Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72343
visit abmp.com Depending on the location of your practice and other factors, the odds of you being the victim of a catastrophic loss from wind, water, or fi re may be greater or less than average. However, every massage therapist faces some degree of risk of a crippling disaster. The key to minimizing that risk is a well-thought-out plan of action in the event that disaster strikes. Here are steps you can take to help you and your practice avoid or recover from a catastrophic loss. PREPARE A DISASTER AND RECOVERY PLAN "Every business needs to have a disaster preparation and recovery plan, even if it's located in a relatively low-risk area for natural disasters," says Gene Fairbrother, an expert in disaster planning. Your plan shouldn't be a cumbersome project, according to Fairbrother. "To be effective," he says, "it should be a model of clarity, fully understood by every employee." Whether it's in writing or not, it's important to refresh your plan periodically. "Some basics of a disaster plan seldom change," he says. "For example, your evacuation destination, or the fi rst things you'd grab on your way out if you had to evacuate in a hurry. However, other things do change, like contact information on clients and suppliers, and places to fi nd replacement equipment. Review your disaster plan at least once a year to make sure it still works for your practice." FOLLOW YOUR DISASTER PLAN "It's important to make your disaster plan a permanent part of your business philosophy," Fairbrother says. "However, it often takes another set of eyes and ears to point out the cracks in a plan, or to spot missing components. That's why you should share it with someone else, especially your employees, if you have any. They may fi nd a fl aw or an important step that you missed. "Beyond the possibility that you might owe some employees a paycheck, a business owner has little or no legal obligation to employees if the company closes due to a disaster," he says. "Still, you need to make your employees part of your disaster plan. Failing to do so will hinder your ability to get the business back up and running if the need arises." Follow these steps to prepare for a natural disaster. Maintain an Off-Site Backup of All Records. According to one estimate, 90 percent of all business records are now electronic. That makes protection and recovery of vital business information easier, provided a careful system of backing up is in place. Most professionals in practice have learned the importance of backing up information on their computers, but not everyone does a complete job. If you're one of the 10 percent who still has paper records, you might want to think about updating your practice and ensuring you have backup copies of those papers stored in a safe place. Stefan Dietrich, PhD, coauthor of Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery: A Small Business Guide (John Wiley & Sons, 2002), stresses the importance of maintaining an up- to-date backup copy of critical data at an off-site location. "Unattended, automated backups are better than using CDs or fl ash drives," he says. "Typically, most people don't follow through with creating backups. For that reason, automated online backups to a remote location via the Internet are much better." For more information on Internet backups, visit www.atbackup.com and www.carbonite.com. Safeguard Your Most Precious Business Assets. Your lists of clients, insurance companies, and vendors are the foundation for the continued health of your practice. Of all your business assets, these lists are among the most valuable and irreplaceable. You must do everything possible to make certain you have access to them in the event of a natural disaster. "If you are out of business for a few days—or longer—you need to let all of your important contacts know what is happening," Fairbrother says. "This means having an easily accessible list of all contact information. As with other business records, it's best if copies are stored off-site." Review Your Insurance Coverage. "Carefully review your insurance policy to make certain it is appropriate for your needs," says Donna Childs, CEO of Childs Capital LLC and coauthor of Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses (John Wiley & Sons, 2009). "You should have business interruption insurance to replace lost revenues if your operations are disrupted due to a disaster." According to Childs, the failure to include business interruption insurance is the most common error in disaster planning for small businesses. tune in to your practice at ABMPtv 51