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In the current economy, it's difficult to focus on business continuity... on the other hand, it's the best time to focus on it. Things like layoffs, cutbacks in services, vendor failures... these all can have an impact on your continuity of operations. The possibility of a pandemic also should focus us more on how to keep operating. The articles below will provide you with information that may help you stay prepared for the worst.

The world economic crisis is having an impact on business continuity, disaster recovery, and risk management. But there are some opportunities among the darkening clouds... (Item #1) In the current economic downturn the loss of a day's business is felt even more acutely then in normal economic conditions. (Item #2) In the good times, we can simply argue that everyone should have business continuity; in the bad times, we need hard proof of its payback. (Item #3)

Read what company learned through the experience of an unplanned business interruption. (Item #4) You need to adopt flexible working practices - not just because employees increasingly expect them, but because they make your business much more resilient to disruptive events, large and small. (Item #5) Good business continuity plans will keep your company up and running through interruptions of any kind. (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 bmellinger@attainium.net

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"Planning is an unnatural process; it is much more fun to do something.
And the nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise;
rather than being proceeded by a period of worry and depression."
- Sir John Harvey-Jones -

Articles

1. Business Continuity during a Recession
The value of a business continuity program depends upon the probability of it being used, and if a company is less likely to be here tomorrow for market or economic reasons, then it is less likely that there will ever be the opportunity for a disaster recovery plan to be put into effect. Even if the chances of the plan being used are less, the value of the plan is probably more than most people think. But there's also another factor to consider: recessions amplify risks.
http://www.riskythinking.com/articles/article38.php

2. The economic downturn and business continuity management
Traditional business continuity plans have mainly focused on dealing with operational disruptions resulting from a loss of site access, non-availability of critical information, the failure of IT and telecom systems and, for any number of reasons, the non-availability of staff. These hazards certainly have not gone away in the current climate, however newer disruptions have gained prominence.
http://www.contingencytoday.com/online_article/The%20economic%20downturn%20and%20business%20continuity%20management/1844

3. Business continuity management in a recession: luxury or necessity?
Is BCM a luxury or a necessity in the present recession? The real issues probably have not changed because of the recession: they have just been brought into greater focus under the new financial microscope.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0666.html

4. Real-Life Experiences with Business Continuity
When a disaster occurs, it often reveals the true measure of an organization's preparedness. An unplanned business interruption occurred recently in the company where Rich Schiesser works. This article presents some of the valuable lessons the company learned from this event.
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=102203

5. Flexible working and business continuity
Competition, regulation and other predictable challenges make business tough enough, but at least they affect all companies equally. What can really bring an organization to its knees are the unpredictable and highly selective 'acts of God and man' - floods, fires, terrorist attacks and the like - that have the potential to cripple a business while leaving its competitors unscathed.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0647.html

6. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning: The Basics
Disaster recovery and business continuity planning are processes that help organizations prepare for disruptive events-whether those events might include a hurricane or simply a power outage caused by a backhoe in the parking lot. This primer (compiled from articles on CSOonline) explains the basic concepts of business continuity planning and also directs you to more resources on the topic.
http://www.csoonline.com/article/204450/Business_Continuity_and_Disaster_Recovery_Planning_The_Basics