Is your business ready to handle a major power event? Power outages are becoming more common regardless of where your business is located. Whether it’s a manmade or natural disaster, when the power goes out do your business operations grind to a halt? If so, your business needs a continuity plan. 

These are protocols businesses follow that allow them to stay operational even if electricity isn’t flowing to the facility. Thankfully, creating a plan isn’t complicated. Here are some helpful tips for creating a business continuity plan. You can also use these tips to see if your current plan needs any improvements.

Identify Your Biggest Threat

What’s the biggest threat to your facility? We talk about power outages a lot, but businesses can face other environmental risks. Is your facility in an area prone to flooding? Do heavy rains frequently flood the bottom building floor or wash out the road leading to the facility? Maybe your biggest threat is freezing weather and frozen water pipes.

What happens when employees are unable to access the facility? Does this mean everything shuts down until the issue is resolved? Identifying the threats to your facility makes it easier to know what structural changes need to be made, which may also identify other areas that need improving like allowing your staff to work remotely when the facility isn’t accessible.

Some of the changes, like remote work, you can start implementing immediately. Others like flood-proofing an access road will take longer. The goal is to do what you can now to minimize operational disruptions.

Determine Your Power Needs

You can walk around the facility adding up the necessary wattage or amps that each piece of equipment currently uses. 

For reference, the average desktop computer uses between 65 to 250 watts of power. If you’re wondering about the amps, this translates to 0.54 to 2.08 amps. This method is going to take a long time, even if you drag your IT department into the process; instead, a better option is bringing in an electrician.

Why do you care about your facility’s power needs? You need to know this information so you can choose the right size generator.

If your facility doesn’t have a backup generator, now is the time to install one. A generator automatically kicks on when it senses a disruption in power so operations can continue without any interruptions. 

Generators can often come at a cost, but the expense is significantly lower than what you lose when the facility’s shut down. You also have a few options when it comes to generator type. You can go with a combination generator to help reduce fuel costs and do something good for the environment. We’re talking about a combination of gas and solar-powered generators.

Implement a Communication Plan

When it’s storming outside, your employees probably know there will be issues at the facility. However, what about man-made disasters? Creating an email plan is an effective way of keeping all stakeholders informed. The last thing you want is an employee trying to access the facility on a flooded road.

Your emails should be set to go out automatically when an issue pops up. Don’t rely solely on emails, texts, and social media posts also help ensure everyone stays in the loop. As you’re creating your communication plan, make sure you can access your work accounts remotely. You don’t want to wait until there’s an emergency to find out you can only post on social media from your office.

Don’t forget to include your vendors in your communication plan. Your supply network is a vital part of your business and needs to be kept up to speed on any operational interruptions.

Review Your Business Insurance Policy

Your business continuity plan should include a meeting with your insurance provider. Is your business carrying enough insurance to cover any man-made or natural disasters? Something to consider is most insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. You’re going to need a separate policy if flooding is a concern.

The thought of paying a higher insurance premium can be off putting, however, it’s significantly less than covering the damage out of your company’s profits.

Test Your Business Continuity Plan

Testing your plan doesn’t mean staging a disaster. You can pretend the power’s out; don’t start turning off breakers. Have everyone go through the protocols and see how everything goes. Run through the plan a few times until you’re positive all of the bases are covered.

Encourage your staff to ask questions. After all, keeping your business running in a disaster is a group effort.