Coping with calamity - the small business advantage.

Small businesses may think that business continuity is just for the big boys. But let's consider the following small business advantages;

# 1 Sharper perspective

When something goes wrong in big business people always say -
"when did this start happening?"
"which department was involved?"
"why on earth wasn't I told?"

When something goes wrong in a small business - you know.

# 2 Quicker reactions

"ICEBERG!"

Captain of tanker "Emergency, prepare for evacuation!"
Captain of yacht "Get your cameras out!"

# 3 Lower profile

When big business makes a mistake the newspapers, the TV and the internet make sure we all get to know about it.

Small business problems rarely get a mention.

# 4 Simplicity

Big business - imagine a house of cards

Small business - a few building blocks

#5 Getting help

Big business - "If I ask for help (mutual aid) I will look weak"

Small business - "If I ask for help I will look more professional."

# 6 Less opinions

Big business "I must try to please all of the people all of the time - shareholders, investors, regulators.."

Small business - "I do what I want, when I want"

#7 Easier testing

Big business "Let's test the continuity plan. Hire the consultants, prepare a press release, ask finance if when we can afford it."

Small business "It's a quiet Tuesday in January. Shall we test the continuity plan?"

# 8 Spreading the supply chain risk

Big business - We'll have 10,000 from 1 of you.

Small business - We'll just have 10 from 3 of you.

Of course we all face many risks in business today but whether you are big or small, just ensure your business continuity plan is strong.

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About the author - Stephen Belshaw works at Safe in the Knowledge ( http://www.safeintheknowledge.com ). We provide an online tool to check your own disaster planning arrangements and those of your key suppliers.

Editor