Proactive Planning for Business Disruptions

As part of the B-ReadyNow program, we offer:

• A web-based Plan Builder component that coaches businesses through the construction of their customized business disruption plan
• Completion of the plan is supported by webcast, instructional “web-slices”, tools and templates
• The business’ customized Plan Builder is then stored within a secure repository allowing for 24/7 access from any website, especially important if business management has non-access to worksite
• The web-based Plan Builder consists of the business’ emergency/disruption plan – lists for contacts, clients, suppliers, delivery commitments and all pertinent information needed when the disruption occurs
• Should access be cut off from the main business workplace due to the disruption, the plan is web-based - thus reachable 24/7 from any site
• An interactive game to highlight 15 possible business disruptions that can affect a business’ economic health and longevity
• A mini-webcast, attached to the game as a Learning Tool, to highlight concerns related to disruptions
• Additional bonus material to address concerns arising from such disruptions

 

B-ReadyNow addresses the issues faced by small businesses – time, money and resources. We have written the program in the language of small business owners, not the complicated professional business continuity language. It is easy to use, uncomplicated and cost affordable – with explanations of the importance of a business disruption plan and coaching throughout the process.

 

As over 98% of businesses in Canada fall within the Small Business category, we believe strongly that this sector plays an important role in ensuring the stability of the Canadian economy.

 

There is no other program like it currently available – no other program currently allows for 24/7 access to a secured web-based customized business disruption plan, nor offers the support tools necessary to complete the disruption plan.

 

Due to The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness being a non-profit organization with access to the best international experts in emergency preparedness and business continuity, we understand the importance of addressing business disruptions and the threat they pose to a business’ survival. As we are a non-profit organization, our program is affordable, as the subscription rate is set at $250 CAD annually.

 

We address issues of:

• non-access to workplace site
• data loss – not only backup, but restoration of data as well
• threats and risk assessment
• critical input assessment
• site disruptions i.e. weather, electricity cut-off, sprinklers/flooding and
  loss of communication access and much more
• staff disruption i.e. personal illness, pandemic
• supply chain interruption

 

The Survey
The "Canadian Small Business Monitor - Quarterly Tracking Survey - Q3 2009" conducted by Angus Reid for American Express Monitor indicated that small sized businesses are ill prepared for local disruptive events, let alone a prolonged economic recession compounded by a disruptive event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Angus Reid survey for American Express Monitor also indicated that small businesses struggle with the understanding, implementation and maintenance of a preparedness program. Found below are four additional facts about the resiliency of small and medium business to disruptive events:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The two most common steps that a Canadian small business owner takes to protect their business in the event of a disruption are: data back-up plans and fire/flood insurance. However, fully half (49%) do not have basic fire/flood insurance and only one-in-four (25%) have made alternative staffing arrangements in the case of an emergency health situation; and

Canadian small business owners indicated that money, time and expertise are the biggest obstacles to business continuity planning.

 

This is supported by a survey conducted by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association (CME) in April 2009 that concluded:

• “87% per cent of the companies participating in the survey indicate their businesses do not have a continuity plan in place to deal with an emergency situation like a pandemic, while 90% are not sure what steps to take to safeguard their operations, including their supply chain.” (May 2009)

 

Can you afford to be a statistic?

 

Small Business Advisory Committee:
The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness' Small Business Advisory Committee, consisting of representatives from a wide variety of business sectors, continuously reviews the B-ReadyNow business disruption preparedness process and tools. Committee members include:

 

 

• Jeff Bateman, Liberty Tire Inc. – premier provider of tire recycling services
• Paul Subject, STANMECH Technologies Inc. - in the business of providing the precise application of air either heated or unheated to optimize many industrial processes
• Steve Browning, I.T. Mosaic – network design and implementation
• Michael Hill, independent rep – chemical/automotive industry
• Linda Papadopoulos, Pearson Dunn Insurance – full service independent insurance brokerage and
  risk management services
• Keith Hoey - Chamber of Commerce, Burlington 
• Pam Belgrade - Tourism Burlington