4-Step Business Plan for Surviving a Crisis

One of the most devastating ordeals for your business may be guiding your company through a serious crisis, such as a hurricane. When a business suffers a crisis, the thought on employees’ minds is, “Do I still have a job?” In addition, this is the time when your customers will consider taking their business elsewhere, especially if the emergency is local and you have customers all over the country.

Four-Step Plan

This four-step crisis action plan will help your company weather the storm and emerge from the crisis stronger than before. Using these tips to make preparations now means you can immediately swing into action if an emergency happens.

1. Identify the key revenue-generating operations for your business. Prioritize the key operations, starting with those that you cannot survive without. Put non-revenue generating operations on hold until the crisis has passed.
2. Strip the key operations down to their essential functions. Figure out how to get the same tasks done without all the frills. For example, you may need to perform certain tasks without the aid of computers. Create a step-by-step plan for taking orders and creating invoices with paper and pen. You will lose efficiency, but if you continue to perform key operations, your chances of keeping the business running are high.
3. Provide an alternate to office space. If you are forced to evacuate your office or factory, it will be challenging to find alternative space where you can conduct business. Make sure you plan ahead by having a space prepared, whether it is someone’s home or a town hall.
4. Create an employee assistance program. Have a plan for employees to be able to travel to the alternative workspace or to work from home. Help employees deal with the emotional fall-out by providing on-site trauma counseling. Be open with your employees about the nature of the situation, as you will all need to pull together to overcome the crisis.

Share this four-step plan with your employees and create a task force for finalizing and documenting the details of the plan. If employees know that you’re prepared for anything, they won’t be as likely to panic if a crisis occurs. With preparation and a confident mindset, your business can survive a crisis.