Small business owners face a largely uphill battle when it comes to maintaining strong disaster recovery and continuity programs, as so many different pieces of the puzzle can be missed. What’s more, the demands of these strategies, as well as the best practices and relevant technologies, continue to evolve rapidly as time goes on, meaning an optimal program today will not likely remain as such without persistent evaluations and refinements.
Luckily, entrepreneurs can take a more modern approach to DR through the use of advanced cloud-based technologies, as well as support from managed service providers who know what needs to be done from years of experience. Additionally, there are plenty of tips and tricks offered through the media given how hot of a topic this has been in the public and private sectors for years now.
The fundamentals
Stanley Nakano, the United States Small Business Administration’s Region VIII Administrator, recently published a blog in the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan that explained some of the fundamental best practices of continuity strategy creation and execution. According to Nakano, roughly one-quarter of entrepreneurial firms will not be able to recover from a major disaster, which is why getting the basics of continuity right is so important.
Make sure your plan is 100 percent functional at all times.
The administrator suggested leaders work hard in the evaluation processes that preclude planning and work to uncover the demands of the business, while also focusing on ensuring that the entire supply chain is fortified and insurance coverage reflects the company’s risks. Nakano stressed the importance of communication during these events, and urged small business owners to create an exhaustive plan that will keep all internal employees, external suppliers and others on the same page in the event of a disaster.
Finally, he argued that the appointment of contingency-based leadership is essential, and that these particular individuals should be well-versed in the finer points of the continuity plan.
Maintain focus
Disaster recovery and continuity performances are reliant upon persistence among managers and leaders, and keeping up with trends, testing, refinements and new technologies can truly benefit operations. Remember, the very same technologies used for recovery and continuity purposes can also be a boon to daily operations, so consider deploying these options as soon as possible in such a way that aligns with various corporate objectives and needs.