Running a business comes with enough day-to-day challenges that most people don’t spend time thinking about the stuff they don’t see coming, but the thing is, it’s usually the unexpected that causes the most business problems. So, it’s wise to think about it a little bit more. A little preparation now could be the difference between a quick recovery and a significant setback later.
It could be a power outage, a break in, a floor, a fire, a system crash, or any number of other things, but whatever it is, unpredictability is always going to be part of running a business, and in the end, the question isn’t whether surprises will happen, it’s whether your business can handle them when they do. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about being prepared for the unexpected because it might be the best thing you can do for your business.
The Unexpected Comes In All Shapes And Sizes
We usually think about unexpected things as being disasters like fires, floods, criminal damage, and so on. But in reality, the smaller stuff can be just as unexpected and just as disruptive, so you’ve got to look out for that too. Imagine what would happen if a pipe burst in your storage room and ruined your stock, for example, and if a staff member lost a set of keys, or an important system update doesn’t do what it’s meant to. Suddenly, the day you had planned has to change, and that’s not always easy.
The point is, it’s not about predicting every single thing that can go wrong because that’s impossible, but you do need to ask yourself what would happen if something did go wrong and whether the systems, people, and resources you’ve got right now would be enough to deal with it properly. If not, it’s time to get the right things in place, just in case.
The Everyday Risks We Ignore
It’s surprisingly easy to get used to things that aren’t really working – maybe you’ve got a back door that never shuts quite properly, or you’ve been meaning to update your security cameras for a while, but you’ve not gotten around to it yet. These small details have a way of flying under the radar until they end up becoming big problems and causing major issues in your business.
Every workplace has its own quirks, and perhaps some of them, or even the majority of them, are quite harmless. But others could be exposing you to unnecessary risk, and the key is understanding that and fixing the issues early before they turn into emergencies that cost a lot more in terms of money and time. That’s why it’s important to do a walk-through of your business so you can notice any weak spots.
It’s also wise to talk to your team because they’re often the first to spot what’s not working. Then, once you’ve got the information, you’ll need to make a plan to tighten things up, and soon enough, your business will be much more prepared for the unexpected.
Communication Is Important
When things go wrong, the most common question people ask is who’s meant to be dealing with it, and what do they need to do? The fact is, if your team doesn’t know what to do, or who to call, when something goes wrong, that’s a problem in itself. Having a written emergency plan is a good idea, but what’s even better is making sure people have actually seen it, so you can be sure they know who to contact the instant something happens. At the very least, they need to know where to find the document, even if they don’t know it back to front.
This doesn’t have to be a huge thing, and it shouldn’t be complicated – it just needs to be a simple checklist, and that should be enough as long as it’s got the right contact details on it. And it’s this kind of thing, which really takes just a few minutes to put together, that can stop people panicking and get the situation resolved much sooner, ideally limiting the damage.
Building Security Has To Be Right
When people think about workplace safety, they often focus on the physical space, and things like alarm systems, access codes, and fire extinguishers, for example. And it’s true that those things are certainly important, but they’re not the only things you have to consider.
When you reflect on it, security is also about confidence, and it should be in place to not only protect you but to give people peace of mind that they’re safe while they work and that your business can take on anything that comes its way. That’s why you should consider your entry points and who has access to your business. Also, ask if people feel safe walking to their cars at night, and whether the reception area is a safe space for people as well.
The best and safest businesses are the ones that are starting to reconsider their security, and they’re moving away from reactive solutions towards better systems that keep them safe and secure day-to-day. That might mean better surveillance, better staff training, or perhaps investing in tools that let you manage everything from one dashboard. And of course, it means taking a closer look at your physical security and seeing if what you’re doing is still enough.
Don’t Forget Digital
Cybersecurity might not be the first thing on your mind, but it does need to be on your list of things to prioritize. So much of modern business runs on connected systems like email, payments, files, and schedules, and all it takes is one compromised password or one employee clicking a bad link, and things can spiral very fast indeed.
To begin with, it’s crucial to make sure your software is up to date and talk to your IT team (or bring someone in) to do a quick audit of where things might be a bit vulnerable. It’s also essential to ensure your staff understand the basics of digital safety, as training—or even a refresher course—can often be incredibly beneficial.
It’s also important to ensure your software is up to date. Consider consulting your IT team (or bringing in an expert) to conduct a quick audit of any potential vulnerabilities. It’s critical that your staff understand the basics of digital safety. Relevant training and periodic refresher courses are typically incredibly beneficial.
It’s true that digital risks aren’t always visible, but that just makes them more of a problem, and since they’re capable of shutting down your business, you need to have measures in place to handle them.
Featured image: kieferpix/iStock
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