Small businesses make a significant contribution to jobs and economic growth, and they disproportionately suffer significant losses in times of disasters such as hurricane. Preparation can make a difference in ensuring their quick return to productivity and profitability.

1. KNOW YOUR RISKS: What are you vulnerable to? Is your Roof intact? Are you able to easily exit your community or your business location in case of an emergency? Are you susceptible to flood depending on where you are located? It is important that your first step is to know what you and your business are vulnerable to.

2. MAKE A PLAN: Each business must have a plan in case of an emergency or a disaster occurring. That plan must also be shared not just with the key members of your staff but all your employees. Employees are critical part of executing your plan, as such they must know the plan. That plan may include protecting digital files by backing them up to the cloud in case servers are destroyed.

3.  KNOW EMERGENCY CONTACTS/ROUTES: Ensure that you are informed. Do you know where all your emergency contacts are? Do you know the number for your police station, fire station, or other emergency services? If not, this is the time to get your emergency contacts listed and shared with your employees. 

4. PRACTICE:  When was the last time you practiced an evacuation drill? when was the last time you practiced your emergency plan? Practice now, so that when time comes you will be able to execute your plan quickly and efficiently.

Click the link below for detailed guidance from small businesses that have learned how crisis proof their small businesses. 

View Webinar - How to Hurricane-proof your Small Biz for the Hurricane Season