SMALL BUSINESS
How you can keep going after disasters
Q: The recent storms and flooding didn’t cause any damage to my business, but they sure made me worried about what I would do if something did happen. How do I keep things going if I take a hit next time?
A: Be as prepared as possible. With June bringing the start of hurricane season, there’s a lot of information out there about how to get ready.
One event you won’t want to miss is Preparing for Disaster, a workshop on the morning of Thursday, June 25 at the UH Bauer College SBDC at 2302 Fannin in midtown Houston.
Register online at www. sbdc.uh.edu for $19; parking is free.
One of the SBDC’s most popular presenters, the Small Business Administration’s Valerie Coleman, will provide tips on how to get your employees up to speed and how to meet your operational and financial obligations after a disaster. You’ll also receive a checklist to remind you of what you need to do to prepare and what to do after a disaster.
The SBA (www.sba. gov) is the agency that provides federal financial assistance to eligible small businesses in declared disaster areas.
Disasters come in all shapes and sizes and can strike at any time.
Pipes burst, electricity goes out, servers go down and the weather can be disastrous no matter what the season. It’s critical to be ready for any contingency and have a plan in place so that business can continue with minimum disruption.
Your first concern should be the well-being of your people. In case something happens that prevents employees from leaving your facility, keep supplies such as food, water, flashlights, batteries and first aid kits on hand. Practice evacuation procedures and hold fire drills.
Plan how you’ll get in touch if you’re not at work when disaster strikes. Develop a strategy for communicating with suppliers and customers. Keep lists of all your important contacts in several places in case you can’t access computer files or get to your office.
Look at your physical assets with an eye for what you should repair, reinforce or move now to make it less susceptible to potential damage. Any critical hard copy files should be in water- and fireproof containers.
Back up computer systems frequently, and keep duplicates of key data in a safe place. Better yet, move data to the cloud. Check your insurance coverage to make sure you have the right kind in sufficient amounts. And build a cash safety net in case it takes longer than expected to get back on track. Jacqueline Taylor is deputy director of the Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Network, a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business. Information is intended to provide general guidance only. Send questions to jtaylor@uh.edu.