| You never know when disaster will strike. | | | | Create and maintain a list of clients and their |
| Often we are at the whim of Mother Nature and | | | | contact information. Be sure you're able to access |
| sometimes the disaster may be man-made. | | | | important dates and deadlines. |
| Whatever the cause (hurricane, flood, tornado, | | | | * Use off-site secure servers for your computers |
| earthquake, fire, terrorist attack, power outage, | | | | if possible. It goes without saying that computers |
| ice, wind, etc) it's best to be prepared to so that | | | | should be backed up daily, regardless of the |
| you, your office and your home are as safe and | | | | system you use. |
| secure as possible. | | | | * Inventory your firm's furniture and equipment. |
| Here are a few tips that may help you with | | | | Keep detailed records of the dates of purchase |
| disaster planning and recovery: | | | | and cost. |
| * Have a plan. You may not be on the West | | | | * Take pictures...both before and after. Use these |
| Coast, situated by a body of water, live in | | | | pictures to document the condition of your firm's |
| Tornado Alley or be in the path of hurricanes, but | | | | premises before the disaster and then to |
| you cannot dismiss the necessity of having a | | | | document the damage. This will be crucial for |
| disaster preparedness plan in place. This is not a | | | | settling insurance claims. |
| simple process. It will take a lot of time and effort | | | | * Have the ability to work remotely. Your clients |
| but it's important to do this is NOW, not when the | | | | will still have business you must attend to and you |
| disaster is upon you because then it will be too | | | | will need the means to do that. |
| late. This plan should be in writing and provided to | | | | * Insurance is vital. Not only do the firm's |
| all employees. It should also be reviewed and | | | | premises, furnishings and equipment need to be |
| updated on a regular basis. | | | | adequately insured, but business interruption |
| * Keep your employee contact information | | | | insurance is also a necessity. Your firm's largest |
| current and establish a communication plan that | | | | losses could be to its income stream. |
| will work in the event of disaster so that | | | | * Identify your plan's successes and failures. |
| employees will receive information about the | | | | Following a disaster, you must take a look at |
| status of the office and when they should return | | | | what worked with your plan and what needs to |
| to work. Consider the fact that power may be | | | | be fixed before the next disaster strikes. |
| out and phone lines could go down. How will they | | | | Your challenge: Arrange a meeting immediately |
| get this information if that occurs? | | | | with key staff members at your firm and begin |
| * Keep lists of vendors and suppliers. This list | | | | preparing your disaster plan. If you already have a |
| would include the entities in charge of your | | | | plan in place, review it to be sure it's up to date. |
| banking, your payroll and bookkeeping systems, | | | | The same goes for your home: have a plan, |
| as well as your computer systems. | | | | pictures, contact information and adequate |
| * If records are destroyed, will you be able to | | | | supplies. You cannot fool Mother Nature. |
| access client information and contact clients? | | | | |