According to the British Standards Institution, 87 percent of businesses believe that risk management protects revenue and enhances value for money;  93 percent agreed that it improves accountability, decision making, transparency and visibility.

If an untimely crisis prevented delivery to a key client

• Would they give you a second chance?

• Would you incur financial penalties as a result of late delivery?

• Could this lead to a claim on your insurance cover?

• Would a claim be repudiated if you were not compliant?
   

Would your business survive a serious flood?

• How would electrical circuits and computer systems be affected?

• How long would it take to recover from a flood?

• How would you keep clients happy?

• How would you pay your employees in the meantime?

• Some businesses have been out of action for over 12 months
      would your clients and creditors be patient for that long?
   

If your computer or telephone systems went down now

• Would you be able to contact your clients?

• What alternative arrangements would you be able to make?

• How long would it take to put these arrangements in place?

• What could you do to make certain you have access
      to vital data, even if your computer system is destroyed?
   

Click here to test your own readiness (opens as a PDF).

If your premises or equipment suffer serious damage

• How long would your ability to fulfil client orders
      be affected?

• How easy would it be to contact your clients to let
      them know the situation?

• How would this affect your reputation?
   

A major incident will affect staff morale

• Would they stand by you or look for greater security
      elsewhere?

• What impact would their departure have on your
      business?
   

What would you do in the vital first hour?

• Panic and struggle, or implement a tested plan to ensure
      staff safety and assess the damage, knowing:
         - your target minimum service level
         - your interim desired service level leading to
            confidence and sustained recovery.

• While you are doing all this, would you be able to explain
      to people how the crisis will be managed?

• Would you know who to call first?