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Regardless of your business continuity needs - a plan, an update, training, testing - getting management behind them is the key to getting them done. When you get ready to propose changes or new projects, you need to get management behind you or your project may never get off the ground. In today's economic climate, it's even more important to be aware of how critical management buy-in is and what role the economy is playing in business continuity. This week's articles can help you secure that buy-in.

No matter what you're doing, this article can help you figure out how to get management on your side. (Item #1) Using the techniques of sales people, getting management buy-in can be easier than you think. (Item #2) Most people would agree that getting approval for training can be difficult; here is some help to get what you need. (Item #3)

Aside from giving the go-ahead, what is management's role in the disaster recovery process? (Item #4) Is the economic downtown causing management to cut back on measures that may be needed to survive threats from the downturn? (Item #5) Your need for disaster recovery preparedness does not decrease as the economy takes a dive. (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"People don't resist change. They resist being changed!"
- Peter Senge -

Articles

1. How to get senior management buy-in
The first rule to obtain senior management buy-in and to gain credibility is to deliver on the three dimensions: quality, time and format. Quality means your end product - a report, a presentation or recommendations - have to match expectations, that the numbers have to be verified and be correct, and that you are answering the questions. Time means you do not miss a deadline. Format means if you are to provide a one-page summary, you should stick with your commitment instead of producing a 15-page document.
http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/63/1/8

2. Selling BCP to Upper Management
Here are some tips for helping you get that all-important management buy-in for your BCP.
http://www.ketchconsulting.com/articles/10tipsSellingBCP.html

3. Getting Top Management's Buy-In
The challenge of securing senior management's commitment to training can be more laborious than completing the actual learning experiences. The key to getting top management to champion training initiatives is to provide a clear picture of expected results.
http://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp?nr_page=3&ch_id=402&article_id=19343&cat_id=2071

4. Management's role in disaster recovery planning
On a day-to-day basis, management won't have a dramatic role in Disaster Recovery (DR). However, senior management within the organization, even if you are a very small shop, will be required for some key portions of your DR plan to effectively work. Managers and C-level officers' responsibilities start with budgetary and other approvals, and then evolve into advisory roles that will allow you to get the rest of the company on board with the plan.
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5839874.html

5. What's the Economic Downturn Really Doing to Crisis Management?
The global economic downturn has forced many organizations to reduce operating costs. The irony is that this cost reduction has reduced security and emergency management capabilities which are required more than ever because of threats from this downturn.
http://www.drj.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=What-s-the-Economic-Downturn-Really-Doing-to-Crisis-Management-.html&Itemid=170

6. Economic downturn must not tempt companies to scale-down disaster preparedness
Spurred by a worsening outlook for the US economy, many companies are taking a hard look at information technology expenditures to identify projects that can be cut or deferred. However, the business needs for available data and regulatory compliance requirements do not slow down, even in the face of an economic downturn.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/news03799.htm