Sometimes, no matter how much we pray and hope that it won’t, the very worst case scenario happens, and our business suffers from some form of unforeseen disaster. In fact, just last week in Manchester in England, this very scenario occurred, with a fire ravaging a dogs’ home, leaving over 60 dog’s dead. Crowd funders have stepped up to raise over £1m, but this won’t reverse the damage caused and bring those unfortunate dogs back to life. Fortunately, the home itself was insured, but this just goes to show how even the friendliest business can succumb to disaster. This disaster shows us not only the importance of having proper insurance, but also the importance of having a plan B. So, if you had a fire, could your store stay open? Here are three steps you can take to ensure it can:
- Stop at Source
This may seem obvious now, but have a hard think: is your health and safety protocol up to scratch?
In the day to day running of a business it is easy for a policy such as this to get left behind in the hustle and bustle. If your health and safety policy (as well as your fire regulations) are up to date you’ll vastly diminish the chance of your business suffering from an accident. Plus, this way, even if the worst happens, your staff will be properly trained and your procedures will be up to date, giving you the best possible chance of pulling your business through.
- Create a Plan B
If the worst case scenario does happen and your business is damaged either by structural failings, water damage or fire, you must have a plan B. Hopefully, you’ll be covered by the insurance, but what about until you get that pay-out?
If at all possible, you’ll want to keep trading during this time, but it is more than likely that you’ll have to relocate. Companies like Neptunus can help you with this, helping you build a temporary structure for your business. It may seem extreme, but at least you’ll get to keep trading.
- Plan For the Most Extreme Circumstances
Finally, if the very, very worst happens, ensure that your business has a contingency plan… especially if you have perishable stock. Again, a temporary building can help you with this, but there are other options available to you, and it’s important that you build these into your business model. So, check to see whether your business falls on flight plans, fault lines or hurricane paths, and make sure you know what to do if the very worst happens.
