What is ISO 22301?
ISO 22301 is the business continuity management standard and has been developed to protect companies from the risks associated with downtime which can occur due to unexpected disruptions or disasters. Having a business continuity plan prevents loss of revenue and will allow your company to continue to deliver products or services and meet customer requirements even in the event of an incident.
Preventing disasters is crucial so you do not have to pay for the consequences, however, this doesn’t stop the unthinkable from happening. Creating a detailed action plan where roles are assigned to employees and alternative resources are discussed is vital. Backup resources such as an alternative working space, laptops, and any other necessary resources should be provided so that employees can give the same high customer satisfaction as usual from another space. This could apply if there was a power outage for example.
Staff Awareness
Ensuring that staff are informed of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a disaster is extremely important. In the event of a disruption, employees should know exactly what their role is and carry out their duties without confusion. Roles should be clearly defined so that no further disruption occurs because of miscommunication.
Communication with Stakeholders
One thing we are great at doing in a digital world is staying in touch. Use communication channels to your advantage if possible and provide reassurance to employees if there is an incident. Keeping everyone informed helps minimise errors – which is the last thing you want to worry about when you’re facing disruption.
Contacting customers if applicable, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders is equally as important. Make sure they are aware of the situation as this can help reduce dissatisfaction. Most people will appreciate the honesty and it helps you to work towards a resolution.
Ensuring the Backup Plan?
What is the point in implementing a business continuity plan if it isn’t going to be effective? Regularly testing your business continuity plan is possibly the most important take away from this article. The best way to do this is through a roundtable exercise with your staff. Checking equipment and that employees are aware of any changes ensures that less errors are made in the continuity plan.
Get Started with ISO
If you want to be able to meet the needs of your customers and other key stakeholders in the event of a disruption, then becoming certified in ISO 22301 is necessary for your organisation.
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