There are fabulous resources online to reference while developing your Family Disaster Plan.  You can download forms and checklists, order supplies, and even find out how to develop a neighborhood plan.  If you are prepared for the worst, and never need to use it, is that a problem? Not for me, it helps me sleep at night knowing our family has thought these things through, especially when the kids were young. Here are a few of them for easy access:

• www.redcross.org
• www.ready.gov
• www.fema.gov
• www.americanfamilysafety.com

While it may seem like an overwhelming task to pull together all of the information and suggestions, the key is to just start. Get your entire family involved and commit to doing one step each week.  Small incremental steps will eventually lead to a completed plan. It will never be finished if you don’t start somewhere!

As mentioned in the last post, you should have two plans.  One is for what is called “shelter in place” and the other for “evacuating”.

Both of them have similar considerations, other than the quantities.  When evacuating you may be limited to what you can carry or fit in a vehicle.  The following general outline is to get you thinking, but please look up the links provided for the full details of a comprehensive plan.

1.  Shelter in Place Steps

• Safety proof your home the best possible (if in a fire area – keep brush cleared, if in a hurricane area- have plywood available to cover windows, etc.)
• Video and /or log all of your belongings in case you need to submit an insurance claim (keep a copy of this “off-site”)
• Have on hand enough food, water & medicines to be self-sufficient for a couple of weeks (Red Cross says 3 days)
• Consider toiletries and sanitation items
• Get in the practice of filling your gas tank when it hits 1/4 tank (pretend that’s the “new” empty). If power is out gas pumps won’t work
• Keep cash on hand to make necessary purchases (again, if power is down for an extended time, ATM machines won’t work)
• Have a portable radio available to hear local updates, flashlights & batteries
• Have all of your important documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies, deeds to property, banking info, photos, etc. all easily accessible in the event you need to evacuate
• Have a phone tree set up to let friends and family know you’re alright
• Have a plan in place how/when/where to meet family in the event you’re not all at home

2.  Evacuation

• Besides evaluating what can be taken from the list above also factor in:
• Changes of clothes, sturdy shoes
• Sleeping bags / bedding
• Animal crates for pets (plus their food and medications)
• First aid supplies
• Think short term supplies and long term, depending on the circumstance
• Something comforting whether it’s a favorite book, photos or stuffed animal for the kids

I encourage you to PLEASE have this discussion with your family.  Let me know how it goes and where you are in the process.  Once your family and home are accounted for, we’ll look at business continuity planning so you can focus on abundance and have a thriving business even if things are turbulent around you.

Until next time,  J.
“Take control of your destiny or someone else will”

When I say DR-BCP, what I’m referring to is a Disaster Recovery Plan, but a more positive reference is a Business Continuity Plan.  Regardless of what terminology you use – remember to add water!

Those of you who have followed along for awhile already know I also have another business besides my online marketing.  For those of you who are new here, we provide project management services to companies who are relocating their facilities (offices, warehouses, & IT Labs), but we additionally assist with the development of operational procedures and business continuity plans. Recently, I realized the last couple of posts on the subject didn’t start at the beginning….so let’s backtrack.  This is information for all ages, and for those working or retired.  While it sounds like common sense, it’s amazing how many people do not have a preparedness plan.

I strongly believe the beginning point of your planning should focus on your home and personal/family plans. Doing so will provide you with a peace of mind, knowing that if you ever need to implement them, you’ll be ready and not scrambling around.  Ensuring the safety of your home and family will then allow you to focus on your business and implementing those continuity plans without distraction.

No matter where you live in the world there are natural disasters that could potentially affect your routines.  We’ve seen in the news as of late all of the earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes.  Also in the news are the extremists predicting doom & gloom because of the economy.  While I don’t think you need to be a survivalist, I do think you should prepare to be self-sufficient for up to a couple of weeks.  In the event of a power grid failing and/or transportation routes affected, your pre-planning will allow your family to be less stressed and reactionary.

Here are some considerations when creating your plan (we’ll only discuss natural disasters for this exercise):

• Assess what natural disasters could potentially occur in your area
• You will need 2 plans – one to remain at home and one in the event you need to evacuate
• You will want to consider all family members living in your home when developing your plan- children, adults, pets
• You will want to think through what to do if you’re all home or how you will communicate / meet up if you’re not
• You will want to have supplies on hand prior to an emergency – make a list and start acquiring them (Not just food and water, but possibly building materials as well)

In the next post we’ll review some specific steps to take in developing your plan.

