Disruptions rarely come at a convenient time, and for many businesses, recovery is where the real challenge begins. How quickly you can respond often determines how well your business weathers the impact.
The difference often comes down to preparation. A clear recovery plan helps protect your income, support your employees, and continue serving your customers when it matters most.
Build Your Business Continuity and Recovery Plan
Preparation sets the foundation for how your business responds and recovers from a disruption. A strong business continuity planning process should include these key steps:
Establish a recovery team.
Designate a primary and backup crisis manager and define each person’s role clearly so decisions can be made quickly during a disruption.
Identify critical business functions.
Determine which operations are essential and outline the people, resources, and steps required to restore them as part of your disaster recovery plan.
Secure an alternative location.
Plan where your business can operate if your primary location becomes unusable, and identify a central point for coordinating recovery efforts.
Create a communication plan.
Define how you’ll communicate with employees, vendors, suppliers, key customers, and media during a disruption to maintain business continuity.
Store your plan offsite.
Keep a secure, accessible copy of your business continuity plan—including key contact information—in an offsite or cloud-based location.
Here are a few resources to help strengthen your business continuity and disaster recovery planning efforts:
- Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Developing an Emergency Plan for Your Business
- Proactive Crisis Management
What to Do After a Business Disruption
Preparation gives you direction. When a disruption happens, your response in the first hours and days will shape how quickly your business recovers.
Prioritize safety.
Protect people and property from further harm. Report damaged power or gas lines immediately. Before reopening your space, have a contractor or structural engineer confirm the building is safe. If needed, shift operations to your alternate location to maintain continuity.
Report your losses promptly.
Contact your insurance advisor as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Be ready to share when and how the loss occurred. Keep records of any expenses related to the loss and document all communication, as this can help move the insurance claims process forward more efficiently.
Evaluate damages thoroughly.
Inspect all areas of your property and document damage to structures, equipment, inventory, and materials. Photos and video can help capture details and support your claim.
Make temporary repairs.
Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as covering roof openings, boarding windows, and securing unsafe areas. If you relocate, communicate your temporary location to customers and suppliers.
Begin cleanup carefully.
Cleanup efforts should reduce risk, not create new hazards. Use appropriate protective equipment and consider professional services if recommended. Coordinate with utility providers to restore sanitation systems, gas, and power safely.
Moving Forward with a Stronger Business Continuity Plan
A disruption can test every part of your business. With a business continuity plan in place, you’re not starting from scratch—you’re moving forward with clarity and direction.
If you haven’t reviewed your disaster recovery plan recently, now is the time to make sure it reflects how your business operates today.
If you’d like a second set of eyes on your plan or help identifying gaps in your business continuity strategy, reach out to your Leavitt Group team to start the conversation.
