Is your business ready for a disruption from fire, flood or theft?
That question crossed my mind on Monday as the house next to mine began to burn.
The photograph you see here shows smoke coming from the home on the right while my home, at left, waits to learn its fate.
During the two-hour ordeal, I began to wonder if my contingency plan was in place.
Most times, your focus stays squarely on marketing automation, referrals, networking, and post sales follow-up. None of this matters if you arrive at your business to find a pile of ash and have no recovery system to set up and begin again.
I have some of my processes available if such an event occurs again, but as I stood across the street watching firemen and police handle the problem, I realized that everything that can be in place is not.
Here’s my task list for the next month.
1. Choose an online recovery program that allows me to document all details of my business, including domain names, passwords, and financial links.
2. Print two sets of the program’s information for storage in two places outside of the office.
3. Review my data on a quarterly basis, similar to a fire drill in traditional offices, to ensure that everything is up to date.
I’m sure my list will expand, but this plan will put my mind at rest and keep the business in operation until I can return to it.
By mid afternoon, the fire was under control, and I returned inside of my home and office smelling no trace of smoke. The outside structure wasn’t damaged, and although it was difficult to concentrate on my agenda, I was grateful to simply sit in my chair and begin to move forward.
How about you? If your business was suddenly disrupted, how would you access the tools that let you get back to marketing as soon as possible?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks for sharing this.. In fact it happened to me last year and i lost all my financial records along with my computer’s external drive.. but now i have learned how to deal with this kind of contingency and insured my business..
William,
What a terrible consequence for you, but I’m glad to know that you not only survived the situation but also turned your experience into a better plan for your personal and professional livelihood.
nice! thanks for posting this! glad you survived! it’s a lesson everyone should learn!
Oh my goodness Shirley! I am amazed that you managed to sound so calm about it all.
And glad there was no damage to your home or business.
Anita
Thanks so much, Anita.
My neighbors have 6+ months of renovations to finalize on their home, which is unoccupied because of the extensive damage.
I’m so sorry for them but am thankful every night and day as I continue to enjoy the environment that is my home.