If disaster strikes—be it fire, flood, cyber-attack, power outage, or disease outbreak—what will you, as a business owner, do?
Most people were caught off guard by COVID-19. And since then, business owners are busy with new safety protocol, staff shortages, and financial pressures. Thinking about another disaster feels overwhelming.
The Kootenay and Boundary regions are prone to forest fires and floods. Natural disasters can trigger further disruptions with power outages and road blockages. And as we come out of the first wave of COVID-19 infections, what would a second wave mean for your business?
We recognize that this is an unsettling time for entrepreneurs, so instead of focusing on the many things beyond your control, let’s focus on what you can control: building a strong, well-thought-out plan so if another disaster strikes, you’ll be ready.
Using the provided business continuity planning template, instructor Colin O’Leary helps you create a customized, effective plan that prepares you for disasters, guides your response to the disaster, and ensures you are poised to recover.
The future is uncertain. The best way to face that uncertainty, is with a well-made plan.
Business Continuity Planning Workbook:
Download the Business Continuity Planning workbook to get started.
Other Pandemic Preparedness & Business Continuity Resources
Guides & Planning Tools
- Pandemic Preparedness for Business guide, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Planning for Coronavirus: A Guide for Business and Organizations, British Columbia Economic Development Association
- Pandemic Preparedness, Government of British Columbia
- Emergency Plan for Small Businesses. PreparedBC
- COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide. CanadaOne
- Business Continuity and COVID-19: Key Considerations for Small Businesses in BC [pdf] Small Business BC
Checklists
- Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- COVID-19 Update (Checklists, Guides and Tools). Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
Financial Planning
- Cash Flow and Working Capital During Challenging Times. Greater Vancouver Board of Trade: Huey Lee, Partner, KPMG, on Finance
Other Resources
- Regularly updated Google Doc: #COVID19 Resources for BC Businesses BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA)
- Coronavirus and small business: keeping you and your employees safe. Canadian Federation of Independent Business
- A risk management guide for your business during COVID-19. BC Business
Commercial Insurance & Leases
- Insurance Bureau of Canada: COVID-19 and business insurance: how is coverage triggered
- Benchmark Law Corporation: COVID-19 and your Lease
Specific Sectors
- Restaurants Canada: Crisis Preparedness & Business Continuity [PDF]
COVID-19 Business Resources
Has your business been impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus? Help is out there. We are working to connect you with the resources you need.
