Articles
9 February 2012

If Disaster Strikes

12-Point Program Helps Businesses Prepare for the “Big One” and Little Ones

by Sarah Ryther Francom

09 February 2012—

Earthquakes, floods and fires, oh my. Each year, Mother Nature causes devastating disasters, forcing thousands of businesses to close. In fact, SBA (Small Business Association) research shows that at least 25 percent of businesses that close following disastrous events never reopen. And those that do struggle just to stay afloat.

For business owners who have an “it won’t happen to me” perspective, maybe you’re right and a disaster won’t cause you havoc, but maybe it will. Whether it’s a manmade or a natural disaster, business owners should plan for potential crises. But beyond preparing for “the big one,” business owners should prepare for the more common predicaments that strike, like data loss, water leakage and road construction, to name a few. These seemingly less disastrous troubles can truly be just as catastrophic as Mother Nature if business owners don’t have a plan.

According to Renee Murphy, program manager for the Department of Public Safety's Division of Homeland, business owners can save themselves serious heartache and money if they prepare for a potential disaster. Murphy says that the heavy snow received last winter is just one example of a seemingly trivial problem that turned life-threatening to some businesses. “The way the snow kept coming, we heard a lot of instances where businesses had pipes bursting, for example, causing water damage to records and computers,” she said. “All types of troubles were caused by the snow and cold snaps. An earthquake might happen or it might not, but things do happen that affect business operations.”
To help business owners prepare for and recover from disasters large and small, the Utah Division of Homeland Security’s Department of Public Safety has created the Ready Your Business 12-Point Program, a no-cost series of planning seminars that provide business owners and employees advice about how they can prepare for just about anything. The program involves a two-part series of seminars covering all 12 points, from vulnerability assessments to workplace evacuation plans to employee communications.
Launched in August 2006, the 12-Point program has received rave reviews from business owners who have gone through the course—2,000 individuals so far—as well as acclaim from states across the nation. Now, the state’s Department of Public Safety is partnering with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to take the program to the next level. The SBDC has launched a Website dedicated solely to disaster planning. Now business owners from across the state can participate in emergency preparedness seminars from the comforts of their own office or home computer, whether in Salt Lake, Monticello or anywhere in between, just by accessing the Website.
“We have had business owners around the state that couldn’t get to the workshop because of location or because it was hard for them to break away for a few hours. Now, this training will be available to anyone, anywhere,” says Murphy. “We also think younger business owners will be more likely to use the site because they really depend on online learning.”
Sherm Wilkinson of the SBDC says that the Website aims to combine the safety and disaster planning that Utah’s Department of Public Safety teaches with the business planning and advice that the SBDC specializes in. “The Website will have a lot of typical business issues available and the seminars for planning.”
Currently there are two seminars available on the site: communications and pandemic flu planning. The SBDC and Utah Department of Public Safety plan to continually add seminars and information to the Website, making it a wealthy source of useful and practical information for business owners.
While the Website aims to be the online source for planning and safety information, Murphy and Wilkinson agree that it’s only the beginning. “Besides just being able to go to the Website or come to a seminar, people will be able to seek additional advice from experts at any SBDC center,” says Wilkinson. SBDC centers are located throughout the state, including rural areas.  
While the possible disasters a business owner could plan for are innumerable, and planning for them may seem like an insurmountable task, Murphy says that the program and Website are designed with adaptable guidelines for just about any problem. “We think the [seminars and Website] will help [business owners] realize that things could happen to put their business in jeopardy, but that they can at least prepare for it.” 
 
 
 


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