Basic concerns of a business continuity plan

Let's think about the skeleton of a business continuity plan. We'll start with a commonsense approach that you can use for your own business - especially if you are a small or medium size business.

What are the basic day to day support functions crucial to your business?

* Telephony - outbound / inbound
* Contact database
* Computer system
* Email
* Payroll related files
* Customer data
* Paper files
* A working procedures for employees
* Physical office space
* Mode of operandi
* Customer deliverables
* Power
* Specific machinery / equipment access
* Other?

Whilst I've covered most of the fundamental considerations above you can perhaps add to the list.

In following articles we'll look at each of the above areas more closely.

Business continuity - do you have a plan?

We are all familiar with insurance. You pay regular premiums to guarantee against loss. In short you have a plan to help should things go wrong.

Some insurance types are mandatory, like car insurance, whilst others are optional or a mix of the two - for example the level of car insurance you choose.

But do you have a plan for your business should "things go wrong"? What would happen if you couldn't get access your office, computer or phone? What would happen if the BT engineer outside cut off your phone line?

Over the next few weeks we'll be exploring the whole area of business continuity plans. They don't have to cost you the earth and there are different levels of "insurance" you can opt for.

Stay tuned.