| Every business has experienced disruption on some | | | | computer or power goes down, this can create an |
| level. There are a variety of factors that could affect | | | | additional problem. |
| business to the point of disrupting the daily operation of | | | | Because technology has caused most businesses to |
| work. When this happens, no one is happy. It does not | | | | be virtually dependent upon it for efficient functioning, |
| matter if the business is a small mom and pop style | | | | when it ceases to work business men and women |
| company or a large corporation. Business disruption | | | | sometimes find that they have a difficult time reverting |
| means lost revenues, unhappy clients, irritated suppliers, | | | | back to archaic methods. |
| and often panic. | | | | Always Have a Backup Plan |
| What can cause a business disruption? | | | | Most businesses today have a plan in place to |
| * This may be a simple power outage that prevents | | | | operate even when power failures occur. This can be |
| computers, phones and other business tools from | | | | a simple generator or battery back up systems. |
| functioning. | | | | However, the fact is that other businesses that you |
| * A computer failure can cause a business to be | | | | rely on may not have these types of systems in place. |
| completely unable to function because nearly every | | | | For that reason, you must have a plan in place to |
| business today is completely reliant on computers for | | | | communicate both internally and externally. |
| their information. | | | | This is where crisis management comes into play. A |
| * A key employee or owner having poor health or | | | | well prepared crisis communication policy will include |
| expiring unexpectedly can create a business disruption. | | | | methods of communication ranging from email, |
| * Economic downturn can cause production to cease | | | | computer, fax, phone, and in the event of total failure |
| for any given number of reasons. This could be an | | | | personal verbal communication. |
| inability to sell products, bankruptcy or various other | | | | It is essential that all parties involved receive clear |
| causes. | | | | concise communication regarding the business |
| * Employee strikes can cause a serious business | | | | disruption, a tentative schedule for resuming normal |
| disruption. When this occurs even employees that are | | | | business, and the events that should occur in the |
| willing to work may be unable to do so safely. | | | | meantime. Any crisis management plan that is |
| Communication Can Be Difficult | | | | successful will spend much effort in the area of crisis |
| Communication is key in nearly every situation. This | | | | communication. Those affected by the business |
| can be a problem if there are business disruptions | | | | disruption will be much more cooperative and |
| such as power outages or computer breakdowns. For | | | | understanding if they are kept informed. It is a grave |
| this reason you must have a plan for communication | | | | mistake to eliminate anyone completely from the |
| during such situations. Informing every one of the | | | | communications loop as it creates animosity and will |
| disruption and its cause is the first order of business. If | | | | work against the ultimate goals. |
| your main mode of communication is email and your | | | | |