When you combine the effect of COVID-19 on the way that we do business, and the civil unrest that is sporadically uprising across the US, it becomes clear that this is a challenging time for entrepreneurs. However, adversity comes with opportunity for those who are willing to weather the storm. Returning to business after riots have run rampant in your area without any loss to productivity or stocks will help you emerge as the go-to company for people trying to restore balance from their own chaos. The country has more to overcome than the challenges that anticipated with the economy reopening, but keep these tips in mind, and you’ll come out okay.
Move Data, Backups & Assets Off-Site
Start by safeguarding your assets. Yes, insurance may cover your equipment and inventory, but no business needs the time-consuming hassle of replacing or claiming for it. Rather remove all your expensive stock, computers, data backups, and any office or workshop supplies that carry a high cost. Even if you think that you’re far from the chaos, rather play it safe and lock up with the bare minimum inside.
Do A Full Stock-Take
You need to take stock of everything, no exceptions. Get all the receipts for everything that you can. Create a list of your entire inventory and take videos of everything that you want to prove you have. Make sure that you apply a date-stamp and don’t skimp on the details. All of your offices, storerooms, fixtures, aesthetic or building upgrades, customer stock, repairs, anything and everything that’s a part of your business. Preparing complete stock-take guarantees that no matter the disaster, you’re covered without needing to rely on memory or the limited proof on hand.
Video Everything
In addition to taking stock of your entire premises, all property fixtures, and any non-removable assets, you must have video footage of everything. This is not optional. An infrequently updated video archive of the company grounds, building, and its contents is an ever-valuable tool should anything go wrong. It’s irrefutable evidence that’ll be essential for keeping track of any potential damages. Make sure that the video clips themselves are stored, named and sorted for easy reference while keeping the video either off-site or on secure cloud storage.
Get Your Staff To Safety
The well-being of your staff is imperative. Get everyone involved to shut down quicker rather than having them at risk trying to get the most out of the business day. There’s nothing more valuable than human safety, so get your assets in order, inventory filmed, and let your people go home as early as possible. The marred reputation from having your staff harmed or frightened by civil unrest isn’t something that you’d be able to escape from easily for many years, if at all.
Get Yourself To Safety
Protecting your business doesn’t mean being the last man standing when things go belly-up. While it is quite natural for each of us to want to protect our establishment and belongings, the only safe, realistic course of action is to evacuate. Safeguard what you can, following our aforementioned advice, but don’t stay on the property for a minute longer than you have to. Remaining on the property doesn’t only put your well-being at risk, but you’d end up being a hindrance to authorities arriving on the scene first.
Get To Know Your Community
One of the best ways to protect your business from any future acts of civil unrest is to make sure that the local community knows you. Make a point of communicating with employees, business owners, and clients from your locality. The chances are that any riot will be composed of tenants and customers from the area. Knowing you on a personal level may leave your property free from any unwarranted acts of looting or vandalism.
Handling A Potential Uprising Or Disturbance
If you notice a disturbance building, then don’t look on from inside your office while hoping it doesn’t escalate. Avoid conflict by closing up shop quickly and calmly. Secure the building by locking your doors and devise an exit strategy. Contact local law enforcement if none are already on the scene. Avoid any demonstrators while leaving if possible, but if you are approached, don’t lash out in anger. Your life and the well-being of your staff are the only thing of importance. Money and belongings should be handed over freely if faced with such a dire predicament. Get away to safety, avoid crowds, and remain calm.
Develop A Disaster Plan
Periods of civil unrest must be handled in the same way that you would treat any other disaster. Create a disaster plan to allow you to act swiftly during any type of incident ranging from unrest to weather, power failures, and severe spread of the pandemic itself. Develop a realistic plan of action, contacting the authorities for information regarding their disaster mitigation approach. Determine your insurance coverage by contacting your provider and discussing disasters and disaster types. Perform a complete assessment of your premises and company assets, including a security audit to gauge potential improvement areas. Set out a fixed sequence of events depicting your action plan in motion. Prepare a document stored off-site containing all contact information for everyone in the company, legal representation, local law enforcement, and your insurance information. It must be available both physically and digitally. Make sure that everyone in the company is briefed on the plan, with infrequent training given when the situation is applicable.
Plan Ahead To Handle Any Crisis
Heated situations can get out of control quickly. The only true way to be protected is to prepare beforehand. If your company and staff are armed with well-structured protocols for handling civil unrest, even severe, then everyone will come out safely, and your business will be covered by due process. No one likes having to consider the possibility of being hit by vandalism, looting, ill-directed fires, or any other effect of social injustices, but accepting the reality of it as a possibility grants you peace of mind and total protection. We encourage you to speak to other entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners to learn how they’re handling preparation, while at the same time sharing your own valuable insight learned. MyOpportunity.com has everything that you need to get connected with those around you, as well as leads, job opportunities, and other vital company contacts. Our AI-powered search has you covered.
