(Disaster Recovery Plan) How To Keep Your Business Going When The Unexpected Happens

Every single business – no matter its size, stature or the experience it possesses – has potential for disaster. A downturn in annual reports, an ominous legal challenge or the loss of someone vital can be devastating for a business.

If it can happen to any business and spawn out of nowhere, how do we stay on the straight and narrow? Even catastrophic moments can be navigated with the right tools.

What is a Disaster Recovery Plan?

Also known as a DRP, a Disaster Recovery Plan is exactly how it sounds – a plan to recover from a disaster.

A DRP is a structured approach for an organisation to resume work after an unplanned incident. It focuses on the business’s functioning IT infrastructure; with a view to resolve data loss and recover system functionality from an incident.

Keeping your business going when the unexpected occurs can be aided by these five tips:

1. Plan for the worst: That nightmare scenario may be in the pipeline, but it need not be something that compromises your whole business. It pays to be as proactive as possible, even when things are going well. Take the time to consider the dreaded words: what if? When those ‘what ifs’ become ‘what nows’ you may be equipped with an answer that can help. You can do this by creating a Disaster Recovery Plan.
2. Seek clarity: The worst-case scenario will hit you hard. It can be difficult to be clear on where you stand, what caused the issue and how to move forward. Establish the facts and gather your most trusted people. From here you can plan for the next day, week, month and year with more confidence.
3. Don’t be afraid of resetting goals: Improved margins and profits can seem like the only outcome when things are going well. Costs can instantly shoot up or a key member could leave and it could all begin to crumble. The best protection is to never be afraid of recalibrating. While you may once have been challenging the biggest companies in your area, you may need to reassess and return stronger in the future to retain your business.
4. Keep your data and keep on analysing: Facts, as mentioned earlier, are vital. Data and statistics will allow you to seek advice from others. You can find the long-term answers with data and use them to keep you on track. Deep down in the numbers, you may just discover a nugget of hope for the future.
5. Stay positive: It is easy to panic, but there is good news on the darkest of days. Don’t make hasty decisions and find time to escape the business world to allow you to come back with a clearer mind. Retain those loyal customers and remember their importance – you may just rely on their trust in the coming weeks and months.

For further discussions about anything from payroll, HR and accounting, speak with our team at Fortify Consultants or contact us for a consultation.