A discussion about the process, steps and options of starting a new business

As Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ernesto approaches, it seems like a good time to bring up emergency preparedness.

While all of us don't live in the path of a hurricane, there are many different kinds of natural disasters.  They can happen anywhere, sometimes with little or no warning.  Although none of us wants to be a victim of fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, or any other occurence, being prepared should any of these befall us is critical.

With everything else a new business owner has on their mind, it's easy to put disaster planning on the back burner, but this is a big mistake.  Not being prepared for an emergency can put your company out of business.

What steps can you take to minimize damage to and disruption of your business?

• Keep all important papers in one place.  By doing so, if you are forced to leave your workplace, you will be able to grab one folder or box instead of wasting critical time searching for these documents. 
• If possible, store copies of important papers offsite.  This will make them easier to replace if they are lost or damaged.  One way to do this is to scan your documents and store them on a remote server.
• Have a disaster plan.  Think about the ways a disaster might affect your building, your customers, and your employees.  Build your disaster plan around the impact to each.
• Talk to your insurance agent to be sure that you have adequate coverage.
• Have phone lists of employees and key customers with you.  Designate a phone number for employees to leave a message saying they're safe. 
• Use surge protectors and battery backup systems to protect electronic equipment and prevent a computer crash in case of power spikes or outages.
• Arrange call forwarding for your main business line.  If you can't get to your office you will be able to program the phones to ring elsewhere.
• Keep emergency supplies handy.  At minimum you should have a flashlight and first aid kit.
• Backup computer data frequently.  Keep a backup CD offsite, or use a data storage service such as Mozy.

You can find more information, including posters and brochures for your business, at the Ready Business website.