When you own a small business, there’s a lot to think about when the weather gets bad. Large ice and snowstorms can cause power outages, web and phone service to stop working and plenty of headaches around the property.
A savvy business owner will have a plan in place for dealing with any issues that might pop up. A winterizing plan should include having a backup generator for power concerns, having a strategy for salting and shoveling when it’s snowy and icy, having a place to store coats so they’re not a trip hazard, keeping floors dry and signs up when people are tracking in moisture, and having your data backed up in case of power loss.
Additionally, one has to consider property concerns. One should ensure pipes are insulated; the heating system is up to date and up to code; the roof is strong and able to withstand the harsh realities of winter.
Also keep in mind that winter is flu season, which can mean sick employees and reduced productivity. It’s always good to have a few extra workers on call that can fill in for any last-minute employee absentees.
Another thing to consider is insurance. Ted Devine, CEO of Insureon, says small businesses should get contingent business interruption insurance, which can replace the income one isn’t able to earn because of weather disruption to a supplier.
“This is a coverage that kicks in when a covered property event shuts down one of your suppliers or another business you rely on,” he says. “For example, if you’re a maple syrup retailer in California and you get shipments from Maine and there’s a terrible blizzard in Maine that shuts down all the roads and keeps your supplier from getting a shipment to you, you won’t be able to sell your product for a few days, even though the weather near you is fine.”
Winter-proofing is different for every industry; restaurant owners have different concerns than a clothing store, so another great tip is to talk with a risk management professional who understands your industry and can work with you on stopping any problems that can pop up.
For example, caregivers have a demanding hands-on job that makes a difference in the lives of the people who depend on them to show up for work no matter what the weather. Caregivers can’t telecommute.
After experiencing a host of problems last year, Jim and Gaye Aaberg of SYNERGY HomeCare in Bloomington, Ill., are now experts in winter proofing their business. They are using lessons learned from the last season of snowstorms to avoid operational obstacles in the future.
Among their plans for this winter season are preparing vehicles with snow gear to be able to pick up caregivers and drop them at clients homes so there is no lapse in care; they purchased a second all-wheel drive car as a backup vehicle; they identified caregivers (who are not live-in) willing to stay at a client’s home in order to make morning shifts; and they even set up an apartment in an empty office for caregivers to stay close by.
Remember, the important thing for any business is to keep people safe and secure. By taking a few small precautions and planning ahead for emergencies, business should be able to go on as planned despite what the weather is outside.
small business, strategy, risk management, data