The Cabinet Office recently launched its business continuity guide, in a joint effort along with the Business Continuity Institute they have launched a survival guide for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
‘Business Continuity for Dummies’, a survival guide for SMEs.
This guide which has been produced with assistance from the BCI and the Emergency Planning Society (EPS), and is intended to aid business owners to confidently manage challenges faced.
Chloe Smith MP – Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform, highlighted the importance of SMEs to the greater economy stating;
“The resilience of SMEs matters. SMEs are the life-blood of the economy, providing employment and growth, and critical services and products to larger companies”.
Ms. Smith continued in support of the guide; “The quicker (SMEs) can be up and running again after problems hit, the quicker whole communities can recover”, she explained.
The guide tips a hat toward the fact that that smaller businesses simply don’t have the money, time, or resources to prepare for disruptions. However, the cost of dealing with problems when they do arise can be significant.
Simple and affordable suggestions.
An example sample includes advice for ‘achieving rapid results’. It makes suggestions such as identifying possible risks to business premises and setting up an emergency skills register.
Tens of other organisations representing or supporting SMEs have come together for the first time, to help protect the health of SMEs. One such organisation, Business in the Community (BITC) has registered their support.
Jim Haywood, Executive Director of Business Emergency Recovery Group:
“Business in the Community (BITC) has been pleased to be involved in the development of this important Guide”
“Prevention is always better than cure – planning ahead and building in resilience is what responsible and successful businesses do. This Guide will be an enormous help with that”
