Small Business

As fall quickly approaches, people are thinking about more than changing leaves and cooler temperatures. Health officials have been working diligently on H1N1 preparation plans to deal with the impact of the predicted outbreak.

In fact, the federal government recently awarded one million dollars in funding  to The International Centre for Infectious Diseases (ICID). In partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the ICID will develop extensive communications for small business. Projects under consideration include a web site, a phone or web-based help line and access to business continuity experts. The ICID’s initiative is designed to reach more than 300,000 small businesses to assist in the development of preparation plans.

Are you thinking about H1N1?

Couple the media hype with your immediate priorities in running your business, and H1N1 preparation planning can become a low priority. If that’s the case, you aren’t alone. According to a July 2009 BMO Bank of Montreal report:

 82 per cent of small business owners have not developed a health-related continuity plan.

 Only one in 10 have either developed or reviewed a health-related continuity plan stemming from the H1N1 virus scare.

Know what’s at risk

The International Centre for Infectious Diseases estimates that at the height of the flu outbreak, absentee rates could rise as high as 20 per cent. If people can’t come to work because they are sick or are caring for sick children or parents, it will affect how you operate your business day to day.

You’ll have to find alternative methods for regular, yet business-critical, daily tasks including:

  Staff meetings to plan projects or update on business status

  Client meetings to approve projects or close new business

  Servicing customers at your location (i.e. retail, restaurant)

  Inventory purchasing, delivery and management

  Delivery and payment for services businesses (i.e. restaurants)

Keep your business running

If your employees can’t make it to work or your customers can’t make it to your location, here are five simple things that you can do to prepare so you can keep your business running, servicing your existing customers and stepping in for your less-prepared competitors:

  Educate your employees – learn about H1N1, symptoms, how to avoid getting sick, proper hygiene/hand washing to stem the spread and taking the time to recover properly if they do get sick.

  Plan for telework – equip business-critical employees with the tools that they need (phone, smartphone, fast Internet, conferencing, collaboration) so they can work at home if required.

  Know what’s critical – identify essential business functions and make sure that you have people to cover them (i.e. answer phones, fill orders)

  Boost your online capabilities – add capabilities for selling online and prepare marketing plans that include email and/or social media so customers know that you’re still open for business if they’re apprehensive about coming to your location.

  Add suppliers – have alternate suppliers available in case your existing partners face business disruptions that can affect if and when you get your inventory or supplies.

By following some basic steps, you can prepare your employees and your business for H1N1 to help to ensure that both your people and your bottom line stay healthy.

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