The pandemic reminds businesses of the effects of a crisis to employees, operations, supply chains and customer relations. Meet disruption with clarity, confidence and calm by ensuring your business has a plan. At First United Bank & Trust, we have protocols, tools and support to assist your business in a time of crisis or uncertainty and we’re here to help. Get started by reviewing the steps below to be ready in a time of crisis.

Build Your Business Continuity Plan

A good business continuity plan should contain details regarding the following items:

• What systems and processes will be affected?
• Who must be notified during a time of crisis?
• When do specific actions need to be taken, in order of priority?
• Where will your business operate?
• How will circumstances change the way your employees work?

Getting Started

Now that you’ve identified the likely disruptions, depending on those possibilities your response will need to vary. Work to develop a continuity plan for each possible scenario. In case of potential data breach or malware attacks, notify your financial institutions immediately, as well as your customers and vendors. In a situation where payment systems might be disrupted, have backup options in place if payments need to happen remotely.

Ultimately, you want to ensure that you are protecting your employees, stabilizing your supply chain and staying in close contact with your customers.

• Put together scenario-specific health practices and evacuation plans.
• Know your protocol for securing your facilities and data.
• Analyze and adjust cash-flow budgets so that you will be able to pay employees and bills on time.
• Establish alternatives for paycheck distribution.
• Stay in close communication with existing vendors, financial institutions and external partners.
• Make it clear which suppliers and vendors you need to pay, including how much and by when.
• Consider keeping digital and printed copies of vendor-critical information.
• Prioritize transactions—time-sensitive, urgent, scheduled.
• Keep an eye on customer communication channels. Don’t overlook social media.

Locations

For some businesses, your physical location is essential for your business to continue ongoing operations. During a crisis, this might mean having alternate locations and backup facilities.

• Keep payment solutions, such as card readers and point-of-sale equipment clean and disinfected.
• Can you rapidly shift accounting operations to a different location during a crisis? Be sure you have access to the tools you need to make time-sensitive payments, such as payroll and taxes.
• You might need WiFi access or additional supplies and equipment, such as computers and deposit slips.
• Consider whether your business insurance provides coverage for a significant financial loss as the result of a closure or a disrupted supply chain.
• If your business is heavily dependent on a physical storefront, consider investing in your digital presence to help customers find you online.
• How will workflow be affected at backup locations or for employees working from home? Can they get to important resources, such as IDs, passwords and other important information?
• Confirm that remote access and login credentials are current and that employees have remote access.

Communication

To make your business contingency plan effective, you will need clear and thorough communication to everyone impacted by your business, including employees, vendors, customers, and your community.

• Assign a team to handle immediate response and employee safety.
• Name specific roles and actions for your emergency chain of command.
• Extend communication to include customers, vendors, financial institutions, public agencies and the community at large.
• Run periodic training and Q&A sessions to ensure your plan remains up-to-date and your team is prepared.
• Practice your plan periodically using a tabletop simulation.
• Regularly update or confirm emergency and contact information.

Post-Disruption

Even after business has returned to relative normalcy, you will need to stay diligent with your plans to ensure your preparedness for the next time a disruption occurs.

• Touch base with your bank and other financial service providers (CPAs, etc) to ensure order.
• Stay alert. Cybercriminals and fraudsters may attempt to take advantage of you or your employees during a crisis.
• Be empathetic to emotional needs. In some cases, your employees may need access to support resources.

No matter the disruption, remember, you’re not in this alone. We are committed to our communities, to you and to your business. Reach out to us anytime if you should need assistance.