Protecting your business
Why prepare?
Business continuity means planning what you would do to keep your business going during a crisis.
The crisis could be internal, for example having many of your staff off sick because of a flu pandemic. Or it could be external such as a power cut or flood affecting your premises.
If you prepare yourself for possible risks, you can reduce the impact on your business.
5 ways you can
Prepare for emergencies
1
Ensure you receive emergency alerts and warnings
2
Know where you can go
3
Plan how to contact any other employees
4
Organise your evacuation route
5
Arrange a group meeting place
Measures to take at work
How to prepare
A business continuity plan looks at the key parts of your business and how you would keep them going in a crisis. You might need to think about staff, suppliers, premises, equipment or data. Business continuity should help you react to any sort of disruptive event. However it is better to make your plans based on an assessment of the risks you actually face.
Before you start, you might want to read further information about business continuity and how to get it right.
Items to organise
Emergency pack
Business Continuity Plan
Essential contacts
Spare copies of log sheets, contact lists etc.
Building plans
Laminated action cards
High Visibility Vests
Salvage inventory
Mobile phone and charger
Pen and paper
Helpful documents and resources
HIOW Business Continuity Handbook
This booklet is for small and medium organisations, including voluntary, community and faith groups, to start thinking about business continuity and start taking the first steps on being prepared.
National Business Continuity Toolkit
What is Business Continuity Management and how to prepare your business for an emergency.
National Business Continuity Leaflet
How prepared are you? Plan for the unexpected with our business continuity leaflet
Preparing for emergencies
A quick guide to preparing yourself, your business and your community
The Business Continuity Institute
An organisation promoting high standards of business continuity
