BUSINESS DEPENDS ON PEOPLE

By Jakob Steinberg, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University Don Saracco, VP Human Resources & External Affairs, MLC & Associates

Traditionally, business recovery focused solely on the physical plant, computer systems and telecommunications networks after an event. Now, Human Resource recovery is becoming recognized as an essential element in business continuity. Companies have begun to include mitigation and recovery strategies for the critical element that makes them successful every day—their people!

The human component of the disaster plan includes a wide spectrum of issues that should be considered. A few of these are:

• The value of team building in preparing employees for response and recovery
• The recovery needs of employees that result from a crisis or disaster
• The personal concerns of employees that arise after a crisis or disaster

Team building strategies will enhance the mitigation and recovery efforts of an organization. It has been clearly established that business continuity is dependent on effective planning, continuous improvement of skills through deliberate practice and the integration of all organization functions in mitigation and recovery processes.

A few basic strategies can be applied to build and strengthen the teams we count on for the continuity of the organization:

• Tell the truth, it builds trust.
• Invest in training and education; continuous learning is absolutely necessary in order to keep up with change and maintain readiness.
• Build teamwork deliberately; create shared accountability, information and experience for people who might need to work together.
• Make planning and problem-solving inclusive.
• Work on developing change management and coping strategies in your organization by design rather than by painful experiences.
• Communicate, communicate and communicate. No matter how hard you try, you will make mistakes. So communicate relentlessly.

Crisis recovery needs of employees should be addressed in the disaster plan. Employees need access to consultation and services to help them prepare for traumatic events and to help them recover after such events. Training can be customized to address the specific hazards faced by the business and/or the community. Businesses can implement preventive and responsive programs that include:

• Development of comprehensive crisis intervention plans, protocols and staffing for response
• Consultation and training of employees
• Positioning of specialized resources (i.e. Crisis Intervention Team) for effective response

Personal needs of employees must be anticipated. Taking care of the needs of employees after a crisis makes good sense.

A business can’t operate without its employees and employees will not be available to the company until their personal/family needs are handled. Consider the range of services you can offer to your employees—before, during and after a disaster

• Education and training on safety procedures
• Stocking of emergency equipment and supplies
• Encouragement and education for home and family preparedness
• Establishment of communication links with family members
• Salary concerns
• Assistance with day care and shelter needs

Planning for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity is the responsibility of every sophisticated corporation and organization. The wise planner will build plans that place priority on people—on their needs and their role in business continuity.

For more information:
Contact Jakob Steinberg at (973)586-8770 or by email at crisismgmt@nac.net

Don Saracco at (714) 222-1202 or by email at dsarac@mlc2resq.com