Oh yeah, regarding adding water to the list…. I have always lived in suburban neighborhoods.  If the power went out, but the water lines not affected we could still get water.  Now, the last couple of years we’ve lived in the country, with a well.  If our power goes out the well can’t pump water to the house.  We had to revisit getting a generator.  So another key to a good plan is to review it periodically and make changes/updates when necessary.

Until next time,  J.
“Take control of your destiny or someone else will”

Having followed the first two steps in beginning your contingency plan; you have created a company profile, recorded the company history and disclosed website domain and hosting information. Now you need to document three more areas:

• Establishing Your Website’s Value
• Listing Your Intellectual Property
• Listing Your Relationships

Your website is your asset and you should not only estimate its value, but also relate how it should be dissolved if that need be. If you have someone in mind to handle this task, then by all means, suggest that person in your contingency plan. Consider, too, recommending an appropriate person or persons that can provide a legitimate appraisal in the event that such direction is taken.

Recording your intellectual property includes making a list of all your assets and liabilities. Be sure to describe all property of value that may be licensed to others or has a potential to become income and don’t forget to include any obligations or limitations that you may have for intellectual property (example: software, articles, images) for which you own a license.

A relationship inventory involves simply making a list of full names, titles, and companies of all the people that you deal with and that are involved in your business in some way. Start with employees and business partners and move on to contractors, suppliers and associates.  Don’t forget to include your attorney, accountant and insurance agent(s).

What next? Meet with those that are most important to you, those that will take over some of the tasks outlined in the plan, and have them read the document. Make changes to add or clarify information and then give a copy of your contingency plan to a trusted person, place a copy with your will / living trust and other pertinent papers and be sure to update the document annually. Your contingency plan will save massive frustration and money in the event that something happens to you and will assure that your business is cared for and continues on in your absence.

There will be additional steps, so be sure to check back for them!

Until next time,  J.
“Take control of your destiny or someone else will”

You have decided to take steps to preserve your online business in the case that something suddenly happens and you are not able to manage it. You have started the first steps in creating a Contingency Plan to assure  that important assets and vital information within your business  aren’t lost and you began with creating a company profile and then recording the company history.

Now is the time to record data necessary for anyone that takes over the management of your business. Things that would be difficult to find on their own, but essential in continuing a profitable venture. Let’s begin with your website.

There are certain areas of information about your website that are necessary to disclose to anyone that will be managing your business in your absence.

We’ll start with the domain registration. This information needs to be recorded,

• Beginning with the place of registration and then,
• Followed by all essential information that is needed for accessing the domain control panel,
• Consider including a detailed explanation as to why it is necessary to maintain the registration and,
• Provide a detailed account as to how this should be done.

Add to this the hosting information…

• The where and,
• How the domain is hosted and,
• How to access this control panel,
• Take time to write, in detail, how and when the hosting is to be paid and the importance of doing so.

Next, create a revenue model which will describe the various income streams of your business and an explanation of your shopping cart provider and suppliers.

These essential steps will assist in the survival of your business in the case of your sudden absence and minimize your damages.  (There will be additional steps, so be sure to come back to read those.)

Until next time,  J.
“Take control of your destiny or someone else will”

You’ve worked hard to establish a thriving online business, but what happens to it if suddenly you are not there to manage it? A sudden illness, injury or worse yet death could leave your company stranded. You need to protect your investment with a Contingency Plan to assure  that important assets and vital information within your business is not inadvertently disposed of. One of the first steps in constructing a contingency plan is to create a company profile and record the company history.

When creating the company profile simply describe your online business in as much detail as possible. Highlight key elements that led up to your success and then explain how these elements must be maintained in your absence in order to see continued growth and sustainability of your company.

Recording the company history encompasses making a written record of all primary assets of your business. You can start with your initial website registration and work your way up to the present time. Consider including each previous owner name and proof that that they legally conveyed the property. Then be sure to attach  this document to any documents that show to proof of payment by you.

You’re on your way! The first efforts to sustaining your business are complete.  (There will be additional steps, so be sure to come back to read those.)

Until next time,  J.
“Take control of your destiny or someone else will”