weather-related events that may affect your business.

𝟴. 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

If possible, ensure at least one member of your business receives First Aid Training to assist in the event of emergencies.

𝟵. 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘-𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡

Have a plan to reopen – This involves:

o Assess the Damage
o Create a Restoration Plan
o Contact Insurance Providers
o Reestablish Connectivity and Data
o Re-open