Natural disasters occurred with exceptional fierceness and frequency in 2017. Hurricanes in the southern states, tornadoes in the Midwest, wildfires in the Northwest, and an earthquake to the south—we barely had time to react to one before another hit.

Without exception, we’ve learned that preparation is key to survival, both in human terms and in infrastructure. Thousands of businesses were impacted, and if statistics bear out, 40% of them will never recover enough to reopen their doors.

How Can You Prepare?

Small-to-medium businesses drive the U.S. economy, and when they’re down, everyone feels the impact. If you’ve managed to escape a natural disaster so far, we’re sincerely happy for you. But one thing 2017 has taught us is that hoping for the best while preparing for the worst is the only way to survive. Here’s what you can do:

1. Make a plan for communicating with your employees.

Natural disasters can severely limit traditional lines of communication. Outline your plan for getting in touch with your employees, starting with email and phone calls, and then use outlets like social media—a real life-saver in more than one situation during the past year.

2. Make a plan for communicating with your customers.

Letting your customers know that you’re still around after a disaster is crucial. Social media outlets are perhaps the best way to do this. Allow them to hear that you and your staff members are okay, and express your sincere concern for them. They’ll appreciate your efforts and will know how to get in touch with you when things get back to normal.

3. Back it up with Managed IT.

A data backup and disaster recovery plan can ensure your company is on the list of businesses who survive a disaster. Managed IT Services providers can manage your infrastructure, provide technology solutions, and deliver the cloud-based data backup you need to recover from a catastrophic event.

Contact us at Copier Headquarters to start a Managed IT conversation today!