BERG’s 10 minute plan is designed to help small to medium-sized businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, such as flooding, cybercrime and civil unrest.

Take 10 minutes to help prepare your business

Whether you are a large, medium or small business disruptions can happen anywhere at any time. Disruption to people (customers and staff) and logistics (supply chain, utilities and transport) are the most frequently occurring problems

Unfortunately, small and medium-sized businesses are often more vulnerable and major disruptions can often prove fatal. Taking time to plan and prepare your business can save you time and money when something untoward happens.

“I have no time to prepare my business for potential disruptions”.

“It might not happen to my business, so what is the point”?

The biggest barriers to being prepared are not making time and thinking it will not happen to your business.

It happens to many businesses and those without plans learned the hard way.

Download the 10 Minute Plan and follow the three simple steps.

Following our straight forward practical steps could lessen the impact on your business, and reduce insurance premiums and claims.

1. Emergencies

Consider the following impacts on your business

Access to site and premises prevented
Disruption from external events such as a terrorist incident, flooding or fire
Critical equipment fails or a major supplier goes out of business
Loss of electricity, water or gas
Disruption to key transport networks
Key staff are absent at the same time
Burgled or vandalised office
IT and telecommunications outages

2. Plan ahead

What could you do to protect your business?

Consider insurance limits – excess and coverage terms and conditions, watch for small print and under insurance

Check live alerts – sign up for flood alerts and Cross Sector Safety and Security Communications
Horizon scanning – keep up to date with national and local issues
Download the British Red Cross Emergency App
Check your flood risk – coastal, river, rainfall/run-off
Consider flood protection – raise electrical/valuable items and implement flood measures
Follow the advice on the official National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) website
Show the government’s ‘Stay Safe’ video to your staff for advice on what to do in the event of a weapons attack
Check the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) website for advice on physical security, personnel security and cyber security & information
Understand site – evacuation routes, flood plans, chemical plans and safe spaces
Consider back-up utilities – energy, water and communications
Create checklist for new starters and leavers – new passwords, access codes and keys
Follow data protection guidance
Back-up computers and key documents - keep copies safe / offsite
Undertake weekly security checks – IT / Fire Alarm / Safety System / Burglar Alarm
Ensure staff understand colleagues’ job roles to cover for absences
Consider Health & Safety Staff Training including First Aid and Metropolitan Police Project Griffin Training if in London
Create contact list of current and alternative suppliers
Document key processes / procedures
Share resilience plans and identify ways to support neighbouring businesses

3. Communicate

How should you communicate?

Capture Business Emergency Contacts – download the 10 Minute Plan and use the template for documenting key contacts
Detail important information and contacts, including staff, emergency, customers and suppliers
Communicate to staff
Regularly review and update contacts (every 3 to 6 months)
Keep contacts in a safe place / offsite
Regularly test and check key elements of the plan (every 3 months to 6 months)
Create an emergency ‘grab bag’ – key documents, plans and contact details

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