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| Business Continuity |
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Six reasons to consider BCM
1 80% business failure
2 Swine flu
3 Buncefield
4 7/7 bombs
5 Customer failure
6 Woolworths/Zavvi
Take action:
Call OVC
0844 84 84 853 |
| Six Steps to Project Management |
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1. Enthusiasm
2. Disillusionment
3. Panic
4. Find the guilty
5. Punish the innocent
6. Reward non participants
There's a seventh:
Call OVC
on 0844 8484 853
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| Time out: time to think... |
Hi,
 August: traditionally a time to leave it all behind for a couple of weeks, and relax - safe in the knowledge that the business can manage for a couple of weeks whilst we recharge our batteries.
Except we don't...even without the plethora of blackberries and apples around constantly reminding us of the issues and challenges, many of us use this time to think through options and opportunities facing us. When the big decisions involve clear thinking and detailed planning, it's a great time to give yourself the time that is normally denied you.
But what will you do then. When you get back to work, and the 'normal' challenges are sitting on your desk waiting for your return, it's easy to delay, defer or delete these plans. And so, nothing changes...and the frustrations you had before you left remain outstanding; and the business issues remain unresolved...
Sometimes you should be forced into action, though:
· Swine 'flu is again hitting the media, and yet too many businesses have not yet considered the problem beyond hoping they'll get by. When their customers go to those businesses that CAN supply products and services, where will you be then? See below for a summary of help available, and for a FREE HealthCheck on your business continuity capability;
· Many businesses face a difficult autumn, with revenues remaining challenging; costs kept under the microscope; and credit still hard to come by. Yet there is funding available for those businesses with a good business plan if they act early enough to identify the issues - and act upon them. Now...
So - will you think and plan this summer - and then act.
Or, while away the hours daydreaming... |
Pandemics, panic - planning
It's not yet clear whether the media frenzy helps or hinders the case for planning against swine flu disruption, but businesses should be in little doubt that it is already
causing problems. Yet, almost unbelievably, under 40% of small and medium-sized businesses have plans in pace to deal with any kind of business disruption*. And of those, less than half of them check their plans work: although 75% of those that do find serious flaws in their planning.
Could planning ahead give you a competitive advantage over less adaptable or prepared businesses...
Tips for swine flu management:
- Review workplace hygiene: most people know the 'catch it; bin it; kill it' campaign - but are you helping them manage the problem? Put signs up to remind them; make sure your soap dispensers work; provide tissues and antiseptic wipes. Have your phones and computer keyboards wiped? Look here for the latest NHS guidelines
- Put contingency plans into place: identify your critical business processes; create a matrix of transferable skills, and identify training gaps; encourage electronic communications as opposed to face-to-face meetings; and consider deferring training or presentations. Think about asking staff to work from home, and whilst the major isps and telephone providers have confirmed to the government that they will cope, you need to check whether your business can. When did IT last review business broadband capability? Click here for an easy to follow guide to Business Continuity Management!!
- Manage staff absences: Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical advisor to the government forecasts absences close to 1 in 8 employees. Check your absence noification procedures; ensure your EAP provider can cope with potentially massive requirements, particularly as other businesses will also have demands; allow home-working where possible; consider counselling for employees who may have lost loved ones - and don't forget: no matter how inispensable you think you are, the business may have to cope without you. DirectGov has the latest medical advice
There are many other actions you can take, at the risk of making this a very long newsletter. Call for a FREE guide to Business Continuity Planning, and a FREE healthcheck on youor own plans.
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Fit for purpose...
This year sees the bicentenary of Darwin's birth, and it's good to remind ourselves that he most famously commented not on the 'survival of the fittest' but the 'survival of those most fit for purpose'.
It's an important difference, for your or your competitor's models may be the leanest, most cost-effective organisation around - but if it isn't meeting the demands placed on it, or fitting the business environment, you will struggle.
Many business owners and senior managers are rewriting their business plans now, if only because last year's projections seem a distant memory. However, many small and medium-sized businesses are intent on seeing this downturn as an opportunity, and are actively reviewing ther costs and operational models, having been shaken out of any thoughts that this is 'just another recession'. As a result, they are identifying new and sometimes innovative ways of winning business, and changing themselves to make that happen - adapting to the environment.
Oakview can help: whether facilitating such strategic discussions, running creative workshops to harness the energy of staff within your business, or working with you to implement change, we have the experience and track record to make things happen.
Call or email to take advantage of a FREE business healthcheck to identify those areas that could most benefit from attention. |
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Take Action...
So - if your business needs project management; pandemic pointers, or business planning - don't just think.
Do!
Call Oakview Consulting, and be prepared.
Yours
John Wade
Oakview Consulting Ltd
Maximising performance|Minimising risk. |
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