
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
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Access to site and premises prevented
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Disruption from external events such as a terrorist incident, flooding or fire
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Critical equipment fails or a major supplier goes out of business
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Loss of electricity, water or gas
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Disruption to key transport networks
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Key staff are absent at the same time
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Burgled or vandalised office
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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
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Check live alerts – sign up for flood alerts and Cross Sector Safety and Security Communications
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Horizon scanning – keep up to date with national and local issues
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Download the British Red Cross Emergency App
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Check your flood risk – coastal, river, rainfall/run-off
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Consider flood protection – raise electrical/valuable items and implement flood measures
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Follow the advice on the official National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) website
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Show the government’s ‘Stay Safe’ video to your staff for advice on what to do in the event of a weapons attack
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Check the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) website for advice on physical security, personnel security and cyber security & information
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Understand site – evacuation routes, flood plans, chemical plans and safe spaces
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Consider back-up utilities – energy, water and communications
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Create checklist for new starters and leavers – new passwords, access codes and keys
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Follow data protection guidance
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Back-up computers and key documents - keep copies safe / offsite
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Undertake weekly security checks – IT / Fire Alarm / Safety System / Burglar Alarm
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Ensure staff understand colleagues’ job roles to cover for absences
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Consider Health & Safety Staff Training including First Aid and Metropolitan Police Project Griffin Training if in London
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Create contact list of current and alternative suppliers
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Document key processes / procedures
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Share resilience plans and identify ways to support neighbouring businesses
3. Communicate
How should you communicate?
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Capture Business Emergency Contacts – download the 10 Minute Plan and use the template for documenting key contacts
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Detail important information and contacts, including staff, emergency, customers and suppliers
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Communicate to staff
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Regularly review and update contacts (every 3 to 6 months)
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Keep contacts in a safe place / offsite
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Regularly test and check key elements of the plan (every 3 months to 6 months)
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Create an emergency ‘grab bag’ – key documents, plans and contact details
Download BERG's 10 minute plan with relevant information for Scotland.
Preparing for different types of emergency
Find out more about preparing for different types of emergency, including.
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IT and fraud
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Flooding
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Illness and pandemic flu
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Terrorism
Further information
Read more on...
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How the government prepares for emergencies
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National Risk Register
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British Red Cross
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Cross-sector Safety & Security Communications