The Tribune

As the Bahamas awaits the arrival of Tropical Storm (or Hurricane) Erika, businesses small and large must look at the organisation - systems, processes and methods - required to mitigate serious damage to life and property, and ensure their continued economic viability. The very nature of a natural disaster, be it a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, earthquake or mud slide, is that they cannot be calculated.

While it is impossible to predict a natural disaster, control the damage they cause or reverse the effects, it is quite possible to manage these. The ability to weather a natural disaster can be a life-or-death issue for businesses. Small businesses are the worst offenders, sadly, when it comes to being ill-prepared to navigate the inevitable storms that come to our shores.

There are some crucial preventative, corrective and supportive measures that companies must employ if lives and property are to be preserved during this difficult season. Actions before, during and after a storm are essential to the very survival of a company. While there are many points of concern for small businesses preparing for natural disasters, it is essential that they:

• Create a preparedness programme

• Create an emergency communications plan

• Test your business systems with frequent drills

• Build a disaster preparedness kit

A hurricane response plan will benefit your business through:

• Expediting recovery

• Employee safety

• Reduced insurance premiums

• Reduced economic loss

• Property protection

• Proactive decision-making before a disaster

Crucial in this process, as we brace ourselves for Erika and other storms, is protection of property through securing facilities and everything around them. Anything that might be vulnerable to wind or flood damage must be protected and bolstered.

Effort is also required in sheltering and protecting valuable documents and information. A trip to the hardware store, with a complete and thorough checklist, is essential. When you can almost anticipate that you will be out of electricity, running water, banking and Internet services and other essentials for the smooth operation of your business, you must take every precaution.

• NB: Ian R. Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.