Top 10 Tips for managing emergencies
Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday 19 November 2013 published important information regarding the top 10 tips for managing emergencies.
In Australia, natural disasters can strike without warning. Although it can be difficult to respond quickly to an emergency situation, you need to prioritise your actions to make sure you minimise the impact on your business.
To help you manage your business during times of crisis, the Small Business Support Line has put together their Top 10 Tips for managing emergencies.
1. Think safety first
It’s important to listen to the advice of your local authority to find out if you need to evacuate. You should also be aware that services such as electricity and water may be cut off after receiving an evacuation order.
For emergency warnings in your area, keep in touch with your state or territory’s
State Emergency Services.
2. Know your emergency risks
To help you prepare for any immediate emergency risks, keep in touch with the government by using social media channels and related websites, such as the
DisasterWatch phone app
3. Fire and flood proof your storage
If your business location is prone to natural disasters, it may be worth investing in a weather proof safe for all your important documents.
If possible, scan your documents digitally and store them on a handy USB drive for convenience. You could also consider hiring a space in a safer location to store your important documents.
4. Assess the impact on your business
If your business is directly affected by a natural disaster, the
Business Recovery Checklist can help you to:
- assess the full impact on your business
- prioritise your efforts in your business recovery
- understand what you need to consider before you can return to business as usual.
5. Stay, pause or exit?
Once you have assessed the impact on your business, you’ll have to consider what it will take to recover your business.
If you’re not sure your business can recover, it’s a good idea to seek advice and support:
- Speak to your accountant or business advisor.
- Use the Advisor Finder to find a business advisor near you.
- Contact your nearest Business Enterprise Centre
or Small Business Advisory Services program provider .
If exiting the business is an option, our
Exiting a business How-To guide can help you to understand what is involved.
6. Re-establish your business
It’s a good idea to start a database of customers when you first begin your business. Make sure you comply with privacy regulations by keeping their data secure and letting them know what you’ll use it for.
You can use the database to let your customers know when you have recovered from emergencies.
7. Help your employees
If your business is affected by a natural disaster, it is likely your employees will be affected too.
Do you know what you need to consider when helping your employees return to work? For useful advice, read the Fair Work Ombudsman’s
Has your work been affected by floods or other natural disasters?
You and your employees can get help from
personal counselling services, and may be eligible for the Australian Government’s
Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
8. Seek advice to boost your recovery
A range of small business services can advise you on business recovery:
- Find your nearest business advisor by using our Advisor Finder search tool.
- Find your nearest Business Enterprise Centre
or Small Business Advisory Services program provider for advice and support. - Get tips on how to recover from disasters, as well as information on disaster recovery assistance currently available, by visiting the Disaster Assist
website. - Contact your industry association for industry specific information or your local council to see if there are seminars, workshops or networking events for local businesses. For contact details, use our Directory of Government and Business Associations.
9. Celebrate your recovery
Once your business has recovered from an emergency, it is important to re-connect with your customers. This could be a perfect opportunity promote your small business to your community.
Download the free
MarketMyBiz tablet application to create your marketing plan on the go! Don’t have a tablet? It’s also available as a
Word version.
10. Engage with your community
If your local area was also affected by emergencies and your business is in a position to assist, you may consider helping your local schools, charities and community centres. This is a great way to engage with your community while creating exposure for your small business.
More tips
To ensure the financial wellbeing of your business, it’s important you have a plan to manage emergencies. Have a look at these
tips on planning for emergencies from the Small Business Support Line.
Check out our
Natural disaster assistance for businesses article for more support for your business.
Read more:
here