Business section

See also
Emergency planning

Other websites

Contacts and Maps

Maps and travel information
Maps and Travel | Contact
Home: Business full menu: Business continuity:

Frequently asked questions about business continuity

Jason Shirazi - January 2012
emergency.planning@kirklees.gov.uk

What is Business Continuity Management?

Business Continuity Management is a planning practice used to identify what aspects of your business activities and resources are essential or critical. It can help your business to develop documented plans on how to maintain «business as usual» in the event of a civil emergency or business interruption.

Business Continuity Management applies equally to individual traders and large organisations.

A range of internal or community based risks could threaten your organisation, this could include a fuel crisis, pandemic, the loss of your workplace (due to fire, flooding, etc.), theft and vandalism, communications failure, industrial action, power failures, etc.

Why is Business Continuity Management important?

No business is immune from the effects of disruption, so it makes sense to take same basic and general steps to protect the key parts of your business in advance. Poor forward planning often threatens the survival of unprepared businesses when a major emergency or serious disruption occurs.

Statistics show that 1 in 5 organisations suffer a major disruption every year and 80% of organisations affected by a major incident either never re-open or close within 18 months. The cause of the disruption can vary significantly in scale and intensity ranging from fires, floods, technology failure, to wide-scale national events such as fuel disruption, terrorism, pandemic, etc.

Incidents can quickly affect the key assets of your business. These assets can include:
  • Worksites - Buildings and premises
  • Staff and skills
  • Suppliers and partners
  • Specialist equipment and vehicles
  • Technology and communications
  • Data and information
If your business has any of the above assets and cannot function or recover quickly without them following a business interruption, you may want to seriously consider Business Continuity Management.

What are the benefits of undertaking Business Continuity Management?

It is vital to withstand serious incidents such as fire and flooding, and quickly re-open as normal. Even a relatively short interruption to normal activity can damage customer relationships and your reputation beyond repair.

Implementing Business Continuity Management can help to:
  • Safeguard your reputation and competitive edge
  • Preserve customer loyalty and trust
  • Protect financial income and key business activities
  • Protect business assets
  • Enhance business recovery following serious disruption events
  • Support insurance claims

How can Kirklees Council help?

We can give you general advice and support and signpost you to organisations that specialise in Business Continuity.

Telephone: 01484 226590
Email: emergency.planning@kirklees.gov.uk

Can emergencies affect you?

Ask yourself:
  • How long could you cope if there was a power cut or the phones went dead? How long would it be before a small inconvenience became a major problem?
  • What if an incident prevented delivery to a key customer? Would they give you another chance or go elsewhere?
  • How would a major incident affect your staff's morale? Would they stand by you or look to move on? What impact would their departure have on your business?
  • How would serious damage to your premises affect your business? How easy would it be to contact your regular customers to let them know the situation? How long would you be able to fulfil your orders? How would this affect your reputation?
A Community Risk Register has been developed jointly by the West Yorkshire local authorities and key partners, which details the main risks for the West Yorkshire area. Details can be found on the West Yorkshire Police website.

How can I assess my business continuity planning?

Undertake this simple to do 10 minute survey, the results of which will assist you in your business continuity planning process. Email emergency.planning@kirklees.gov.uk with the subject line of Survey Form for a copy of the form in Microsoft Word format.

How will we warn and inform on civil emergencies?

During a civil emergency the council's Emergency Planning Team may need to provide information to the community. Under such circumstances your organisation is advised to tune in to the local radio stations and television as well as checking the council's website.

A to Z of the website