bad things can happen to your business - fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes are just a few of the many disasters that can erase your cleaning business in just a few minutes. You have spent years building a successful cleaning business, do not let failure to plan for the worst disaster. While no one wants to think about it, planning ahead can keep your business from going under after a tragic event. Many businesses never recover from disasters: Small Business Administration (SBA), reported that in 2006 to 25 percent of businesses did not re-post disaster
.Proper planning can also get your business up and running faster and keep your business going when others in your area are still trying to get back on their feet. Red Cross and FEMA to encourage all businesses to create a disaster plan. Even if you do not have time to sit down and write full-blown plan for your cleaning business, begin to develop a plan starting with the following:
1 Create a list of phone numbers of your key employees and customers, and keep it with you. Also provide a copy of the list of key staff members.
2 Back up your computer data often and keep updated records and data off-site. If you keep paper records, be sure to backup important documents and store those in another building.
3 Make a comprehensive list of equipment, including price, date purchased, model number and serial number. Keep this updated as you buy new equipment and keep a copy of this off-site. It is also a good idea to photograph or videotape of your office equipment and supplies so that you have a visual record of the insurance and replacement purposes.
4 Consult with your insurance agent and make sure you have enough coverage. Remember, most hotels do not cover damage from floods or earthquakes. Your insurance should cover more than just your buildings. Insurance is also to cover the cost of replacing your appliances and equipment. Make sure your equipment (both cleaning and office equipment) is covered. Most insurance companies offer inland marine insurance. This will cover any equipment not stored on your property.
Keep in mind that there will be more than just a replacement equipment for cleaning, and office equipment and supplies. It May be required to rent the items temporarily until you have insurance check. Therefore, it is also important to have enough money on hand to rent the necessary equipment.
Some of the things that might be renting include:
* office space
* office furniture
* PC and printer
* phones and accessories
* Cleaning equipment (buffers, vacuums, mop buckets, etc.)
Your policy should include some kind of business interruption insurance - think of the possible situations and then decide if you need one or more months of coverage
.5 Prepare an action plan so if a disaster happens not to panic. Who will call your cleaning customers to let them know you are running behind schedule? If a natural disaster hits a large area of your customers will be scrambling to get on their feet. However, if your business experiences a fire or other incident that only affects you, it is important to keep open lines of communication with their customers. If you can not get up and running in a hurry, they May have to find another cleaning company to take care of their buildings.
5 Prepare an action plan so if a disaster happens not to panic. Who will call your cleaning customers to let them know you are running behind schedule? If a natural disaster hits a large area of your customers will be scrambling to get on their feet. However, if your business experiences a fire or other incident that only affects you, it is important to keep open lines of communication with their customers. If you can not get up and running in a hurry, they May have to find another cleaning company to take care of their buildings.
...6 Note the place where you can quickly get a replacement supplies and equipment. Is there a janitorial supplies distributor in your community who will have what you need to get up and running? Also, make note of the office supply store in your area, so you can replace office equipment.
...You've no doubt spent years building a successful cleaning business. Do not let it be destroyed in just a few minutes of unforeseen disasters. Taking time to prepare before something happens now, I can assure you that your cleaning business can keep going after the tragedy.
Copyright (c) 2007 The Janitorial Store
