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Find out why Organisation Continuity Planning is central to the continued survival of your organisation after a Major Disruptive Event.
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What is organisation continuity planning?
Business continuity is a systematic approach that equips your team, organisation and stakeholders to adopt a responsive approach to, and recover from operational disruptions. Think of business continuity planning as insurance.
Business owners, effective leaders and executive-level decision makers
While business continuity is often viewed from a leadership perspective, effective planning requires involvement at all organizational levels. Here's why organization-wide participation is crucial:
Business continuity is fundamentally a systematic approach that requires the entire team to adapt to and recover from disruptions. This means everyone needs to understand and be prepared to execute their role in the recovery process.
Practical risk assessment requires input from all levels to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities to operations. Different departments and team members may spot unique risks that leadership might miss.
Recovery strategies need to be practical and implementable across all business functions. Staff involvement ensures these strategies are realistic and can be executed effectively when needed.
Additionally, workers (employees, contractors, senior managers, and Executive Board members) at all levels need to be familiar with emergency protocols and communication channels to ensure a coordinated response during disruptions. Clear documentation and regular training sessions help maintain this operational readiness across the organisation.
Regular testing and maintenance of continuity plans require participation from all staff members to ensure the plans actually work in practice. This helps identify gaps and areas for improvement in the planning process.
A well-executed continuity plan helps protect relationships with all stakeholders and demonstrates organisational preparedness. Employees who understand their role and importance in maintaining business continuity can better serve customers and preserve the organisation's reputation during challenging times.