Business Continuity Management

Emergencies, disasters and other serious problems that could affect your business can and do happen at any time, as recent events testify towards.

The bombings of 7 July 2005 meant that some of the areas where the bombings occurred were cordoned off for two or three weeks, because they had become crime scenes. Some of the businesses within the areas were forced to find alternative premises for business, whilst others decided to wait until the cordons were removed.

Similarly, the Hackney Siege, which occurred between 26 December 2002 and 9 January 2003, saw about 20 businesses affected by a crime-scene area that was cordoned off. During this time the affected companies were unable to trade from their premises.

It is becoming apparent that cordons not only have a deep impact on the businesses within an affected area, but also on businesses outside of it. This is because of the effects on public movement, which reduces customer thoroughfare.

Potential Threats

The most likely threats to your business are:

• fire
• flood
• fraud
• serious road, rail or air accidents
• serious storms
• theft
• vandalism
• water escape from other sources

Any one of those disruptions can seriously affect businesses and most of these disasters are well outside the direct control of business owners.

Latest information on potential hazards that may affect Islington can be accessed from the Community Risk Register. This is an annual publication by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, (LFEPA), in cooperation with Islington Council, neighbouring local authorities, lead government departments and other emergency service organisations.

To view the Community Risk Register online, click the link under Useful Websites on the right-hand side of this page.

Taking Action

Depending on the size and nature of your business, you may require more or less comprehensive plans to be in place.

At the bottom of this page you can download a ten-minute assessment for business continuity planning, as well as the template for a Business Continuity Management plan. These have both been produced by Islington Council.

The London Prepared website takes you through a process of self-assessment, to see whether or not your business is at risk. It has advice and guidance that is tailored to all sizes of business and provides information on the principles of creating and testing a plan, as well as training your staff.

The UK Resilience website contains advice from government about emergency preparedness. It provides information to help businesses prepare for emergencies and, when they do happen, to ensure that disruption is minimised and recovery is effective, including advice on business continuity.

To go to either of the above sites, click the relevant link under Useful Websites.

It has been assessed that businesses affected by a disaster that do not have Business Continuity Management plans in place, have only a 50% chance of surviving the following 12 months.

Islington Council is keen to assist and speak to local businesses in helping develop a Business Continuity Management plan. Whether you are a large, medium or small business, it is important that you understand what the impact of an emergency could have on your business and the simple steps you can take to lessen the impact.