Business continuity plan an essential tool for SMEs
A SUCCESSFUL local businesswoman has stressed the importance of seeking professional assistance when running a business to ensure that the business grows as many times things are overlooked in the process.
According to Raiwaqa Bakery owner Atela Yee a business continuity plan teaches any SME or business how to be prepared in times of a natural disaster or a pandemic.
A statement from Business Link Pacific (BLP) said Ms Yee approached BLP last year while the country was feeling the impact of the pandemic crisis.
According to BLP Raiwaqa Bakery started in 1999 and has two branches in Suva and Nausori, specialising in bread and baked goodies and over time they have diversified to other products such as cakes, pastries, roast chicken and cooked food.
“We were advised on many things such as when there is a lockdown what do we do.
“We were taught to be prepared with masks and sanitisers as well as in training our staff, differentiating who is to come to work and being considerate to those who have children and elderly at home to excuse them from work during such times.
“We have learnt to document things which we then share with our staff so that when things occur, we are organised rather than running around.
“I feel with the pandemic we are well prepared especially with our ingredients, if we are getting them ordered we now order more than the usual so that we don't run short given that sometimes the products are not available,” said Ms Yee.
Ms Yee said BLP manager Ramesh Chand highlighted areas of the business that needed improvement and they included marketing and human resources.
In 2018 they opened a coffee shop next to their bakery in Nausori which sells hot and cold drinks and food.
She adds that businesses should take advantage of the assistance that BLP is providing as it has assisted her and she continues to stay in contact with BLP.